The Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu has reaffirmed the federal government’s commitment to transforming the nation’s power sector.
Chief Adelabu reaffirmed the government’s commitment on Thursday while speaking at the 4th Edition of the Annual Workshop of the Power Correspondents Association of Nigeria (PCAN) in Abuja.
He said: “The government remains fully committed to transforming Nigeria’s power sector through meaningful and actionable reforms.
“We are focused on ensuring that our policies are not only visionary but also practical, impactful, and sustainable.
“From the ongoing efforts to address infrastructure gaps, enhance power generation, and improve transmission networks, to the vital reforms in distribution and the full implementation of the electricity market, we are resolute in our mission to improve the power supply for every Nigerian,” he said.
Represented by the Director Renewable and Rural Power Access, Dr. Sunday Owolabi, the Minister called for collective action towards the transformation of the sector
“As we transition from words to action, I call on all stakeholders, including investors, regulators, and yes, the media—represented here by the Power Sector Correspondents Association—to play their critical roles in this transformation,” he added.
While stating that the road ahead will not be without challenges, Adelabu said, “by embracing innovation, strengthening collaborations, and focusing on implementation, we will make the transition from talk to action.”
He noted the critical role of the media in
informing the public, holding government accountable, and providing constructive feedback as the government strives to build a resilient power sector that meets the needs of the growing nation.
Also speaking, the Managing Director of the Nigerian Electricity Managing Services Agency (NEMSA), Engr. Aliyu Tahir said, the gathering provided an invaluable opportunity for reflection, learning, and collaboration among the key players who shape Nigeria’s Power sector, particularly in their shared mission to provide safe, reliable, and sustainable power to all Nigerians.
He underscored the crucial role of PCAN in creating awareness, disseminating accurate information, and fostering transparency within the industry, noting the invaluable contribution of the association to reporting and educating the public on power-related issues.
While acknowledging the various challenges and milestones recorded in the sector this year, from the rapid expansion of infrastructure to the modernisation efforts aimed at enhancing operational efficiency and safety across the country, the NEMSA boss noted that the agency has been proactive in addressing the challenges, and had made significant strides in electrical safety and quality management to support the stability and reliability of the nation’s power systems.
“Our mandate is clear; to ensure that every Nigerian has access to safe electricity, and to protect lives and property by upholding quality standards in the sector,” Engr. Tahir added.
He said, the agency was keen on strengthening partnership with other stakeholders in promoting a culture of excellence, innovation, and responsibility.
Earlier, the PCAN Chairman, Mr Obas Esiedesa, acknowledged the significant efforts being made in the sector, including the proactive steps by various states through the Electricity Act, the planned unbundling of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), the move towards a bilateral trading market, and the introduction of new power plants.
However, he said, the persistent issues with grid reliability and the challenges with the national grid system, even after 11 years of privatisation, calls for concern.
“Our concerns are heightened by the fact that these issues persist despite the Service-Based Tariff and the increased tariffs for Band A customers. Although the meter market has been deregulated, progress in metering remains limited. The sector’s liquidity crisis endures, with the government still bearing the financial burden of market shortfalls,” he said.
The PCAN Chairman said, the workshop was therefore, a call to action to move the sector forward.
