By Ojugbele Omotunde
The Minister of Power, Mr. Adebayo Adelabu, has unveiled an ambitious strategy to escalate Nigeria’s electricity generation capacity from its current 4000 megawatts to an impressive 6000 megawatts within the forthcoming three to six months. This is in a determined bid to ameliorate the perennial power shortage plaguing the nation.
The groundbreaking announcement was made by Mr. Adelabu during a crucial gathering held in Abuja on Monday, where he convened with top officials from various power agencies alongside key stakeholders within the energy sector.
Highlighting the inadequacy of the present power infrastructure, Mr. Adelabu emphasized the imperative of augmenting the nation’s energy production capacity.
He outlined meticulous preparations underway to propel the power output to a range between 6000 to 6500 megawatts, potentially alleviating the prevailing energy deficit.
Citing November 2021 figures, where peak power generation reached 5700 megawatts, Mr. Adelabu underscored the anticipated surge in electricity production.
He elucidated on the challenges hindering the realization of the full operational capacity of numerous generation companies, primarily attributable to constraints in gas supply.
Underscoring the collaborative responsibility in fostering a reliable power supply, Mr. Adelabu urged citizens to fulfill their obligation by ensuring timely payment for electricity consumption.
While expressing awareness of public expectations for substantial improvements in governance and the power sector, he reiterated the pivotal role of consumer cooperation in facilitating progress.
Providing reassurance amidst the prevailing challenges, Mr. Adelabu assured Nigerians of relentless efforts by the Ministry of Power and its associated agencies to overcome existing hurdles.
Emphasizing the transient nature of the current predicament, he affirmed the government’s proactive measures to address the underlying issues disrupting electricity provision.
Furthermore, Mr. Adelabu underscored the imperative of enhancing the performance of Distribution Companies (DisCos), urging the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to enforce stringent measures to ensure optimal operational efficiency.
He underscored the administration’s commitment, led by President Bola Tinubu, to identify and rectify systemic impediments, thus ensuring a consistent and sustainable power supply for all citizens.