Yemi Obafemi
The Minister of Power, Mr Adebayo Adelabu, has announced plans to organise an inaugural ministerial retreat for the power sector from Dec.12 to 14. to address issues concerning the sector.
Adelabu disclosed this when the Governor of Abia state, Mr Alex Otti, paid him a visit, saying that the ministry will collaborate with state governments to address the challenges in the power sector and boost supply.
The minister urged state governments to support and monitor Electricity Distribution Companies (DisCos) to achieve their performance improvement plans since they are closer to them and better positioned, saying that they have a role to play in the distribution segment which encompasses infrastructure enhancement, reducing metering gap, enforcing bills collection and rural electrification.
“They are also to help in combatting power theft, preventing asset vandalisation, and securing right-of-way for transmission lines”.
“To achieve this, the ministry plans to collaborate closely with state ministries of power, energy and public utilities,’’ the minister said.
Adelabu also proposed unbundling various regional DisCos into different states to allow for more localised oversight.
“Financial collaboration modalities between the Federal and State governments will be explored, possibly involving a swap of federal government stakes in DISCOs with stakes in the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC),’’ he said.
He also encouraged states to establish active rural electrification boards to work with the ministry’s Rural Electrification Agency (REA).
He added that support from state governments in the provision of distribution transformers and replacement of weak power lines are considered crucial for achieving reliable and functional power supplies.
Gov. Otti commended the minister’s and expressed support for the transformative efforts, pledging to attend the upcoming retreat, aligning state-level thoughts with the minister’s vision.
The governor was accompanied on the visit by Sen. Patrick Ndubueze, Hon. Chidi Nwogu and the Abia State Commissioner for Power Mr Ikechukwu Monday.
