The Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, has admitted that many Nigerians are still without reliable electricity despite ongoing efforts by the Federal Government to improve power supply across the country.
Tegbe, in a post on his X handle on Tuesday, acknowledged the frustration of Nigerians who were yet to experience the improvements he said had been recorded in the power sector since he assumed office three months ago.
The minister said much of his time in office had been devoted to identifying and addressing longstanding challenges in the sector, including the restoration of the 375-megawatt Alaoji power plant after three years of being offline.
“We spent much of this period on diagnosis and repair; restoring the 375MW Alaoji plant after three years offline, unlocking transmission capacity in Lagos, Abuja and other places, mobilising funds toward a debt burden that has quietly undermined this sector for years,” he said.
Tegbe also said more than 350,000 electricity meters had been deployed following the resolution of what he described as a legal quagmire involving the Association of Nigerian Electricity Distributors and Manufacturers of Nigeria.
Despite these measures, the minister acknowledged that many Nigerians were yet to experience reliable electricity.
“Admittedly, many Nigerians are still without reliable power, and I understand the frustration of hearing about progress you haven’t personally felt yet. I’m not going to pretend that away,” he said.
He said fixing the power sector would require time and sustained reforms, adding that he would not make promises of quick solutions that could not be maintained.
Tegbe also ruled out an increase in electricity tariffs, saying the position was not politically motivated.
“To be clear: there’s no plan to raise tariffs, and this is no political statement,” he said.
The minister reiterated his commitment to improving grid stability, electricity supply reliability and billing accuracy, while ensuring faster resolution of consumer complaints.
He also thanked officials working in the power sector under difficult conditions and Nigerians who continued to engage with the government over challenges affecting electricity supply.
“We’re not there yet, but we’re moving,” he said.
Titilope Adako is a talented and intrepid journalist, dedicated to shedding light on the untold stories of Osun State and Nigeria. Through incisive reporting, she tackles a broad spectrum of topics, from politics and social justice to culture and entertainment, with a commitment to accuracy, empathy, and inspiring positive change.
What do you think about this?
Drop your opinion in the comment section.
FOLLOW US & Share this with someone who needs to see this.
