By FEMI OGUNSHOLA

The Minister of Power, Mr Adebayo Adelabu, has decried the activities of saboteurs and cartels in the electricity sector, blaming them for the incessant power outages in the country.

Adelabu expressed this during a programme tagged “Confronting Nigeria’s Power Challenge as the Nation Migrates to a Multi-Tier Electricity Market” on Tuesday in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the programme was organised by the House of Representatives Committee on Power.

The minister said saboteurs and cartels perpetrated evil for their selfish interests in order to frustrate efforts at ensuring stable electricity supply in the country.

“We have saboteurs, cartels, and those who prefer to perpetrate evil for their selfish interests to frustrate our efforts,” Adelabu said.

He said all efforts must be geared towards propelling the country to the league of productive nations, adding that Nigeria was looking at reserves that would eliminate incessant power collapse.

He said the Federal Government was considering the liberalisation of the power sector.

“We also encourage the state government to invest in power generation in their states,” the minister said.

Adelabu listed Abia as one of the states that had invested in power, adding that the Federal Executive Council (FEC) had also granted Ekiti and Enugu State the right to generate tariffs.

The minister said It was worrisome that a lot of investors did not come with their private equity, but had to borrow money from the bank to operate in the sector.

He, however, said that with time, investors would be made to operate the right way for the benefit of the sector.

The minister also said that FG was looking at deepening rural electrification, adding that it would be done in collaboration with the state governments.

Adelabu said there were over 100 uncompleted power projects across the country, adding that those projects would not be energy-efficient without being completed.

Speaking, Mr Kola Adeshina, Group Managing Director, Sahara Power Group, expressed the regret that Nigeria could not supply electricity efficiently in spite of its abundant gas resources.

He said if electricity was not a priority in budget provision, it would be difficult for the country to work.

Adeshina said Nigeria had the resources to double its power generation.

“If the executive brings an appropriation bill before you (lawmakers) and the power sector is not number two after defence, then don’t allow it.” He said.

He urged government to prioritise industrial areas in power distribution.

“After the industrial areas have had light during the day, we can shift power at night to residential areas because production takes place during the day.

“Let’s sequence our investment along the line of value-added. Nigerians are resilient, we are strong, and we have tenacity. Nigerians are tired of power collapse,” he said. (NAN)

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