FG, states to tackle power sector woes

THE Federal Government plans to partner with state governments to tackle power shortfalls across the country.

Kashim Shettima, vice president of Nigeria stated this at the power sector stakeholders’ interactive dialogue/workshop organised by the House of Reps committee on power, held recently in Abuja.

Shettima, who was represented by Sadiq Wanka, his special adviser on power, said the new structure in the power sector would prioritise the creation of an enabling environment in the states as well as at wholesale market levels while paving ways for the private sector to lead across the value chain.

“The Electricity Act 2023 that was passed by the National Assembly and signed into law by President Bola Tinubu seeks to overhaul the structure of the Nigeria Electricity Supply Industry.

“It proposes a structure that promotes more competition and greater scope for tailoring power solutions to local needs while transitioning to a market structure that would attract much-needed investments and promote environmental sustainability.

“The wholesale structural shift that the Electricity Act 2023 (as amended) and the associated constitutional amendment usher in, means we need to double down on ensuring an orderly transition to the new national electricity market framework,” he said.

Adebayo Adelabu, the minister of power, announced plans to establish 3 gigawatts of solar energy sources across the 25 states in the north and southwest parts of the country.

According to the minister, these projects are aimed at addressing the power supply woes in the country as well as an encouragement to state governments to invest in power generation in their states.

He noted the major challenges of the power sector to include inadequate generation capacity, supply constraints, inadequate transmission infrastructure, regulatory and policy constraints, inadequate financing and low investment due to lack of liquidity.

“These have resulted in energy deficits that have stifled growth; it has hindered industrialisation and diminished the quality of lives of millions of Nigerians compared to their counterparts in the Western world. The present administration of President Tinubu in his renewed Hope Agenda is determined to address issues in the power sector and enhance the quality of life for all Nigerians,” Adelabu.