BY AKUDORO GLORIA
Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu on Tuesday called for stakeholders collaborative efforts which hinges on repositioning the nation’s energy landscape.
Adelabu made this call at the opening of a 2-day stakeholders roundtable organized by the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) in Abuja.
The Minister who described the stakeholders roundtable a solution-driven engagement, hinted that the success of the 2023 Electricity Act hinges on effective collaborations between the public and private sectors.
He therefore urged stakeholders to explore innovative PPP models that leverage the strengths of each stakeholder, be it in financing, technology, or operational expertise, adding that these partnerships is not just transactions but the lifeline of our energy ecosystem.
According to him, “The vision of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu reflects clearly in the 2023 Electricity Act and His Excellency has set us on a path to transformative growth. The 2023 Electricity Act and the recent amendments in 2024 therefore serves as a testament to the nation’s commitment to creating an enabling environment for sustainable energy development.
“As primary stakeholders, we have a responsibility to build upon this foundation set by Mr. President to propel Nigeria into a new era of energy excellence.
“The primary focus for this 2-day engagement is “collaboration”. We must therefore harp on the concept of collaboration in every sense of the word. The dichotomy between on-grid and off-grid solutions should no longer be seen as a division but as complementary components of a holistic energy strategy. By seamlessly integrating on-grid and off-grid efforts, we can ensure that every citizen, regardless of location, enjoys the benefits of a reliable and sustainable power supply.
“As the concept of electricity access goes beyond having the lights ON in our homes, businesses and institutions, our efforts must continue to address and catalyze the socio-economic benefits of sustainable energy access. Only then have we done justice to this nation. Only then have we fully optimized this people-focused and strategic blueprint of Mr. President as contained in the 2023 Electricity Act.
On historical roadblocks militating progress in the energy sector, the Minister stated that the issues has recently been addressed by the Ministry and its still addressing to ensure that Nigerians are provided with the services they deserve in the sector.
“The business of electrification is a business of service, from generation, to transmission, to the end user for consumption”, he said.
Adelabu further stressed on the pivotal to role of State Governments as inshrined in the Act, noting that Energy Poverty still affects millions of Nigerians, especially in off grid communities across the 774 local government areas. “Our commitment to inclusivity must therefore be unwavering”.
He urged key representation of State Governments, DISCOs, private sector players and partners in the development sector present to spur conversations that will address the pain points across the value chain.
“The global call for sustainability echoes in our actions. The integration of renewable energy sources into our grid is not just a choice; it is a responsibility. I am glad to witness the trajectory of such collaborative and impactful engagements. We only need to facilitate even more of such engagements. Witnessing the ongoing efforts of State Governments to design their respective energy access pathways, we must leverage the abundant expertise, available data and technologies to strengthen these new pathways while creating a cleaner, more resilient energy infrastructure”.
“As we embark on this journey, let us not forget the human element. Capacity building and job creation should be integral components of our strategy. Empowering our workforce with the skills and knowledge needed for the evolving energy landscape is an investment in our collective success”, Adelabu asserted.