In a move aimed at addressing the persistent challenges in the nation’s power supply, the Federal Government has announced the acquisition of 10 mobile power stations.
The revelation came from the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, during a meeting with the Forum of Commissioners of Energy in Nigeria on Wednesday.
The gathering, attended by representatives from 23 states, served as a platform for the Minister to reiterate collaboration between the Federal and State governments in their shared commitment to achieving consistent power supply.
Adelabu, in a press statement released on Thursday, and signed by the Special Adviser, Strategic Communications and Media Relations, Ministry of Power, Bolaji Tunji, expressed optimism about the imminent resolution of power-related challenges.
During the forum, Adelabu urged patience from the public, assuring that the recent acquisition of mobile power stations marks a significant step towards overcoming power failures.
“We are poised to address the root cause of the electricity challenge. We have done enough diagnostics, we know the cause of the problem, and we are now in the implementation stage. We have realised that in the past, temporary solutions were applied to the challenges without dealing with the root cause”, he said
Adelabu urged both the Federal and State governments to seize the opportunity and collaborate effectively.
“You can always call on me to intervene, I will stand by you and I know once the States start to perform and take up further responsibilities, it means I have also performed.
“When each of the States starts getting involved, there would be healthy rivalry akin to what we used to have in the days of regional government”.
Adelabu highlighted Abia State, emphasising Geometrics Power Limited’s 188-megawatt plant that provides electricity to seven to eight local government areas in the state.
“They enjoy 24-hour power supply; this is what we want States to also adopt. It might look difficult, but with tenacity and if we endure, it is achievable”, he said.
The Minister recommended that State governments engage in their states’ distribution networks and address the metering gap.
“You can then discuss with the DISCOs how to capitalise your investment. State government can get involved in picking the executive management of the DISCOs. You already have about 40 per cent of the shares of the DISCOs. You need to discuss this with the Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI) on the shares. If a State buys about 10, 000 meters, all that needs to be done is to agree with the DISCOs on capitalising the investment”.
“You should know who you are dealing with at the State level and if you invest in the power infrastructure, you would know who to hold responsible. It is easy for the States and DISCOs to work together on distribution. As a State, you are in a position to know the unserved and the underserved or where there are weak infrastructures that States can invest in. Once we can attend the challenges from 36 points, we will have solved a lot of our electricity problems”, he said.
Earlier, Prince Eka Williams, Chairman of the Forum and Commissioner of Power and Energy, Cross River State, reiterated unwavering support for the Federal government’s visions, ideas, and electricity reforms.
He highlighted the Electricity Act, assigning states the responsibility for managing electricity affairs.
Williams underscored the states’ readiness to collaborate and address fundamental challenges, emphasising the Minister’s call for partnership as crucial.
