The Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, has taken decisive action in response to the worsening power supply situation in certain regions of Nigeria. To address the concerns, he has summoned the chief executives of the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company and Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company, along with the Managing Director of the Transmission Company of Nigeria, Sule Abdulazeez.
The power supply across the nation has deteriorated significantly since the beginning of the year. Various factors contribute to this decline, including outstanding debts amounting to over $1 billion owed to gas producers who supply gas to thermal gas-fired power plants. Additionally, vandalism of transmission towers in several parts of the country has led to grid disturbances and a continual drop in electricity transmission.
Expressing concern over these developments, Minister Adelabu, through a letter signed by the Director of Distribution Services at the Federal Ministry of Power, B.U Mustapha, has instructed the CEOs of the Discos and TCN to attend a meeting scheduled for the coming week. The purpose of this meeting is to discuss the issues surrounding the worsening electricity supply in their regions and devise lasting solutions.
In a statement issued by the minister’s Special Adviser, Bolaji Tunji, Adelabu emphasized that the management of non-performing distribution companies would also face scrutiny over their lack of performance. He highlighted that despite efforts to improve supply from TCN, certain regions continued to experience inadequate power supply.
Gas shortages and deliberate non-acceptance of power supply by some distribution companies have exacerbated the situation. Vandalism of power lines has further worsened the scenario in regions such as Abuja, Benin, Port Harcourt, and Ibadan.
Moving forward, Minister Adelabu directed TCN to initiate immediate repair works on damaged transmission towers and power lines to enhance supply in affected regions. He stressed the government’s commitment to holding distribution companies accountable for their performance, warning that non-performance could lead to severe penalties or license revocation.
The minister also assured ongoing efforts to settle outstanding debts owed to power generation and gas supply companies, which is expected to improve generation levels nationwide. Adelabu appealed to electricity consumers for patience as efforts are underway to rectify the situation and improve power supply across the country.