Federal Government Addressing Root Cause of Power Sector Problems – Minister
By: Olubunmi Osoteku
The Federal Government has said it is addressing the root cause of the problems bedeviling the power sector, in order to find a lasting solution.
The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, who gave the hint while fielding questions from journalists shortly after meeting with some party stakeholders at the Oyo State APC Secretariat, Oke Ado, Ibadan, said President Bola Tinubu is ready and showing the needed determination to change the face of things in the power sector.
He noted that the President is more concerned with all the problems associated with all the value chains of the sector, stating that the recent improvements in the sector is not the eldorado being targeted by the administration.
Adelabu disclosed that the target of the President Tinubu-led government is a situation whereby every Nigerian will be able to enjoy adequate, stable, functional and reliable power supply.
He said: “We are addressing all the problems associated with all the segments of the power sector value chain, from gas supply to generation, to transmission, to distribution and to the customers themselves. There are a lot of things that we are doing that Nigerians will soon start seeing.
“Yes, there are pockets of improvements here and there, but that is not where we are going. We are still going to eldorado whereby every Nigerian will be able to enjoy adequate, stable, functional and reliable power supply,” the minister affirmed.
He appealed to Nigerians to exercise patience because the pains being experienced is a journey and not a destination, saying pains and damages are suffered during repairs but citizens will soon start seeing improvements and the temporary pains will turn to gains.
Adelabu stated: “So, while we are repairing, people must help us bear the little pain that will come with it, but at the end of the day we will make gains. For you to make an omelet, you must break the egg. This is the period of breaking the egg, and very soon, we will start eating our omelet. I am determined to solve the problems in the power sector and Nigrians will start singing our good songs very soon.”
Speaking on effort to address the meter gaps in the country, the minister said President Tinubu has taken it seriously by setting up a Presidential Metering Initiative (PMI) and committed a seed capital of about N75billion to ensure that atleast 2million meters are installed for Nigerians within the next five years.
Adelabu revealed that the PMI will harmonise all other mass metering initiatives under one umbrella and wil ensure that the project takes off immediately.
He stated: “Mr President has made me the Chairman of the Presidential Metering Initiative (PMI). The PMI will harmonise all other mass metering initiatives under one umbrella and we will ensure that the project takes off immediately. We already have a seed capital of N75billion with which we are still going to raise some more capital to ensure that we buy meters in bulk”.
Adelabu assured that at least a minimum of 2million meters will be installed in homes, offices and industries over the nest five years, so that the close to 8million gaps that already exist will be a thing of the past by the time the Tinubu-led administration is rounding off.
Olusola Akintonde
