Minister of Power Adebayo Adelabu has reiterated the purpose of the 2023 Electricity Act during the 3rd edition Workshop of the Power Correspondent Association of Nigeria (PICAN) in Abuja.
Emphasising the Act’s aim to bolster the nation’s energy supply, Adelabu assured citizens of imminent enhancements in power distribution nationwide.
Speaking on the Act’s significance under the theme “Resolving Nigeria’s Power Crisis: The Implication of the Electricity Act 2023,” Adelabu highlighted the development of the Integrated National Electricity Policy and Strategic Implementation Plan as a key component.
He affirmed ongoing efforts with the National Council on Power (NCP) to finalise the implementation strategy for submission to the Federal Executive Council (FEC) for approval.
Adelabu underscored a shift from the top-down to a bottom-up approach in the administration’s roadmap, focusing on prioritising Metering, Distribution, and Transmission infrastructure.
He reiterated immediate attention towards customers and the crucial infrastructure to ensure efficient power delivery.
The minister outlined a multi-tiered approach, focusing on distributed power sources, such as renewable energy, particularly solar energy in the North, mini-hydropower plants in the Middle Belt and Southwest, and wind energy in coastal states.
Adelabu urged media involvement to emphasise the critical issues of power theft, vandalism, and educate consumers against sabotaging the power supply.
“Taking all the above into consideration, especially with the liberalization of the sector, Nigerians will soon start to experience the objective that led to the Act, which is improved power supply across the country,” he added.
He emphasised the importance of customer payments to maintain financial liquidity in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI).
Adelabu explained its provisions empowering states, organisations, and individuals to undertake electricity-related activities, highlighting the Act’s significance in liberalising electricity generation, transmission, and distribution.
He noted the Act’s encouragement of renewable energy integration into the grid system and the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission’s (NERC) obligations for licensees regarding renewable energy.
Adelabu reiterated the Act’s alignment with President Bola Tinubu’s vision to revolutionise the power sector.
