"It Must Stop": Power Minister Instructs Nigerians to Stop Buying Transformers, Poles for DisCos
- The federal government has issued a caution against communities being coerced into acquiring electricity infrastructures
- The government stressed that DisCos are responsible for supplying transformers, cables, and poles to communities
- The minister of power clarified that the ministry is open to collaboration with the private sector to enhance power distribution in Nigerians
Legit.ng journalist Victor Enengedi has over a decade's experience covering Energy, MSMEs, Technology and the stock market.
Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu has urged Nigerians to refrain from purchasing electricity infrastructure such as transformers and poles.
He stressed that it is the duty of Distribution companies (DisCos) to furnish the necessary infrastructure for effective service delivery.
Source: UGC
The minister made this plea during a courtesy visit to the Oyo state governor, Seyi Makinde, at the Agodi Secretariat in Ibadan.
Adelabu, who was on a working visit to the state, conducted an inspection of power infrastructure and presided over the commissioning of a sub-station.
The development follows the minister's promise to ensure that all Nigerian households were effectively metered.
President disapproves of communities paying for power infrastructures
The minister emphasized that it falls under the purview of the distribution companies (DisCos) to supply the necessary infrastructures required for efficient service delivery, including cables, poles, transformers, and similar items.
The minister stated that President Bola Tinubu disapproves of situations where communities are compelled to buy these infrastructures only for DisCos to take control and still charge customers for services.
He said:
“It is the responsibility of the distribution companies to provide transformers, cables and poles to communities so that power supply can improve. A situation where communities buy transformers, cables and poles must stop."
According to The Nation, Adelabu warned that the current administration would not tolerate communities being coerced into independently procuring such items.
FG to improve power supply
Furthermore, he urged Nigerians to refrain from paying for inadequate power supply and emphasized that achieving a consistent and stable power grid is a key priority of the present administration.
He said:
“There must be improvement in power supply. That is what the government planned to do. People should not pay for darkness. When people have a 24-hour power supply, they can pay double for electricity because you have saved them the money to power generators."
Encouraging heightened awareness regarding the security of power infrastructures, Adelabu implored citizens to report any unusual activities or movements observed around such facilities to the appropriate security agencies.
The FG had earlier stated that Nigeria would need new investors revitalise the industry with a capital investment of about N2 trillion.
Strong message but lacks will to implement
Reacting to the minister's message, William Usen, a social commentator, told Legit.ng that the minister's instruction lacks political backing.
He said:
Firstly, as the minister has said, it is wrong for consumers to buy infrastructure for electricity distribution companies.
It is the responsibility of the companies to do so. It is good the minister is reiterating this instruction to consumers.
That being said, the minister or the ministry will not be available when the DisCos are pressuring the communities to provide these infrastructures.
In many cases that I'm aware of, the DisCos will just leave the communities in darkness until they can come up with the funds to buy these infrastructures.
Usen therefore advised a channel for consumers to report such requests to the appropriate authorities.
Ex-power minister speaks on cabal benefitting from poor electricity supply in Nigeria
In related news, Legit.ng reported that Barth Nnaji, a former Minister of Power, has accused fuel suppliers and generator sellers of undermining initiatives aimed at ensuring a reliable power supply for Nigerians.
The professor voiced these allegations during his participation in "The South East Political Roundtable" on Flo FM in Umuahia, Abia State.
Highlighting the persistent challenges facing the national grid as a significant worry for Nigerians, the former minister asserted that the power industry, like many others, harbours a group that gains advantage from the ongoing problems associated with inadequate power supply.
PAY ATTENTION: Unlock the best of Legit.ng on Pinterest! Subscribe now and get your daily inspiration!
Source: Legit.ng
