Adelabu: Ongoing power sector improvement tip of the iceberg
Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu has described the ongoing improvement in power supply across the country as a tip of the iceberg compared with what is to come in the next few years.
He said the current administration of President Bola Tinubu is already fixing the foundational structural issues which have bedeviled the power sector over the years.
The minister spoke in an interview shortly after observing the Eid-el-Kabir prayers at the Agodi Prayer Ground, Ibadan, yesterday.
He expressed optimism that in the next few years, the sector will deliver far more improved service which will see power supply serving every Nigerian home, businesses, institutions and industries.
Adelabu said, “Let me say that, the biggest room in the world is the room for improvement. Rome was not built in a day. And for you to build a solid building, there must be a very solid and reliable foundation. The power sector had some serious foundational structural issues which we have been able to correct with this administration.
“The little improvement that you have seen is just a tip of the iceberg. You still witness major improvement in power supply.
“Our president has promised that he is going to light up the entire country. He is not relenting of that promise. He still reiterated it yesterday at the ceremony we had in Port Harcourt where we commissioned a power plant.
“He said his major objective is to make sure that he electrifies every Nigerian home, household, businesses, institutions and industries. And I can tell you that we are not relenting. What you have seen is just one and a half years.
“I resumed this job in September 2023. This is just end of May and you have seen a little. I promise you that within the next one year, you are going to see major improvement that will develop our industries, that will resuscitate our small and cottage businesses, that will bring happiness back to homes where everywhere is lit up and there will not be darkness.”
He said Oyo State too will soon witness another level of serve delivery in the sector as the Federal Government recently concession the Ikere Gorge Dam to improve supply.
“And in Oyo State, we have so much potential and we have done so much. We just witnessed the Ikere Gorge hydro power plant which we just concessioned. This started in 1979. It was abandoned. But, we got it and we said we must bring light back to Oke Ogun, light back to Oyo State. So we have been able to achieve it.
“You have seen a lot of substations approved for Oyo State under the administration of President Tinubu. They say charity begins at home, Oyo State must witness improved lights, improved power supply.
“But I am appealing to our people that they should just trust us, they should be patient and retain the confidence and Nigeria, Oyo State will never remain the same. As you heard, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is going to light up the entire Nigeria and Oyo State will also witness it.”
Speaking on the importance of the festivity, the Minister appealled to Nigerians not to lose the lesson of this celebration of the Eid-el-Kabir celebration.
Noting that the festivity is about sacrifice, peace and loving each other, the minister said these virtues are essential for the sake of national peace, development and prosperity.
