The Senate and House of Representatives on Monday commended the Minister of Energy, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, for significantly improving electricity supply across the country.
Congratulations were showered on the minister when he appeared before both houses of the National Assembly to present the ministry’s budget.
The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Energy, Senator Eyinnaya Abaribe, said there were improvements in procurement, adding that more must be done to take Nigeria to where it should be and was supported by Senator Ashiru Oyetola who said the minister’s first appearance before the Senate committee clearly showed that he understood the task before him.
“The knowledge you demonstrated in your first presentation shows an understanding of the industry and this has been reflected in the performance of the department under your leadership. However, I would say that there is still a lot to be done.”
In the House of Representatives, the Chairman of the Energy Committee, Hon. Victor Nwokolo, said the minister had impressed the Committee and should just leave and go, “But we are abdicating our responsibility if we do not do the right thing as representatives of the Nigerian people who elected us.”
Also speaking, the Chairman of the House Committee on Renewable Energy, Hon Afam Ogene, the members representing Surulere 11, Hon Lanre Okunlola and Ndokwa/Ukwuani Federal Constituency, Delta, Hon Ezechi Nnamadi, noted an improvement in the electricity supply. with members of the National Assembly to understand areas that need more government intervention.
The Minister earlier said in his presentation that with his appointment, the generation was about 4100 megawatts and within a year, the capacity increased by over 1000 megawatts.
“We have reached a maximum capacity of 5270 megawatts. The improvements in production capacity are due to improvements in the operation of existing power plants and the commissioning of new plants. This increase is partly due to efforts to ensure more efficient use of existing infrastructure and the completion of several power projects,” he said.
Adelabu also disclosed that to address the electricity challenge facing the country, the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) will need about N2.779 trillion to execute its 149 projects spread across the country, many of which are at various stages of completion.
He informed the lawmakers that approval has been given for the launch of the second phase of the Siemens power project under the Presidential Power Initiative, with 95% of the pilot phase to be completed by 2024. He said the project would also boost electricity supply. including the construction of five substations across the country and permanently address the problem of grid collapse.
