Bilkisu Adejoh
It is pertinent to note that the power sector is undergoing various reforms that aim at improving the sector. Government is presently investing in power infrastructures, most especially in the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) through various interventions, which are funded by International Organisations like the World Bank, African Development Bank and a host of others to strengthen the national grid.
The Honourable Minister of power, H.E Engr. Abubakar D Aliyu made the above known during his address at the day 4 of the 5th National Council on Power held at Barcelona Hotel Abuja.
According to the Minister, “forum such as this, is necessary towards building synergy in policy formulation and implementation for the provision of adequate and reliable power supply to drive the socio-economic development of the nation that will catapult the nation to the next level of Industrial Development.”
He notified that the Nigerian government has developed the National Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Policy with the accompanying Vision 30:30:30 which aims at achieving 30,000MW of electricity by the year 2030 with renewable energy contributing 30 per cent of the energy mix.
“Renewable energy is taking the center stage of the ongoing reforms in the power sector in Nigeria as it is visible from the ongoing and completed projects like Zungeru Hydroelectricity Power Project which is at 97% completion and it is expected to provide 700 Megawatts to the national grid; Kashimbila Hydroelectricity Project providing 40 Megawatts to the national grid; Dadin-kowa dam providing 40 Megawatts to the national grid among others.
He reminded that the 5th NACOP is going to be the last Council for this administration. It is a valedictory council, but I assure you that all the recommendations reached here today will be forwarded to Federal Executive Council for approval and also I will ensure the kick-starting of the implementation process of such approvals before the expiration of President Muhammadu Buhari’s Administration.
He tasked participants to appraise recommendations of the technical experts’ submission on various memoranda carefully to enable the council arrive at objective conclusion that will improve the activities in the Power sector.
Also speaking, the Honourable Minister Federal Capital Territory, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello represented by the Executive Secretary FCDA, Engr. Shehu Hadi Ahmad said that the theme of the conference speaks in no uncertain terms, to the importance of the electricity value chain to the socio economic development of the country.
Bello said that the importance of value chain to economic development calls for synergy between operators and players within the power sector.
“ There is the need therefore for increased investment in the power sector value chain especially by the organised private sector, working together in line with the vision and policies of the government cannot be over emphasised.
“It is thus our expectations that the 2022 NACOP will evolve policies that will sustain and build on the gains made in the power sector over the last few years.
While bearing in mind that reviving the Nigerian economy and sustaining growth depends to a large extent on an efficient and functional energy sector, ‘’ he said .
On his part, Chairman, Senate Committee on Power, Sen. Gabriel Suswam said the challenges of NESI since the completion of privatisation in 2013 were well known to all the stakeholders and participants present.
These challenges which are mainly operational in nature or manifest as a result of lapses in extant policies or statutory framework include absence of cost reflective tariff and inadequate enumeration.
“ Metering of consumers limited access to funds for investment inadequate supply amongst others.
“As you deliberate on the theme of the 5th edition of NACOP, you ponder on these aforementioned challenges.
“I would like to assure NACOP of the support of the National Assembly, especially committees on power, to always give legislative backing to resolutions and policy recommendations of NACOP towards improving electricity supply in the country, ‘’ he said.
