••• Urges states to safeguard infrastructure against incessant vandalization
BY AKUDORO GLORIA
Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu has called on government at the state level to strengthen collaboration with agencies under the power sector value-chain in a bid to further promote the provision of quality power supply to households, businesses and underserved communities in the country.
Adelabu made this call during a meeting with the Nigerian Governors’ Forum and the Energy Commissioners across the States earlier this week.
At the engagement which also focussed on the development of a sub-national electricity market, Nigeria Sub-National Electricity Markets Support Programme (NSEMSP) and the National Electricity Policy and Strategic Implementation Plan, the Minister re-emphasized the cardinal impact of power in economic growth and development of the nation.
He harped on the cruality of distributed power to fast track provision of energy in the country and also emphasized on the responsibilities needed to be carried out by state governments both in the distribution and at every segments of the power sector value chain including rural electrification.
Speaking on Rural Electrification Agency (REA) realigning its operational structure to ensure more visible impact across the various States of the federation, the Minister said every state is entitled to a portion of the allocation from the funding of rural electrification, hence, states and REA should intensify collaboration.
Adelabu clarified, “Collaboration with States Energy Commissioners and the Electricity Boards would enable REA to know where to focus on rural electrification projects as the States are in the best position to know the communities that should benefit from rural electrification projects.
“Rural Electrification Agency should collaborate with state rural electrification board for even distribution of benefits of rural electrification in all the states. This is one of the strategies to empower the underserved and unserved communities”.
“Apart from budgetary allocation, REA also has access to funding from foreign development partners that could further enhance access to power in different communities in the country.
“However, apart from budgetary allocation, there is the Power Consumer Assistance Fund (PCAF) whereby a portion of tariff is preserved for the less privileged”.
On bill collections, the Minister urged state government to assist DISCOs in their States, explaining the importance of Liquidity in the sector and the need to improve bill collection.
He explained, “There are places the DISCOs may not be able to access, the States thus need to use their apparatus to assist in collection. It is equally important for States to establish relationship with DISCOs in their various States in case of some emergencies that need urgent attention.
Adelabu who buttressed the the need to unbundle the DISCOs along State lines to ensure optimal performance and these could start with administrative unbundling, said it is important for every state to know who is in charge of power infrastructure in their states.
Adelabu said States should also be encouraged in line with the new Electricity act to also generate hydro power by utilising small dams that are in different communities in their States.
He stated, “One of the plans we have is to utilize rivers in some States to generate electricity . There are small dams that can generate between 500 kilowatts 10 megawatts, we want to encourage States to do that including hybridising the hydro with solar for seamless transition during the dry season when water level is low”.
The Minister further hinted on incessant vandalization of power facilities and enjoined state government to help in safeguarding energy infrastructure from vandals and prevent energy theft.
He encouraged states to establish apparatus like the Amotekun In the south west to go into the interiors of the state where the DISCO officials cannot access to arrest the criminals that vandalize power properties and those that engage in meter bypass.
Earlier, the Director General of NGF, Mr Asishana Okauru had presented a six-page document to the Minister where he listed areas of concern of the NGF. He also emphasized the need to foster collaboration between federal and the state governments on electricity matters.
Okauru spoke on the inauguration of the steering committee for the NSEMSP which is a hybrid technical assistance programme being implemented under the auspices of the NGF to facilitate the development of sustainable, competitive and viable sub national electricity markets in the country.
He however called for the setting up of a working committee between the Ministry of Power and representatives of NGF adding that the time is ripe for State governments to have representatives on the boards of DISCOs alongside the Ministry of Finance incorporated (MOFI).