Fed Govt targets 6,000megawatts in six months
The Federal Government intends to raise power generation and distribution from the current 4,000 megawatts to 6,000 in the next six months.
Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, said the current supply level is unacceptable and hinders development.
He stressed that it would be left to distribution companies (DisCos) to ensure that the increased output is well distributed.
He spoke ahead of a meeting with the heads of agencies under the Power Ministry in Abuja.
Adelabu said DisCos should recapitalise.
He restated that sanctions, including license revocation, would be imposed on any DisCo that fails to deliver optimal service.
The minister said there was no plan to remove the 65 per cent subsidy on electricity yet.
Adelabu said: “What we are witnessing now is not acceptable.
“The situation is getting worse about the level of power supply to Nigerians.
“We’ve all been working day and night to ensure that we reverse this situation.
“I am confident that very soon this situation will be fully resolved.”
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Adelabu said gas supply challenges and debt owed to the GenCos were receiving attention.
“I want to reassure Nigerians that what we’re experiencing is temporary.
“We are addressing the root causes of all these issues.
“I am confident that we’re going to have some cash injection in terms of payments,” the minister said.
Warning distribution companies to sit up, Adelabu said: “Any DisCo that is found wanting will be severely dealt with because their actions or inactions directly affect the performance of the sector.
“I’ve discussed with the Chairman of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC).
“If we ramp up generation to 6,000 megawatts as planned in three to six months, if we ramp up our infrastructure in transmission to get power to the DisCos, if the DisCos are not picking up this power, it amounts to nothing.
“Willful refusal to take up supplied power by the DisCos is a qualified basis for revocation of license also.
“So, they should not frustrate our effort in generation and the transmission,” the minister noted.
Adelabu said the government was committed to decentralising the power sector.
Franchises, he said, will be granted to new entrants.
