The Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, has been commended by the House of Representative over the current improvement in Power supply across the country.
The House’s Committee on Power gave the commendation on Monday during an oversight visit to the ministry’s headquarters in Abuja, according to a statement made available on Tuesday by the Minister’s Special Adviser on Strategic Communication and Media Relations, Bolaji Tunji.
Led by the Committee Chairman, Hon. Victor Nwokolo, the members observed that the measures put in place to increase power supply is yielding the desired results and significant improvement has been recorded as businesses have began to pick up against what obtained in the past.
Nwokolo however noted that there is much to be done in securing the power infrastructure in the nation as vandalism poses a major threat in sustaining the success recorded in the power supply.
“Let me commend the Minister on this milestone achievement. It is no longer the same old story. Today, we are seeing something different in the electricity supply across the country. A lot of businesses that were shut down for lack power are now picking and opening up again.
“However, Nigerians have to change their attitude to public infrastructure. It is disheartening to see how vandals destroy these infrastructure that are so expensive to build. I think we may need our local vigilantes to protect these facilities against these vandals. We cannot be spending so much to achieve all these and some people will just come overnight and steal them away.
“These achievements are laudable and commendable. A lot of people have lost hope on this power issue. But what you have done to restore this hope and confidence is highly commendable and we hope and wish you and your team will sustain it”, Nwokolo said.
Addressing the members, Chief Adelabu said the Power sector is very key to the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the President is eager to see that Nigerians enjoy stable and constant electricity supply.
The Minister said the ministry is ready to work and partner with the National Assembly to ensure that the objectives set out by President Tinubu is achieved.
According to the Minister, the transformation and reforms being carried out by the ministry made the improvement in the power supply possible.
He called on the NASS to consider increased budgetary allocation to the ministry in view of the strategic importance that the ministry holds in the reform efforts of President Tinubu.
He also admonished the members to educate their constituents on the policies and reforms of the President, which in the over all would be beneficial to all Nigerians.
“The President, as we all know is a listening person. His determination to ensure that Nigeria is redeemed and made to work for all of us is his determination.
He understands our pains and honesty, he knows what we are all going through. But he is determined to ensure that what has hindered our development and growth as a nation is addressed once and for all.
Without pain, there can not be gain. Some of the decisions that appear painful today are gains for us tomorrow. Very soon, there will also be good news that you will take back to your constituents.
“Within the short period that this administration came on board, we have been able to increase the power generation to 5155 megawatts from what we met at about 4000 megawatts. Let me tell you that we have a power sector that is more active and vibrant now.
“Let me also inform you that the improvement we are witnessing now is not just because of the current rain fall, but because of our decisive and bold initiative. 80 per cent of our generation is from the gas powered generation while 20 percent is from the hydro, so the rains have no input into the improvement we are witnessing now”, the Minister said.
He requested that the NASS members come out with a legislation will provide for stringent punishment for power theft, power infrastructural vandalism and electricity bill default.
He said the ministry will soon send a bill to the NASS on local content for the power sector infrastructure.
