The Improvement In Nigeria’s Power Supply Is Not Due To Rainfall – Adelabu Explains

The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, has submitted that the recent improvement in power supply in Nigeria is not due to rainfall, nor is it an accidental development.

Speaking yesterday during an oversight visit from the House of Representatives Committee on Power, Adelabu explained that the recent improvement is due to intentional efforts by the federal government.

He explained that the hydroelectric power in Nigeria today is just a bit over 20 per cent of the total power generated, while the remaining almost 80 per cent is from gas.

The Minister also disclosed that the government is advancing efforts towards making the Siemens power project a reality, with the pilot phase of the project nearing completion, highlighting that numerous pieces of equipment from the project are currently being deployed across the country.

“We went to Germany together and we had a meeting with the German Chancellor that we needed to accelerate implementation of the presidential power initiative, which you all know as Siemens project.

“And the following month, we had a meeting in Dubai and we signed an acceleration agreement to ensure that we continued with this project. And I can tell you, within one year, we have almost concluded the pilot phase of this project.

“The pilot phase included importation, commissioning, and installation of 10 power transformers across Nigeria, 10 power mobile substations across Nigeria. So the improvement you see today is not accidental. It’s not due to rainfall.

“Hydroelectric power in Nigeria today is just a bit over 20 per cent of our total power generated. The remaining almost 80 per cent is from gas. So it’s not rain, but by the intentional activities of the federal government through the ministry of power. That’s why we are seeing all those improvements,” he said.

Adelabu disclosed further during the visit that the government has allocated N205 billion from the N1.3 trillion debt owed to Generation Companies (Gencos) in an effort to enhance liquidity within the power sector.

He urged the lawmakers to maintain their pressure on the executive branch to ensure that outstanding debts owed to stakeholders in the sector are settled.

He said, “In terms of markets and liquidity, government is also owing these companies, but they have started paying them little by little. Just about three weeks ago, out of the about N1.3 trillion we are owing the Generation Companies (Gencos), we were able to pay them N205 billion. And they are also happy.

“But I will plead with the members of the House committee to help us mount pressure on the executive to continue to pay these people.”

On the discrepancy in customer metering in Nigeria, Adelabu noted that among more than 12 million electricity customers across the country, only slightly more than five million have been metered, leaving a shortfall of over seven million meters.

He stated that the ministry’s goal is to install two million meters each year for the next five years.