By Adedapo Adesanya
The new Minister of Power, Mr Adebayo Adelabu, has assured that the federal government would empower Nigerians through stable and accessible electricity as he took office following his swearing-in on Monday.
The Minister faces a herculean task as the country’s power sector is marred by several challenges. The country has the largest energy access deficit, with 43 per cent (or 85 million Nigerians) of the country’s population without access to grid-connected electricity.
Nigeria’s electric power consumption per capita of 145KwH falls behind those of select peers, South Africa (4,198KwH) and Ghana (351KwH), as well as the average for lower middle-income countries of 811KwH.
Nigeria has a capacity of more than 13,000 megawatts, of which a daily average of about 3,400 megawatts is dispatched to consumers. The country is not able to fully utilise its power network due to poor transmission and distribution networks.
Speaking in Abuja, he said under his administration, every home, industry, school, and business will benefit from the government’s efforts.
To achieve the feat, Mr Adelabu said the ministry will leverage the Nigerian Electricity Act 2023 to boost the power supply in the country.
The Nigerian Electricity Act 2023 provides a comprehensive legal and institutional framework for the operation of a fully privatised, cost and service-reflective tariff and contract.
The Act also provides a rule-based competitive electricity market in Nigeria and repeals the following Acts: Electric Power Sector Reform Act, 2005.
According to him, the ministry will diligently provide optimal solutions for Nigeria’s power needs across the nation.
He said that the task was not merely a requirement but an expectation from both the President and the Nigerian populace who had endured years of power challenge.
“This responsibility weighs heavily upon us, and it is with conviction, divine guidance, and the support of President Tinubu, the National Assembly, government agencies and Nigerians that I pledge my commitment to achieve success in the power sector.
“Key to success will be an unwavering dedication to efficiency and collaboration,” he said.
Mr Adelabu said that the ministry would foster robust partnerships between the private and public sectors, working collectively to enhance the nation’s economic and social well-being.
“Our focus will extend to aspects of life that truly matter: from households to small businesses, educational institutions to massive industrial productions, and beyond.
“A significant goal is the universal metering of households and addressing the challenges faced by our national power grid.
“We will equally pay critical attention to the options of renewable and alternative energies. The world is indeed going towards this direction, and Nigeria must not be left behind,” he said.
The minister said that the ministry would also leverage the power of technology and the bursting energies of talented youths to achieve its desired objectives.
He said that this would be pursued by ensuring a robust handshake between the ministry’s ICT apparatus and the emerging technological ideas of young Nigerians to accelerate the envisaged transformation.
“Through this, we are convinced we will deliver services that would match the speed and values that the 21st-century economy demands.
The minister expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for affording him the exceptional opportunity to serve as the minister of power in his administration.
“Recognising that there are numerous deserving and qualified Nigerians for this role, I am truly humbled that the President has entrusted me with this vital task as we collectively envision the growth and prosperity of our nation,” he said.
Modupe Gbadeyanka