In response to the recent widespread power outages across the country, the federal government convened a meeting on Tuesday with representatives from the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) and the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) to discuss collaborative efforts in enhancing power supply to Nigerians.
During the meeting held in Abuja, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, the Minister of Power, emphasized the need for immediate action to alleviate the current power supply challenges. Adelabu acknowledged the complexity of the issues facing the power sector, highlighting the importance of addressing obstacles at all levels of the supply chain.
Adelabu emphasized a shift towards a bottom-up approach, focusing on improving distribution infrastructure, metering systems, tariff policies, and reducing losses within the distribution network. He stressed the necessity of collaboration between government entities and power distributors to create a more efficient and reliable electricity market.
Addressing concerns about accountability, Adelabu reaffirmed his commitment to implementing effective policies, despite not directly owning any power generation, transmission, or distribution companies. He underscored the urgency of the situation, expressing determination to prevent further job losses due to inadequate power supply.
Following a closed-door discussion with the minister, Victor Ojelabi, the Managing Director of AEDC, highlighted the challenges faced by distribution companies, including low generation and transmission limitations. Ojelabi expressed optimism about collaborative efforts between distribution companies and the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) to address these issues promptly.
Kingsley Achife, Managing Director of IBEDC, echoed Ojelabi’s sentiments, emphasizing the importance of partnership in overcoming challenges and ensuring a seamless flow of power to customers.
Baba Mustapha, Director of Distribution at the Ministry of Power, reiterated the government’s commitment to improving power supply, promising visible improvements in Abuja within a few weeks. Mustapha emphasized the minister’s dedication to meeting key performance indicators aimed at delivering stable and improved power supply nationwide.
The government’s proactive approach and collaborative efforts with electricity distributors signify a concerted effort to tackle the ongoing power supply challenges and enhance the overall electricity infrastructure in Nigeria.