… Says N2.779tn requires to complete 149 TCN abandoned projects
Members of the National Assembly has lauded the Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu over noticeable improvement in electricity supply across the country.
The commendation was given when the Minister appeared before the two chambers at the National Assembly for the Ministry’s budget presentation.
Kick-starting the presentation, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Power, Senator Eyinnaya Abaribe who commended on the improved power supply, adviced that there still need for improvement in order to take Nigeria where it ought to be.
Supported by Kwara South Senator, Ashiru Oyetola, praised the first appearance of the Minister before the Senate Committee which clearly showed his understanding of the task before him.
“The knowledge you displayed during your first appearance shows understanding of the industry and this has reflected in the performance of the Ministry under you. I will however state that a lot still has to be done,” he said.
In a separate appearance at the Green Chamber, the Chairman of the Reps’ Committee on Power, Honourable Victor Nwokolo said: “With commendation from committee members, the Minister should have simply taken a bow and leave but we will be shirking in our responsibility if we do not do the right thing as representatives of the Nigerian people who have elected us.”
Other Members of the House of Reps who commended the improvement in power supply, include the Chairman of the Committee on Renewable Energy, Hon. Afamefuna Victor Ogene; Member Representing Surulere 11, Hon. Lanre Okunlola; and representative of Ndokwa/Ukwuani Federal Constituency, Hon. Ezechi Nnamdi. They called for more engagements with the National Assembly Members in order to understand areas needing further government interventions.
Earlier in his presentation, the Minister revealed that the generation was just 4100 megawatts when he was appointed, but that the capacity expanded by over 1000 megawatts in just one year, reaching 5270 megawatts maximum capacity.
He emphasized: “The improvements in generation capacity were due to improvements in the operation of existing power plants and the commissioning of new plants. This boost was partly driven by efforts to ensure more efficient use of existing infrastructure and completion of some power projects.”
Highlighting possible action plan required in tackling the electricity challenge facing the nation, Adelabu asserted that the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), will require about N2.779 trillion to execute its 149 projects that are scattered across the country many of which are at different stages of completion.
He intimated the lawmakers that approval has been given for the commencement of the second phase of the Siemens power project under the Presidential Power Initiative with 95 percent completion of the pilot stage in 2024. To commence in the first quarter of this year.
According to him, the project will energise power supply as it would involve the construction of five substations across the nation and permanently address the issue of grid collapse.
“I am happy to appear before today to address you on what we have been able to achieve last year and what is expected of us as a ministry this year.
“For the TCN alone, we will need about N2.779 trillion to enable us execute the about 149 projects we are currently engaged in all over the country. Our total budget as a ministry is not even up to this but as the saying goes that half bread is better than none. I’m telling you so that you can be aware of the kind of money that is needed in the ministry for us to address our electricity challenges. We need your cooperation and collaboration in achieving the mandate of Mr. President in electricity supply to Nigerians”, the Minister said.
Speaking further on the Siemens project, Adelabu said, the substations to be built across the country, would address the nation’s fragile power infrastructure, occasioned by obsolete and outdated equipment.
Expressing concern on the need to address vandalism of electricity asset across the country, the Minister said, “One other critical thing I want to draw your attention to is the issue of vandalization as it concerns our assets. It is important we sensitise our people against this act. We must be involved in serious advocacy on this issue. We must jointly address the issue of protecting the power assets. A damage to one is a damage to all, especially the transmission assets, they are so interwoven and a damage to one is a damage to all.
“In this case, we need the cooperation and collaboration of all our security agencies, the Army, the Airforce, the Navy, the Police and the Civil Defence. But more importantly, we need the cooperation and collaboration of the office of the National Security Adviser. We are not just dealing with those who steal cables but bandits, who use dynamite to blow up towers and transmission lines. There is no amount we can vote for this either as a ministry or in TCN that can solve this.
“Our transmission line from Shiroro – Mando – Kaduna which was attacked by these bandits, and which we are yet to put back, was done in a manner as if we were in a war situation. We did not budget for what was spent to put what we could together. How do we manage the protection of these assets? This must be our joint concern, so we are calling for your cooperation and collaboration in addressing this security challenge facing us in our power assets.”
He added: “I want to assure you that on our part, the Federal Government is fully ready to address the issues hindering the electricity sector this year, 2025 and we hope the year will be a better one for us in the ministry. As I said before, I want to reiterate it that we will focus on this Presidential Power Initiative in ensuring that our grid is stable and does not suffer collapse and when it does, within the very shortest time, it is restored and brought back on board.
The Minister also disclosed that the ministry will be working with local contractors in their procurement plans for the year.