Tag: Adelabu

The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, has announced that following President Bola Tinubu’s enactment of the 2023 Electricity Act, at least five states in the federation have passed their own Electricity Acts, providing them the authority to formulate their individual Electricity Laws.

Although he did not list the states, they include Lagos, Edo, Kaduna, Oyo, Ekiti, and Enugu States.

He gave the update on Monday, November 27, in Abuja during the 3rd Edition of Roundtable for Legislature, Judiciary, and Stakeholders on the Enforcement of Technical Standards and Regulations in the Multi-Tier Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI).

The roundtable was at the Nigerian instance of the Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA).

He said: “At the last count, not less than five states have enacted their Electricity Laws.”

The minister revealed that in line with the 2023 Electricity Act, the ministry under his watch is working in partnership with the National Council on Power to send the Integrated National Electricity Policy, and Strategic Implementation Plan to the Federal Executive Council (FEC) for approval.

 He said: “On our own part in the Ministry of Power, we are working assiduously with the National Council on Power, which I also chair, to develop and send to the Federal Executive Council (FEC) for approval, the Integrated National Electricity Policy, and Strategic Implementation Plan, as mandated by the Electricity Act 2023.”

He assured the stakeholders that the ministry under watch is dedicated to leading the engagements with the State governments to maintain Standards across the board to ensure that desirable reforms are undertaken and guide against regulatory rupture.

The minister described the roundtable as an opportunity for the stakeholders to compare notes on the reforms recently brought about in NESI by the Fifth Alteration to the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and the re-enactment of the Electricity Act, 2023.

Adelabu said it was time to take stock of where the sector is and where it is going.

He said the Fifth Alteration and the enactment of the Electricity Act 2023 is the “Devolution of Powers” to the sub-nationals (States), to enact their own Electricity Laws across the value chain of generation, transmission, distribution, trading, and regulation within the confines of States.

He noted that this has been heralded as a game-changer.

Conversely, however, according to him, it means that all hands must be on deck, for it is one thing to create the enabling environment and another for the desired change for a better outcome.

The minister noted that interestingly, the Electricity Act of 2023 has consolidated virtually all legislations in the NESI and strengthened the role of NEMSA as the lead Enforcer of all Statutory Technical and Regulatory Standards in order to guarantee the safety of lives and property, with complementary roles assigned to other sister Agencies under their respective Acts.

Commending NEMSA management, for displaying leadership by recognizing the vital roles played by not just the National state actors and other Stakeholders in NESI, but pertinently, the Legislature and the Judiciary.

He stressed that “At the last count, not less than 5 States have enacted their own Electricity Laws.”

He also commended the Legislature for its incessant resolve to bring to fruition necessary Statutes with positive bearing on the lives of the citizenry and lead a pathway for the present administrative agenda of pursuing industrialization which can only be done with the provision of stable power supply.

The minister explained that the “reality of the devolution of powers to States to enact their own Electricity Laws across the value chain and establish their own regulatory bodies presupposes the imperative for the members of the Executive, Legislature, and Judiciary at the Center, and the sub-nationals to come together to channel a new path for the citizenry of our beloved Country to have access to affordable, quality, secured and steady power supply. The truth of the matter is that we need each other now more than before.”

He added that it is the role of the Judiciary to interpret the Constitution and the enabling Statute.

 Meanwhile, the NEMSA Managing Director, Engr. Tukur Tahir Aliyu, plans are underway to open Meter Test Stations in the North East and North Central Geopolitical Zones of the country whenever there is approved fund for the project.

He said in the course of carrying out its mandate in the power sector and other allied industries/workplaces in the past few years, the Agency has met with resistance on several occasions.

One of the reasons for such resistance, said Aliyu, is attributed to a lack of adequate knowledge about the Agency’s mandate in the NESI by the relevant stakeholders.

Read Also: Adelabu lays foundation for largest minigrid in Abuja community

He said the one-day enlightenment and interactive programme for Legislators, Judiciary, State Government Representatives, and other Stakeholders is aimed at bridging the knowledge gap in relation to NEMSA’s enforcement role in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry.

Aliyu, who is also the Chief Electrical Inspector of the Federation said it is also an avenue to sensitize the legislators, and judicial officers on the legal framework for the enforcement of technical standards and regulations in NESI and Allied Industries.

 Former House Committee on Power Chairman, Hon. Patrick Ikhaliare recalled that the establishment of the agency became necessary because of the enormity and frequency of accidents in the industry.

Similarly, former Senate Committee Chairman, Senator Philip Aduda recalled that lobbying for the passage of the bill establishing NEMSA was the most difficult for him as he almost knelt down in the Senate Chamber to plead with his fellow lawmakers to pass it into law.

The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, on Wednesday, November 22, charged the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) with initiating the foundation for the development of the Rural Electrification Strategy and Implementation Plans. 

The plan is expected to bring information concerning the expansion of the national grid to rural areas, the development of off-grid power sources, renewable energy power generation, and the impact of ongoing rural electrification projects on economic inequalities in rural and peri-urban areas.

It shall also show the impact of rural electrification on the general rural economy and address gender inequalities in the rural areas in particular and the extent to which the projects set out in the strategic plan are being achieved.

Director of Renewable and Rural Access, Aliyu Dapshiman, who represented him in Abuja during the commissioning of the Energy Management System Control Center by the agency, said

He said: “We hope that the REA will leverage the tool to set the foundation for the development of the Rural Electrification Strategy and Implementation Plans which shall highlight information relating to: the expansion of the national grid to rural areas, the development of off-grid power sources renewable energy power generation the impact of ongoing rural electrification projects on economic inequalities in the rural and peri-urban areas impact of rural electrification on the general rural economy and addressing gender inequalities in the rural areas in particular and the extent to which the projects set out in the strategic plan are being achieved.”

According to him, off-grid electrification comes with culture change through deliberate sensitization of beneficiaries and stakeholders.

He said he was delighted with REA and its strategic partners for taking a solid path towards sustainability through the growth of the productive use market in Nigeria.

The minister noted that through the central role of the Productive Use Market, more lives are being transformed just as more communities are being enlivened.

Adelabu said he celebrated with the people of Rubochi, Ikwa, Gada Biyu and Kugbaru as the beneficiary communities of the four standalone 1.6MWp solar panels mini-grids impactful support.

He added: “It is great progress to have an additional 1.6MWp and 3.0MWhr capacity energizing 7,300 residential and commercial homes in these communities while transforming the socio-economic status of the people.”

On the Energy Management System, the minister said the EMS is not just a tool; it is a mechanism the government plans to optimize to alleviate the existential problem of poor energy data in the nation’s energy space.

He also noted that it is surely a gateway to a future where data becomes a strategic asset in the government’s pursuit of reliable, accessible, and sustainable energy.

According to him, “This system will revolutionize the way we manage and utilize energy data across our electrification programs.”

In his welcome address, the REA Managing Director, Ahmad Salihijo Ahmad noted that the official commissioning of this bilateral groundbreaking event was made possible through the support of the Korean Government under the Official Development Assistance (ODA).

He described the project as a state-of-the-art Energy Management System (EMS) for integrated energy management and control.

He said it is “In other words, the Off-grid electricity SCADA system.”

The REA boss also said the completion of this EMS today coincides with the Electricity Act 2023 under section 154 (Monitoring of Rural Electrification Projects) mandates the agency to put in place appropriate machinery for the monitoring of rural electrification implementation projects nationwide.

He further said the mechanism for rural electrification monitoring should include the use of geographic information systems and geo-mapping technologies to monitor projects effectively and generate and analyse project data without physical visits to project locations.

Read Also: Adelabu pledges to curb rural-to-urban migration through improved electricity

According to him, upon full delivery of the ODA project, this intervention would have delivered a total renewable energy capacity of 1.6 MWp and 3.0 MWhr system across four main communities in the FCT.

He noted that the most significant part of the intervention is the fact that it further strengthens the Agency’s ongoing efforts on Productive Use through the auxiliary Productive Use Equipment support on appliances including smart metering devices, energy-efficient lighting, grain mills, drying, and water systems.

In his goodwill message, the Korean Energy Project, Project Manager, Dohyoung Kim, said the EMS integrated control room is a building built to provide sustainability of the mini-grids in Nigeria and records the mini-grids’ operation status, power generation, energy consumption breakdown, event, etc.

According to him, this will help in the expansion of solar power plants by analysing power generation.

The minister of power, Adebayo Adelabu on Thursday, November 9, vowed to keep providing electricity for rural areas to reduce migration to the cities.

Speaking at the commissioning of the 352.24KWP Interconnected Mini Grid Project by PowerGen Toto Community, Nasarawa state, he described rural-urban migration as a threat to food security, which the government will checkmate with the provision of electricity for everyone.

He identified the lack of electricity as one of the reasons rural dwellers leave for cities.

He said: “We need to reduce the trend of rural-urban migration. It is not desirable. It is a threat to our food security in the country. Everybody leaves the village and you all want to enjoy the light in the city.

“We must bring the light, and power to the people in the village. And this is what we are doing today. The mini-grid we are inaugurating today is, therefore, a beacon of hope and a living proof of our commitment to reinvigorate the power sector, as it symbolizes our pledge to provide affordable energy to our rural communities and empower our citizens, regardless of their economic status.”

Adelabu revealed that the pilot project in Toto was over 2000 connections that were impacting over 183,800 people.

He said: “Over 2000 connections in a community like this. And that is impacting on 180,000 people, precisely 183,800 people.”

The project, said one of the beneficiaries, a table water factory operator, Abubakar Nasir, has reduced the cost of energy by 70%.

But describing electricity as the dividend of democracy, the minister said: “Irrespective of your tribe, religion and economic status, we are one Nigeria and must enjoy this dividend of democracy together. To the people of Toto and the people of Nasarawa state, this mini-grid is for no one else but you to enjoy.”

Read Also: Rivers crisis: Fubara meets Wike, says ‘My Oga remains my oga’

According to him, the cost of energy is raising the cost of commodity production in the country.

He noted that reducing the cost of energy will go a long way to reducing the cost of production and inflation rate.

The minister said if the rising cost of production does not get urgent solutions, businesses will collapse.

He said: “The cost of energy is a major part of the escalating cost of commodities in Nigeria. If you are able to reduce the cost of energy, I believe your total cost of production will reduce automatically.

“And once that cost of production reduces, it will also reduce the prices at which we offer all these goods and services to our people. When the prices reduce, it enables us to be able to afford to buy all these things and its direct impact on the reduction of inflation.

“Inflation today is in the region of 26 to 27%. We cannot continue like that. It is not only a threat to household affordability but to business continuity.

“Businesses will collapse if costs keep increasing because not only they wouldn’t be able to make profit they won’t be able to cover their cost.”

Speaking, AEDC Managing Director, Christopher Ezeafulukwu described the project as a unique catalytic interconnected minigrid project; a project that was initiated in 2020 by AEDC to explore innovative ways to better serve its customers.

He said the project was borne out of AEDC’s desire to provide a more reliable electricity supply to underserved communities like Toto.

AEDC, according to him, “had received some support from the United States Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) to explore innovative business models that would see us, amongst other things, augment grid supply with off-grid sources such as mini-grids.

“We were quite excited when our partnership with PowerGen provided us the prospect of validating the Rural Interconnected Mini-Grid business model that had been developed through the generous support from USTDA and Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI).

“The choice of Toto Community in Nasarawa State for the pilot project was not difficult for us and our partners to make, given the economic potential of the Community, which had been underserved.

“Even at the conception stage, we could envision the massive transformative impact a successful interconnected mini-grid project would have on Toto.

“We are indeed very glad that our vision at AEDC has come to fruition and the journey we embarked upon with our worthy partners, has been successfully completed.”

The managing director said the successful execution of this unique interconnected mini-grid project by AEDC in collaboration with PowerGen and REA is a testament to the renewed commitment to optimize renewable energy and off-grid opportunities to complement the grid capacity to ensure sustainable electricity supply to our esteemed customers.

He said this model will help deal with the challenges posed by the undeniable fact that the macro-economic realities of today make it commercially unviable for Distribution Companies to serve some locations within their coverage areas under the current grid arrangement.

He said AEDC will leverage this success to forge stronger partnerships and collaboration that would see the company execute more of this type of project.

Meanwhile, the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), Ahmad Salihijo Ahmad said President Bola Tinubu has succeeded in opening up the power sector to even more investment opportunities and participation, while providing the needed decentralized system for State Governments to optimally participate in the electricity market, across the entire value chain.

According to him, since the passage of the new Act, the Federal Ministry of Power continues to galvanize strategic multi-stakeholder engagements targeted at optimizing the essence and objectives of this solution-focused framework through the leadership direction of the minister.

He said: “We have the opportunity to take the Honourable Minister off-grid to an actual REA project. In the last couple of weeks, we have had the opportunity to provide a comprehensive briefing to the Minister.

“We are happy to be here together in Toto, Nasarawa to assess these projects and rejoice with the beneficiaries. Secondly, at 352.24Kwp, this is one of the nation’s largest inter-connected mini-grid and we are glad that as an Agency, we had the mandate to implement this very important project through the Nigeria Electrification Project.”

The minister of power, Adebayo Adelabu, has described the Friday incident in which an aircraft operated by Flint Aero crash-landed at the Samuel Ladoke Akintola Airport, Ibadan, Oyo state as a result of his desire to prioritise national assignment over personal interest.

The special adviser to the minister on strategic communication and public relations, Bolaji Tunji, made this known in a press statement issued at Abuja on Tuesday, November 7.

According to the statement, the minister spoke on Monday, November 6, when he was accosted by journalists at the portals of the ministry on his resumption of duty.

Adelabu said he left Abuja on Friday because he had an appointment to visit the soon-to-be-commissioned 2 X 60MVA, 132/33KVA transmission station in Ogbomoso, Oyo State on Saturday morning and to also join the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwoolu to commission the Oyingbo overpass of the Lagos Rail Mass Transit (LRMT) route on Sunday.

The statement quoted him as saying, “You will recall that we had a ministerial retreat with Mr President till late Friday evening.

However, due to the prior appointment in Ogbomoso, Oyo state, I had to personally pay for a private jet to convey us to Ibadan from the Villa where the retreat was held in order to meet the Saturday and Sunday appointments.”

The minister who expressed appreciation to everyone who showed concern over the incident said he had put the incident behind him.

 He said: “We thank the Almighty God that the incident was not more than that, however, we have a mandate from the President to boost power supply in the country, and we should not let anything deter us from that objective. You can all see that I am in the office to resume work. That is what matters and in the next few weeks, Nigerians will see further improvements in power supply.”

The minister said since his appointment, he had seized the opportunity to engage the various stakeholders such as the generating and distribution companies and other related organisations in the power sector value chain ladder to identify the issues and why we have not had any improvement in the sector in spite of government’s huge investment in the sector.

Read Also: Crash: I’m in good spirits, says Minister of Power, Adelabu

He said: “You all know that I am not the first Minister to be appointed in this Ministry, we have had a lot of prominent Nigerians holding forth here. The question to then ask is; why have we not had any significant improvement in the sector? We do not want to go the same way, we want to know what the challenges are and these have been identified. We are interested in a delivery–focused strategy to boost power supply.”

Adelabu said a retreat for all the various stakeholders will be held before the end of the year.

He added: “Some of these stakeholders are the major operators in the industry and it is important that we are all on the same page on the steps that must be taken to boost power supply.”

Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, has urged the Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA) to diligently implement its Service Charter 2023.

This Charter mandates the agency to conduct technical inspectorate services on installations belonging to Distribution Companies (DisCos), Generation Companies (GenCos), and the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN).

Specifically, item 10:0 of the Service Delivery and Provision in NEMSA’s Service Charter 2023 necessitates the certification of various electrical projects and installations, including those by GenCos, TCN, DisCos, contractors, and mini-grid developers.

The chapter has mandated the customer (GenCos, DisCos etc) to submit a request letter for inspection with all relevant documents and ensure payment of statutory inspection fees.

On the other hand, the charter insists that the agency must issue a certificate of fulfillment of statutory requirements within seven working days to the customers.

Meanwhile, Adelabu, who was represented by the Director of Reform Coordination and Service Improvement Department, Mrs Titilayo Adeyo at the NEMSA Customer Service Week 2023/Charter Launch in Abuja, noted that effective implementation of the Charter will certainly improve services.

The team of the event was: “Team Service.”

The minister also stressed that an effective implementation of the charter will provide education on the rights and obligations of electricity consumers.

According to him, it will address complaints through the redress mechanism the charter has put in place.

Adelabu said: “It is important to point out that an effective implementation of this charter will definitely improve services, give education on the rights and obligations of electricity consumers, address complaints through the redress mechanism put in place, improve staff competencies, skills, productivity and human resources administration as well as produce result-based performances.”

He described the service charter as an operational tool that guides service providers on their responsibilities; and, directs service takers (customers) on their expectations.

The minister said it is a set of promises that citizens can expect and demand quality services from; and of which they can have recourse when services fail.

According to him, the service charter is, therefore, crucial to the Management, Staff, and Stakeholders of NEMSA.

He stressed that this will provide essential ingredients to continuously improve its service delivery to the general populace.

Adelabu further said: “As we are well aware, the Service Charter establishes the high standards of service that the electricity customers can expect from us at the Power Sector, it provides information on how the customer can comment on the Agency’s services, including how complaints can be lodged, and compliments and suggestions made.

He said: “On the second reason why we are gathered here, which is the commemoration of Customer Service Week, we are glad and grateful to the Almighty God for the opportunity to be part of the year 2023 international event, which relays and displays the importance of customer service; in celebration of the people who serve and support customers on a daily basis. It usually is a time to highlight the core values of Integrity; Respect; Improvement; Courage and Citizenship.”

He encouraged the agency to continuously be as customer-focused and citizen-centered as it has been while joining hands to upgrade services in the Power Sector.

In his welcome remarks, the NEMSA Managing Director, Tukur Aliyu said it is a fact that an agency’s service charter is a policy guideline on service delivery that demands functions and obligations of the agency to be functional and the customer’s obligations to the agency to ensure delivery and quality service to customers.

Read Also: Crash: I’m in good spirits, says Minister of Power, Adelabu

Aliyu, who is also the Chief Electrical Inspection Officer of the Federation further described the customer service week as an internationally recognized period set out to celebrate the customers of the agency and the importance of customer service and the people who serve and support customers.

He added that the customers’ service week is therefore organized to celebrate the importance of frontline service providers, who have given their all in ensuring quality service delivery to customers.   

Speaking, the SERVICOM National Coordinator, Mrs. Nnena Akajemeli urged NEMSA to embrace the spirit of teamwork.

She said teamwork brings excellent customer service.

According to her, customer service is a tool that helps to measure performance. He urged the agency to keep its promises to both internal and external customers.

Tasking NEMSA on training, she also urged the management to develop a framework for measuring customer experience.

Minister of Power, Mr Adebayo Adelabu, on Saturday allayed fears about his safety following Friday’s incident near the Ladoke Akintola Airport in Ibadan, Oyo State.

A source close to the Minister told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ibadan that Adelabu was in good spirits and not perturbed by the incident.

NAN reports that the private aircraft which had the minister and some of his aides had crash-landed near the airport late Friday evening.

”The Minister feels the incident is not something to worry about. It was actually a minor thing, and that is how he has taken it,” an aide of the Minister, who asked to stay anonymous, said.

He told NAN further that the Minister was particularly not worried by the incident because it did not involve any of the passengers leaving with any injury.

”Everyone on board the aircraft when the incident happened actually alighted without any problem, and we have no cause to worry,” the aide said.

The aircraft had departed Abuja with Ibadan as its destination, but it landed about 50 metres short of the threshold and skidded into a ditch close to the runway.

Read Also: Surge in gas price affecting stable power supply – Adelabu

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), in a statement issued on Saturday, said it had commenced investigation into the cause of the incident.

“On the accident involving an aircraft operated by Flint Aero which occured at the Samuel Ladoke Akintola Airport Ibadan, please be informed that the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has commenced investigation into the cause.”

Our investigators are on site and further information will be provided as soon as possible,” NSIB said in the statement issued by its Director, Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Dr James Odaudu.

(NAN)

The minister of power, Adebayo Adelabu, said the surge in gas prices has a profound impact on our power generation subsector.

He said some of the key consequences include increased cost of production; reduced reliability; investment challenges; and environmental concerns when power companies resort to using cheaper but more polluting fuels.

Adelabu said the surge affects not only our economy but also the daily lives of every Nigerian citizen.

He said this on Thursday, November 2, in Abuja at the African Natural Resource and Energy Investment Summit (AFNIS 2023).

He said: “As we begin conversation on Power and Renewable Energy at this summit today, I want us to discuss a matter of utmost importance that affects not only our economy but also the daily lives of every Nigerian citizen; the impact of high gas prices on power generation in Nigeria. In recent times, we have witnessed a significant increase in the price of natural gas in the global market.

“This surge in gas price has a profound impact on our power generation subsector. Let me mention some of the key consequences which include increased cost of production; reduced reliability; investment challenges; and environmental concerns when power companies resort to using cheaper but more polluting fuels.

“I am using this medium to seek your continued cooperation and collaboration so that we can together implement government policies and programmes in the energy sector for the well-being of Nigerians and the country’s economic development. I also encourage all of you to engage actively in the discussions, network with fellow participants, and explore potential collaborations. Together, we can unlock the full potential of Nigeria’s energy sector and set the stage for a brighter, more sustainable future.

“You will agree with me that the Nigerian government is making commendable efforts in the power sector to address the long-standing issues of electricity supply. While there is still work to be done, the commitment to improving the power sector is evident.

“The initiatives to expand access to electricity, upgrade infrastructure, promote renewable energy, and encourage private investment are steps in the right direction. With continued dedication and collaboration between the government, private sector, and other key stakeholders, Nigeria can look forward to a brighter future with a more robust and reliable power supply.”

Senior director of African Finance Corporation (AFC), Taiwo Adeniji said one of the key paths towards the achievement of net zero is significantly scaling up investments in green projects.

Read Also: Adelabu insists on review of REA corruption allegation response

He said it is estimated that Africa requires about US$250 billion annually to close the climate financing gap. High volumes of finance are required for sustainable infrastructure (clean energy and transport systems, green buildings, etc.)

He noted: “One of the key paths towards the achievement of net zero is significantly scaling up investments in green projects. At AFC we believe the most efficient way to transform the continent, without further aggravating the climate situation, is to increase the amount of green energy available within Africa and at the same time develop the industrial capacity of the continent. Africa indeed holds the key to the world’s transition to a sustainable future, being the home to significant proportions of the key transition metals, yet today it not only pays the price for the climate indiscretion of the past but also struggles in accessing the funds it needs to change the course for a better future.

“It is estimated that Africa requires about US$250 billion annually to close the climate financing gap. High volumes of finance are required for sustainable infrastructure (clean energy and transport systems, green buildings, etc.). The bulk of these resources are expected to come from the private sector. Thus, African governments have a responsibility to design and implement conducive policies and regulations to attract private investments, particularly in priority sectors for climate action and green growth.”