In line with the Federal government’s determination to improve on electricity supply under the Presidential Power Initiative PPI to boost the socio-economic activities in the country, the distribution companies in the energy sector( Discos) have urged to improve on their capitalisation to enable their deliver their mandate to people.
Just as the State Government have been admonished to invest on mini-power project to reduce the burden from the federal government as it could not continue to do it alone.
The Minister of Power, Adelabu Adebayo gave this advice while fielding questions from the Journalists shortly after the inauguration of 60MVA, 132/33KV power transformer at Okene Transmission Substation in Okene Local government area of Kogi State recently.
Adelabu explained that for Nigerians to enjoy adequate supply of electricity the Discos must improve on the capitalization, stressing that money is required to improve on infrastructure in the distribution.”They must bring in money to invest seriously on transformers , cables and other equipment to aid easy distribution of electricity”.
He maintained that the Federal Government will no longer indulge any Distribution Company that is found wanting from it services.
“Any distribution company that is found wanting in embarking on illegality will be sanctioned and that will serve as deterrence to others . So we are looking at that and again and that the Discos should be structured along the state lines”.
The Minister therefore enjoined the State government to also invest in mini power generation , noting that every state government will know the discos which they are dealing with and who to hold responsible .
“The State government must be able to engage in tracking and monitoring most of these discos .Our people will suffer, if you don’t it .We have made electoral pledges and promises to our people during our electioneering campaign .We must fulfil these .The problem and solution is about energy now collaboration , cooperation and partnership”, the Minister stated.
Adelabu disclosed that the Federal government is leaving no stone unturned when it comes to transforming all the three segments in the power value- chain from the generation , transmission and distribution respectively .
“Distribution is the process which is the last stage where light is connected to the people. If people could not get light every efforts we are making is fruitless .That means we are moving in the dark .You could see that the federal government is making efforts to make sure we increase our generation capacity .We have redouble the number of efforts that we are making to provide electricity.
“We have improved the capacity by 700 megawatts at Zungeru and another intercention at Manbilla .We have revived many hydro electric power stations.
“To improve power generation, you could see that domestic power has just been added in Abia State yesterday .We are also talking to the gas companies with a view to pay the debt the federal government is owning them and to resume full supply of gas immediately.
“And efforts in transmission of course ,you could see why we are here is part of the efforts.Presidential Power Initiative which is being anchored by the Federal government and it has started working .We are almost done with pilot stages of this project.
“One of the things we are doing today, commissioning of five transformers across five locations in the country , Okene , Kogi State, Potiskum , Yobe State , Apo in Abuja, Ihovbor, Edo State and Amukpe in Delta state respectively.
“And we are not stopping at this process of execution of the power solution .We have done past the time of lamentation , explanation or bringing out issues .Now we are not looking for solution, but we are executing the solution .And we are doing more in Transmission to enhance distribution which more important to give light to the people”.
He also highlighted some of the PPI number of initiatives to improve quality services, emphasising that the metering programme is very key
“That every house’s must be metered .When you are billed there is transparency , there is credibility in the amount of money you are paying not just a guess work so that nobody should try to cheat another person.
Furthermore, it is to eliminate wide gab we have between house holds and businesses”, he stressed.
Ibrahim Oyewale in Lokoja
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