The Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, recently met with the Nigerian Governors' Forum (NGF) and State Energy Commissioners to discuss collaboration between the federal government and the states in improving power supply in the country. The meeting focused on the development of a sub-national electricity market, as well as the National Electricity Policy and Strategic Implementation Plan.
Adelabu highlighted the importance of power in economic growth and development, and emphasized the role of distributed power in providing energy efficiently. He called on state governments to play a significant role in all segments of the power sector value chain, including rural electrification. He proposed a meeting with Energy Commissioners across the states and invited the NGF to a roundtable discussion with the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) to ensure that each state receives its allocation of funding for rural electrification projects.
The Minister also mentioned that REA has access to funding from foreign development partners and the Power Consumer Assistance Fund, which can further enhance access to power in communities. He appealed to the states to assist power distribution companies (DISCOs) with bill collections, as liquidity is essential in the sector. Adelabu suggested an administrative unbundling of DISCOs along state lines to ensure optimal performance.
Adelabu encouraged states to generate hydro power by utilizing small dams in their communities, and suggested hybridizing hydro with solar power to ensure a seamless transition during the dry season when water levels are low. He also called on state governments to help protect power infrastructure from vandals and prevent energy theft by utilizing their apparatus, such as the Amotekun in the South West, to arrest criminals who vandalize power properties and engage in meter bypass.
The Director General of NGF, Mr. Asishana Okauru, presented a document to the Minister outlining areas of concern for the NGF. He emphasized the need for collaboration between the federal and state governments on electricity matters and proposed the establishment of a working committee between the Ministry of Power and the NGF. Okauru also suggested that state governments should have representatives on the boards of DISCOs alongside the Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI).
According to him, the meeting aimed to encourage collaboration between the federal government and the states to improve power supply in Nigeria. The focus was on developing a sub-national electricity market, enhancing rural electrification projects, generating hydro power, protecting power infrastructure, and improving bill collections for DISCOs.