Joseph Tegbe, Nigeria’s new Minister of Power, has cautioned Nigerians against expecting an instant improvement in the country’s energy supply, claiming that the problems facing the industry are the consequence of decades of neglect and cannot be fixed in a few of months.
Speaking at the Presidential Villa in Abuja following President Bola Tinubu’s inauguration, Tegbe recognized customer annoyance but insisted that ongoing changes are starting to show dividends throughout the electrical value chain.
His comments coincide with the fact that, in spite of several government initiatives and large investments in the industry, homes and businesses are still struggling with unstable power supplies.
Tegbe stated that the administration is concentrating on resolving fundamental flaws in the production, transmission, and distribution of electricity, emphasizing that significant and long-lasting improvements would necessitate perseverance, consistent policy implementation, and continuous investment.
“These issues have existed for decades and have prevented this industry from reaching its full potential. They won’t be completely undone for weeks or months, the minister stated.
“I will not promise what I cannot deliver, but I will continue to communicate honestly with you at every stage, and I promise visible improvement as you have been seeing,” he continued.
The minister disclosed that after being confirmed by the Senate, he has consulted with key players in the electricity industry and devised a plan to enhance execution, bolster accountability, and provide quantifiable outcomes.
He claims that the sector’s agencies and operators have shown a willingness to assist the government’s goals, and conversations with foreign development partners have created new avenues for funding.
Additionally, we have had fruitful conversations with financial partners and foreign development organizations who have indicated a readiness to support the electricity industry with liquidity. This is a big vote of support for our measures,” Tegbe stated.
The minister cited current advancements in the industry to bolster his optimism. One of these is the Niger Delta Power Holding Company’s revitalization of the 450 megawatt Alaoji Open Cycle Power Plant in Abia State following three years of dormancy. According to him, the facility can currently transmit up to 375 megawatts of power to the national grid.
He also mentioned the Transmission Company of Nigeria’s energization of new transmission facilities in the states of Abuja, Oyo, and Ogun, characterizing the initiatives as significant steps toward enhancing grid stability and lowering network limitations.
Tegbe went on to mention that after a 100MVA transformer failed, areas of Abuja had their electrical supply restored in less than a day. He said that this quick action demonstrated increased operational efficiency in the industry.
Regarding consumer protection, the minister brought attention to the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission’s recent order mandating that distribution companies reimburse qualified Band A customers who were impacted by supply shortages earlier this year.
He claims that the ruling shows how committed the government is to upholding accountability and safeguarding consumers while changes are ongoing.
Tegbe emphasized that the Tinubu administration is still dedicated to increasing access to dependable electricity and building a power sector that can sustain economic expansion, industrial development, and job creation in spite of the obstacles that lie ahead.
“Reliable and reasonably priced electricity for all Nigerian homes, businesses, and industries, 24/7,” he declared.
“That trip is somewhat lengthy. However, under President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, we are definitely moving in the right direction. We’re going to keep going. We will continue to provide. And the advancements will continue to occur.
On April 30, President Tinubu nominated Tegbe as minister of power, and a week later, the Senate approved his nomination. His nomination puts him at the forefront of one of the administration’s most important reform initiatives, and there are strong hopes that long-term gains in the supply of energy will boost investor confidence and enable more extensive economic expansion.
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