Nigeria will record improved power supply – Tinubu ….Says he will create avenue for states to generate power
Nigeria will witness improved power supply with additional megawatts when the Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, BOLA TINUBU assume office after his election at February 25th, 2023 poll.
TINUBU in his Renewed Hope Agenda which is his official Manifestoe vowed to accord priority to improved power supply he believe will serve as a catalyst for socio-economic development of the nation.
The APC Presidential flagbearer said that he will build on the foundation laid by President BUHARI’s Presidential Power Initiative towards making the sector viable for the benefit of all Nigerians.
At the moment, the nation has about 12,000 megawwats of installed capacity but generates only 8, 000 megawatts while 4,500 were distributed nationwide.
For BOLA TINUNU, one of the first steps to take after assuming office is to ensure that power already generated are distributed for economic benefits and quality of lives for the people.
According to him, the new administrator will provide platform for states and those in the energy sector to enter into partnership with the federal government to create renewable energy and new Independent Power Plant.
Before 1999, the National Electric Power Authority, NEPA, had the sole monopoly of power generation and distribution in Nigeria but Lagos State became the first sub National to do so with the initiation of Enron Power Project.
This was after an MOU was signed between the Tinubu administration, Yinka Folawiyo Power Limited and Enron Corporation of the United States for an Independent Power Plant, IPP, with the Federal Government as the guarantor.
The barge-mounted electricity generating plant was to be located adjacent NEPA’s Egbin Power Station, but later became contentious over claims that the power generated was being transmitted to the National Grid for the use of the entire country, instead of only Lagos agreed by both parties.
Despite the controversy surrounding the Enron power project initiated by Tinubu, the Federal Government led by Olusegun Obasanjo accepted the wisdom in breaking the monopoly of NEPA, which has since transformed into the Power Holding Company of Nigeria, PHCN.
The successive governments after Tinubu in the state continued with the initiative and today some of the critical infrastructure like Alausa Secretariat, LASUTH, Marina House, Court premises in Ikeja are powered by IPP.
Many states in the federation have also copied the idea of the Independent Power Plant while the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria as well as the Lagos Chambers of commerce and Industry and prominent Economists have canvassed the removal of power generation from the Exclusive list.
TINUBU insists that the era of Estimated Billing which had caused several face-off between Nigerians and officials of the PHCN will become a thing of the past by ensuring that all electricity consumers are provided with meters.
Signed,
Chairman, APC-PCC Media Committee for Lagos State,
Hon Kehinde Bamgbetan.
