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  • Adelabu to Nigerians: stop buying transformers, poles, cables for DisCos

    Adelabu to Nigerians: stop buying transformers, poles, cables for DisCos

    The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu has told Nigerians to stop buying electricity infrastructures including, transformers, poles saying it is the responsibility of the Distribution companies (DisCos) to provide infrastructure for service delivery.

    This is as he also advised Nigerians to report any strange movement around power infrastructure across the country to security agencies so as to reduce spate of attack and vandalisation on the facilities.

    The Minister made the appeal while speaking during a courtesy call on Oyo state governor Seyi Makinde in his Agodi Secretariat, Ibadan on Monday.

    Adelabu was in the state on a working visit to inspect power infrastructure and commission a sub-station.

    The minister had earlier addressed workers at the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) Sub-Station, Ayede Ibadan as well as management staff at the headquarters of the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company, Ring Road, Ibadan.

    Speaking, the minister said it is the responsibility of the DisCos to provide the infrastructures that are required to deliver their service such as cables, poles, transformers and the likes, since it would be paid for by the consumers.

    The minister warned that President Bola Tinubu frowns at the situation where communities would be forced to purchase transformers, poles and cables and electricity distribution companies taking ownership of same to provide services that customers will still pay.

    He warned that the current administration will not tolerate a situation where communities will be forced to purchase such items by themselves while also asking Nigerians to desist from paying for darkness, adding that a constant and stable power supply is one of the main focuses of the present administration.

    He said: “It is the responsibility of the distribution companies to provide transformers, cables and poles to communities so that power supply can improve.

    “A situation where communities buy transformers, cables and poles must stop. As a minister, I don’t want to hear news of communities being asked to purchase electric transformers, cables and poles. If the consumers are paying for the electricity, then it is the responsibility of the distribution companies to provide these items.

    “There must be improvement in power supply. That is what the government planned to do. People should not pay for darkness. When people have a 24-hour power supply, they can pay double for electricity because you have saved them the money to power generators.

    Read Also: Adelabu to Nigerians: stop buying transformers, poles, cables for discos

    “We don’t want to hear the news of communities buying transformers, cables and poles for themselves again. The Federal Government frowns at it. You see what we have done in Kaduna. Service to our people is paramount. It is the responsibility that Mr. President has placed on us.”

    Appealing for more security consciousness on power infrastructures, the minister said: “Some people are working to destroy our national assets; it is our responsibility to protect them collectively.

    “When you notice any strange movement around our national assets, let us escalate it. Any strange movement should be reported to the security agencies. We can do it individually. We have the support of Mr. President, the National Security Adviser and all security agencies.

    “We have seen the destruction of transmission wires in some parts of the country. These are the assets that cost billions of naira to install. It is a fight that must be jointly fought.”

    He told Governor Makinde that as the Oyo State’s representative in the Federal Cabinet, the visit has nothing to do with politics but governance, adding that he came to seek ways and means of collaboration with the state government.

    During the visit, the minister also inspected 132KV Oluewu transmission sub-station in Oyo and commissioned 100Kwh solar mini grid in Adafila, Ogbomoso under rural electrification projects.

    He also paid a courtesy call on the Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye in his Ogbomoso Palace.

  • Adelabu to Nigerians: stop buying transformers, poles, cables for discos

    Adelabu to Nigerians: stop buying transformers, poles, cables for discos

    The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu has told Nigerians to stop buying electricity infrastructures including, transformers, and poles, saying it is the responsibility of the Distribution companies (Discos) to provide infrastructure for service delivery.

    This is, as he also advised Nigerians to report any strange movement around power infrastructure across the country to security agencies to reduce the spate of attacks and vandalisation of the facilities.

    The minister appealed while speaking during a courtesy call on Oyo state governor Seyi Makinde in his Agodi Secretariat, Ibadan on Monday, January 15.

    Adelabu was in the state on a working visit to inspect power infrastructure and commission a substation.

    The minister had earlier addressed workers at the Transmission Company of Nigeria Sub Station, Ayede Ibadan as well as management staff at the headquarters of the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company, Ring Road, Ibadan.

    Speaking, the Minister said it is the responsibility of the Discos to provide the infrastructures that are required to deliver their service such as cables, poles, transformers and the like, since it would be paid for by the consumers.

    The minister warned that President Bola Tinubu frowns at the situation where communities would be forced to purchase transformers, poles and cables and electricity distribution companies take ownership of the same to provide services that customers will still pay.

    Read Also: Adelabu: Fed Govt to prioritise rural electrification

    He warned that the current administration will not tolerate a situation where communities will be forced to purchase such items by themselves while also asking Nigerians to desist from paying for darkness, adding that a constant and stable power supply is one of the main focuses of the present administration.

    He said: “It is the responsibility of the distribution companies to provide transformers, cables, and poles to communities so that power supply can improve.

    “A situation where communities buy transformers, cables, and poles must stop. As a minister, I don’t want to hear news of communities being asked to purchase electric transformers, cables, and poles. If the consumers are paying for the electricity, then it is the responsibility of the distribution companies to provide these items.

    “There must be improvement in power supply. That is what the government planned to do. People should not pay for darkness. When people have a 24-hour power supply, they can pay double for electricity because you have saved them the money to power generators.

    “We don’t want to hear the news of communities buying transformers, cables and poles for themselves again. The federal government frowns at it. You see what we have done in Kaduna. Service to our people is paramount. It is the responsibility that Mr. President has placed on us.”

    Appealing for more security consciousness on power infrastructures, the Minister said “Some people are working to destroy our national assets, it is our responsibility to protect them collectively.

    “When you notice any strange movement around our national assets, let us escalate it. Any strange movement should be reported to the security agencies. We can do it individually. We have the support of Mr. President, the National Security Adviser and all security agencies.

    “We have seen the destruction of transmission wires in some parts of the country. These are the assets that cost billions of naira to install. It is a fight that must be jointly fought.”

    He told Governor Makinde that as the Oyo state’s representative in the Federal cabinet, the visit has nothing to do with politics but governance, adding that he came to seek ways and means of collaboration with the state government.

    During the visit, the Minister also inspected the 132KV Oluewu transmission sub-station in Oyo and commissioned a 100Kwh solar mini-grid in Adafila, Ogbomoso under rural electrification projects.

    He also paid a courtesy call on the Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Gandhi Afolabi Olaoye in his Ogbomoso Palace.

  • Adelabu: Fed Govt to prioritise rural electrification

    Adelabu: Fed Govt to prioritise rural electrification

    • Minister unveils new strategy for power sector

    Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, has reassured Nigerians of his ministry’s commitment to prioritising electricity supply in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu‘s Electricity Turnaround Agenda.

    In his New Year message, the minister promised that the ministry, its agencies and power distribution companies (DisCos) worked tirelessly during the Yuletide season to enhance power supply.

    He said there had been some positive improvements in the power supply situation.

    Adelabu said in recognising the critical role of electricity to economic growth, his first three months in office focused on the diagnosis, stakeholder consultation, and strategy formulation.

    The minister said with a well-documented implementation plan, the ministry was ready to take decisive action.

    “Our primary focus is enhancing distribution and transmission infrastructure to minimise technical and commercial losses. The lack of liquidity continues to be a significant challenge in the electricity market.

    “We are currently reviewing the implementation process of a cost reflective tariff, while government will continue to subsidise power supply to those that are vulnerable in our society. Closing the meter gap is imperative, and ongoing initiatives, including World Bank programmes and the Presidential Metering Initiatives, will gain momentum.

    Read Also; I’ll justify the trust Nigerians place on me – Tinubu

    “The ministry will intervene in distribution infrastructure, supplying transformers to communities without burdening citizens financially,” he said.

    Adelabu also said rural electrification would remain a priority with plans for solar-powered mini/micro grids and street lights.

    The minister said the government would collaborate closely with DisCos and state electricity boards.

    “Our efforts will align with local needs,” he said.

    Adelabu announced that for the country to improve the transmission infrastructure, “we have reactivated the Presidential Power Initiative (Siemens Project) which will strengthen the national grid, and minimise technical losses”.

    He added: “We will also be implementing the Eastern and Western super grid projects to strengthen the grid and increase electricity supply to demand centres in the country.

    “The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) will be reconstituted in the short term, separating transmission services from system and market operations in the first quarter of this year.

    “In the medium to long-term, the transmission grid will be separated into regional grids to enable effective management.

    “Generating at installed capacity is a goal for government-owned plants, while private companies are encouraged to invest further.

    “Off-grid and distributed generation, utilising renewables, will be a focal point, solar PV plants, small hydro plants, and wind farms will be strategically deployed.”

  • Adelabu promises stable power during Yuletide

    Adelabu promises stable power during Yuletide

    Minister of Power Chief Adebayo Adelabu has assured of efforts to ensure stable power supply during the Yuletide.

    In a message titled: ‘Fostering Unity and Progress’, Adelabu prayed that the season of love and sacrifice inspire unity and compassion among Nigerians.

    The statement reads: “In the spirit of Christmas, I extend heartfelt felicitations to Christians and fellow Nigerians. May this season of love and sacrifice inspire unity and compassion among us.

    “As we reflect on the birth of Jesus Christ, a symbol of love and peace, let us emulate His spirit of selflessness and embrace one another across faiths and divides. Unity is paramount for our nation’s development, thriving in an environment of peace and tranquility. 

    Read Also; Florence Ita-Giwa retires?

    “Let’s prioritise giving, love, and remembrance of God’s love through Jesus Christ. Regardless of our faith, let’s unite in prayers for the peace and progress of Nigeria, our shared home.

    “Furthermore, I want to assure all citizens that efforts are diligently underway to enhance power supply during this festive season. Recognizing the importance of electricity in our daily lives, my ministry is committed to ensuring a more reliable and improved power infrastructure. We understand the significance of uninterrupted power, especially during celebrations, and are working tirelessly to provide a stable electricity supply. Your comfort and enjoyment during this Yuletide season are paramount, and we are dedicated to making substantial progress in delivering an enhanced power experience for all.”

  • Nation building: Shettima, Adelabu, Albert, others calls for radical shift in attitude, approach

    Nation building: Shettima, Adelabu, Albert, others calls for radical shift in attitude, approach

    Vice President Kashim Shettima,  a professor of African History, Peace and Conflict Studies at the University of Ibadan, Isaac Olawale Albert, the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, among other speakers have called for an attitudinal change among Nigerians as the key to driving economic growth, social cohesion and environmental protection in the country.

    They said the call became imperative in order to re-engineer Nigeria for sustainable development.

    The stakeholders noted that the problems facing Nigeria are not new but require bold and decisive action to address, adding that attitudinal change will require the buy-in of all citizens and called for renewed commitment to nation-building.

    The speakers made the call at the University of Ibadan, during their seperate remarks at the 74th posthumous birthday of a former governor of the state, Abiola Ajimobi, which coincided with the 6th Annual Senator Abiola Ajimobi Roundtable.

    The event which held at Senator Abiola Ajimobi Resource Centre, Faculty of Multidisciplinary Studies, University of Ibadan held under the chairmanship of Vice President Kashim Shettima while Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and immediate past Governor of Kano State, Alhaji Abdullahi Ganduje was the special guest of honour.

    While speaking, the vice president, who was represented by his Senior Special Assistant (Legal and Compliance matters), Bashir Maidugu, urged Nigerians to take a more active role in improving the country’s social, economic, and environmental well-being. 

    He stressed that attitudinal change is a key component in transforming the country into a prosperous nation.

    Read Also; Ex-APC national chair, Adamu, announces retirement from politics

    According to Shettima, attitudinal change is a crucial element of this effort, as it will require a fundamental shift in the way people think and act. 

    He, however, highlighted the need for citizens to take responsibility for their own actions and work together for “Nigeria’s future prosperity and sustainability.

    “Nigerians must stop the blame game and work together to develop our nation. We must stop pointing fingers and realize that our success as a nation is dependent on each and every one of us. We must change our attitudes and start building a new Nigeria, where every citizen is committed to progress and development.” 

    He added that the government alone cannot transform Nigeria, and called on the private sector, civil society, and the international community to join in the effort, saying that a collective commitment to attitudinal change is the key to a brighter future for Nigeria.

    In his keynote address, the power minister, Adebayo Adelabu noted that re-engineering, implies changing and improving the design of a product or system, adding that, “crritically applied to Nigeria, re-engineering is changing and improving our society with the objective of achieving a better society as contained in parts of the Preambles to the Nigerian Constitution.

    “Promoting the good government and welfare of all persons in our country on the principles of freedom, equality and justice, and for the purpose of consolidating the Unity of our people.

    “Leadership and followership are the twin problem of Nigerian underdevelopment in the 21st Century. No nations can exist and truly carry out the cause of nationalism without leadership and followership. The two are so interwoven that hardly can you talk about one without the other.”

    “It is likened to a thread and the needle which are both needed to function in tailoring a cloth without which no proper sewing can be made. In tailoring a nation, leadership and followership must be involved. For where there is bad leadership, the followership will be grossly contaminated and where there is a bad followership, the leaders will be turned sour.

    “Both will lack the necessary inspiration, motivation and encouragement to drive the wheel of national progress and keep the nation on the right track. The 21st century Nigeria is on the threshold of backwardness due to bad leadership and followership.

    While proffering recipe, Adelabu said: “We should note that our options are limited to unleashing the vast potential in this country through industrialization. Investing in industries and promoting local production will strengthen the economy. More focus should be on investment in Education.”

    He described Ajimobi as his great benefactor who persuaded him to contest the governorship election in 2019.

    Also in his lead paper presentation, the guest speaker, and the pioneer dean, Faculty of Multidisciplinary Studies, University of Ibadan, Prof. Isaac Albert, stated that re-engineering a society for a sustainable development requires that individuals and groups drop their selfish goals for the higher goals of national survival.

    Speaking on the theme: “Re-engineering Nigeria for Sustainable Development: Options, Cost and Prospects,” the don observed that what is needed for the building of sustainable peace and democracy in Nigeria, being a federal state, is a constitution that truly connects the people and that the Nigerian leaders will obey.

    He appealed to Nigerians to be mindful of the criticism of the policies of President Bola Tinubu so as not to discourage him from reaching the full potentials of his vision.

    According to him, the recent creation of some new ministries by the President, particularly the ministry of Marine and Blue Economy as well as that Art, Culture and Creative Economy among others are indications that that the President saw several things that could take the country forward.

    He said: “The President has created some new ministries and one of the most interesting of them is the Blue Economy. The Blue Economy in Nigeria is rich. With oil not properly exploited, divesting into the sea suggested to me that the man saw several things and we should allow him to come up with all that he is looking at that will take this country forward.

    “Criticism of the President might prevent him from telling us all that he saw or that he is seeing and therefore, we should encourage him.

    “And the next one also is the Ministry of creative industry. Anywhere I go in the world, people talk about Nollywood than any other thing.

    “Now, If we have that type of reputation outside as a result of Nollywood, I was asking myself why is it that government cannot see it, invest in it and use it to the advantage of the country. And that we are just seeing”, he added.

    Also in a goodwill message, the Vice Chancellor, UI, Prof Kayode Adebowale described the deceased as one of the most highly revered personalities Nigeria has produced.

    He added that the former governor introduced some initiatives which helped to ensure the security of lives and property in the state during his tenure.

    Adebowale said: “Today, we are here gathered again to honour posthumously one of the most highly revered personalities that this country has produced; an illustrious son of Ibadan, a former Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and the first two-term Governor of Oyo State who served from 2011-2019 and thereafter served as the Deputy National Chairman South of the All Progressive Congress (APC) – the Late Senator Abiola Ajimobi.

    “Everyone who knew Oyo State and especially Ibadan before his reign can attest to the high level of crime and insecurity in the state, such as armed robbery, including banks in front of

    University; the NURTW perennial crisis in the state, and all manners and forms of insecurity.

    “The establishment and equipping of the ‘Operation Burst’ took care of the problems of insecurity in the state. With regards to the NURTW menace, some people went to prison and that brought about peace in the state throughout his eight-year tenure.”

    Earlier in her address of welcome, wife of the late former governor, Chief Mrs Florence Ajimobi, said the roundtable further signposts the unflinching belief in the vision behind the budding collaboration, mainly succinctly put as the pursuit of the ideals of good governance and the accelerated development for the Nigerian state.

    The event attracted dignitaries from different walks of life, which included Oyo State, Governor Seyi Makinde, represented by his deputy, Bayo Lawal; Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, captains of industries, All Progressives Congress, APC chieftains, among others.

    Some of the notable personalities at the event Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State; Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu; Chairman, Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) Dr. Zacheus Adedeji; former Minister for Trade, Mrs. Onikepo Akande; former Minister for Finance, Kemi Adeosun; and the deceased’s wife, Florence Ajimobi.

    Others are the senator representing Oyo North, Dr. Abdulfatai Buhari; Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Professor Saliu Adelabu; Vice Chancellor, University of Ibadan, Professor Kayode Adebowale; former Chairman, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) Professor Adeolu Akande; former APC Chairman, Chief Akin Oke; Professor Tunji Olaopa and Professor Tajudeen Akanji.

    Also at the event are former Assistant Inspector General of Police Leye Oyebade, former ALGON Chairman Ayodeji Abass-Aleshinloye, friends, family members and associates of the former governor.

  • Why I returned to APC – Minister of Power

    Why I returned to APC – Minister of Power

    The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, has said he decided to return to the All Progressives Congress (APC) because of the need to support President Bola Tinubu deliver on his electoral promises.

    The Nation reports that Adelabu on Friday dumped the Accord Party, the platform under which he contested the 2023 governorship election in Oyo state. 

    He assured that he did not return to the APC in a bid to contest the 2027 governorship ticket of the party.

    Speaking at the state party secretariat, Oke Ado, Ibadan, when he led hundreds of his supporters, loyalist and associates back to the APC, the minister reiterated that himself, other gladiators and leaders that left the party with him have formally returned to the party.

    He explained that they earlier left the party based on principle and lack of internal democracy and not because they had any querrel or fight with the party or any party members.

    Read Also: Help retrieve our mandate, Bayelsa APC begs to Ganduje

    He said “I decamp not because of 2027 governorship ambition or to takeover the party but because I believe this is a party that brought President Bola Tinubu to power and we need to support him to deliver on his electoral promises.

    “This is not time for politics, it is time for governance and Tinubu need our support for him to succeed and deliver on his Renewed Hope Agenda.

    “I have come back to the party not to takeover the party and not to dissolve executives. We have come to the party to extend hands of fellowship and reconciliation.

    “We are assuring you that we are back for cooperation and collaboration for us to build a strong party so that the party will takeover power in the state at the end of the day by 2027.”

    In his remark, the Oyo State APC Chairman, Isaac Omodewu, who was represented by the Secretary, Alhaji Tajudeen Olanike, said the party was open for reconciliation from all members so as to have a stronger party.

    Also speaking, former Oyo State Deputy Governor, Moses Adeyemo, said the party needed peace and unity of all members for it progress and success

    Recall that Adelabu had in May 2022 decamp from APC to Accord party after failing to secure the governorship ticket of the party.

    He had earlier in 2019 contested the same position under the platform of the APC but lost to Governor Seyi Makinde who won a second term in office. 

  • Adelabu seeks investment of N17tr pension fund in power sector

    Adelabu seeks investment of N17tr pension fund in power sector

    • Edun: we want to solve power supply issues, grow economy

    Power Minister Adebayo Adelabu yesterday urged pension fund administrators (PFAs) jointly holding over N17 trillion to infuse the capital into investment in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI).

    The minister lent his voice to those “encouraging our Pension Fund Administrators, who collectively wield over N17 trillion, to delve into understanding NESI and fostering bankable strategies for capital infusion is pivotal”.

    He said there were bilateral contracts among electricity generation companies (GenCos) and electricity distribution companies (DisCos) alongside the formation of energy investment holding companies integrating generation and distribution assets.

    Adelabu insisted that the time had come to unbundle the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) in accordance with the Electricity Act 2023.

    The minister spoke during the ministerial retreat on Integrated National Electricity Policy and Strategic Implementation Plan yesterday in Abuja.

    He noted that the NESI transmission sub-sector had been identified as a critical weak point in the value chain, saying the view was widely shared.

    Adelabu said: “To align with the Electricity Act 2023 and the industry’s demands, it’s time to restructure the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) into two entities: the Independent System Operator (ISO) and the Transmission Service Provider (TSP).”

    The minister said the restructuring must align with the evolving landscape of state electricity markets, address calls for the decentralisation of the national grid into regional grids interconnected by a new higher voltage national or super-grid.

    According to him, the time has come to draw comparisons with China’s centralised model and the Unites States’ diverse access models – like rural cooperatives and state-based utilities with regulatory oversight — and present various considerations.

    Read Also: Kaduna bombing: Tinubu’s daughter visits victims, donates N5m to injured survivors

    Adelabu said there should be a conversation on transition energy to ensure that over 98 per cent of electricity generated in Nigeria is through clean or transition fuels which shape the discourse and activities to be undertaken as we strive to achieve net zero Co2 emissions by 2060. 

    Also, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, urged the stakeholders to come up with an implementation plan that must provide the basis for growing the economy.

    He said: “Finally, just to say that in addition to all the other options that we have for providing electricity, we now have an array of options regarding renewable energy, green energy, solar, and so on and so forth. 

    “But it cannot be that you have a choice of either going green or protecting the environment. What we want to see is the solutions of providing power, providing electricity, and growing the economy rapidly, sustainably and inclusively.”

    “I think that is the mandate of all these stakeholders here today that when you come out with this plan, it must meet those conditions.

    “As much as possible, they should protect the environment, but above all, it must provide the basis of growing the Nigerian economy.”

  • Why Mambilla power project got zero allocation in 2024 budget, by Adelabu

    Why Mambilla power project got zero allocation in 2024 budget, by Adelabu

    • Umahi seeks increase in ministry’s budget to N1.5tr

    • Non-farmers getting govt’s agric intervention, says minister

    • Senate seeks 10% budget allocation to agric

    • Reps propose tripartite committee on monetary, fiscal policies

    Power Minister Adebayo Adelabu has explained why funds were not allocated to the Mambilla power project in his ministry’s 2024 budget.

    Adelabu spoke when he appeared before the Senate and House of Representatives Joint Committee on Power to defend the ministry’s 2024 budget estimates.

    The minister said the Mambilla Power project was a subject of litigation and international arbitration.

    Sunrise Power and Transmission Company Limited (SPTCL) had, on October 10, 2017, sued the Federal Government at the International Court of Arbitration administered by the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) in Paris, France, for “breach of contract” over a 2003 agreement to construct the 3,050MW plant in Mambilla, Taraba State, on a “build, operate and transfer” basis for $6 billion.

    He said: “For Mambilla, there is no provision for it in 2024. It isn’t a mistake; it is deliberate. It is under international arbitration. Until it is resolved, we can’t do anything about it.”

    Speaking on the Zungeru Hydro Power Project, which is expected to generate 700 megawatts of electricity, the minister said: “The hydro power plant is 99.8 per cent ready. It is almost completed, and we intend to start operation this year and commence evacuation to the national grid. Immediately concessionary fees are paid, we will start full operation. So, we don’t have problem with Zungeru.”

    Read Also: Why The Nation swept all stakes at prestigious 32nd DAME

    Also, Works Minister Dave Umahi has called for an increase in the ministry’s 2024 budget to N1.5 trillion.

    He said the increase is critical to the completion of at least 10 selected critical roads and bridges in each of the six geo-political zones of the country.

    In the 2023 fiscal year, the Ministry of Works and Housing, including its parastatals, got an appropriation of N534,455,695,989, out of which the Works and Housing sectors got a total capital of N453,255,980,966.

    After the demerger of the ministry, the Federal Ministry of Works got an allocation of N383,351,656,449 as capital, with overhead expenses of N525,362,343.96, and personnel costs totalling N6,916,751,203.

    Umahi, who spoke yesterday while appearing before the joint National Assembly Committee on Works for the defence of the ministry’s 2023 budget and the presentation of the 2024 budget, said the current Appropriation for the ministry was insufficient.

    The minister highlighted the inclusion of new projects in the 2024 budget, amounting to a total cost of N102,956,624,538.

    He explained that without the requested increase, the ministry might encounter challenges in completing crucial ongoing projects that have already reached significant stages among the proposed 693 new projects for 2024.

    He told the lawmakers that 693 new projects were proposed in the 2024 budget, saying they were critical to improving the nation’s road network connectivity and enhancing traffic circulation on the Federal road network necessary for boosting socio-economic activities in the country.

    Also, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, has said the database of farmers benefiting from agricultural intervention programmes of the Federal Government had been corrupted and politicised.

    The minister said this when he appeared before a joint National Assembly Committee on Agriculture to defend his ministry’s 2024 budget estimates.

    Kyari, a former senator representing Borno North, insisted that the existing farmers’ database consisted of names of politicians who are not even farmers.

    He said: “Our main problem today is the clean data of farmers. Unless our team will have that, we can never get it right.

    “Today, even in some of the programmes that we have, I found one of our political bosses who has never been a farmer. He has never farmed in his life. He received a text message that he should go and redeem his fertiliser from an agro dealer and he called me and said: ‘Did you put my name in the palliative?’

    “It is not even palliative. I said I don’t even know your full name. I only know you as Bagura. I didn’t know that you are Bagura so so and so.

    “So, he sent me a copy of the text message.  That is to tell you how corrupt that database is.”

    Also, the Senate has urged the Executive arm of government to ensure allocation of at least 10 per cent of total annual budget revenue to agricultural production.

    The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture Production, Services and Rural Development, Salihu Mustapha (APC, Kwara) made the request at the joint budget defence session of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security yesterday in Abuja.

    Mustapha said the Senate and House committees on Agriculture Production, Services and Rural Development were concerned about the challenges facing the agricultural sector.

    He noted that despite the challenges, the sector remained the largest contributor to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) from non-oil sector with over 20 per cent.

  • 2024 budget: Why Mambilla Power project zero allocation – Adelabu

    2024 budget: Why Mambilla Power project zero allocation – Adelabu

    The minister of power, Adebayo Adelabu, on Monday, December 11, explained why funds were not allocated for the Mambilla Power Project in his ministry’s 2024 budget.

    Adelabu spoke when he appeared before the Senate and House of Representatives Joint Committee on Power to defend the ministry’s 2024 budget estimates.

    The minister said that the Mambilla Power project is currently a subject of litigation and international arbitration.

    It could be recalled that Sunrise Power and Transmission Company Limited (SPTCL) had on October 10, 2017, sued the federal government at the International Court of Arbitration administered by the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), Paris, France for “breach of contract” about a 2003 agreement to construct the 3,050MW plant in Mambilla, Taraba state, on a “build, operate and transfer” basis for $6 billion.

    The minister of power told the senators and members of the House of Representatives that he deliberately removed the Mambilla Project from the Ministry’s 2024 budget.

    Adelabu said: “For Mambilla, there is no provision for it in 2024. It isn’t a mistake. It is deliberate. It is under international arbitration. Until it is resolved, we can’t do anything about it.”

    Read Also: BREAKING: Power minister, Adelabu dumps Accord, to rejoin APC

    Speaking on the Zungeru Hydro Power Project, the Minister of Power said it was almost completed.

    He said: “The hydropower plant is 99.8 percent ready. It is almost completed and we intend to start operation this year and commence evacuation to the national grid. Immediately concessionary fees are paid, and we will start full operation. So, we don’t have a problem with Zungeru.”

    The Zungeru Hydro Power Project which is a hydroelectricity Power Plant, located in Niger state, is a 700MegaWatt power station.

    The minister told the lawmakers that the biggest challenge facing the power sector is not generation, but distribution.

    He insisted that substantial power generated in the country is lost in the process of distribution.

    He attributed the challenge of loss of power to the distance between the generation sites to the distribution network.

    He asserted that the facilities of the existing power distribution companies were obsolete and needed to be upgraded.

    Adelabu noted: “In the process of transmission to distribution, we lose power because of the distance of travel. You lose close to 40 percent when you move from the area of transmission to distribution.

    “The existing Distribution Companies, (DisCos) aren’t doing new investments to change their old facilities to new ones. When you lose 40 percent to evacuation, it is a big loss. So we need to have enormous investment in the distribution chain.

    “What we are trying to do going forward, is to expand our transmission facilities. Within the next two years, there must be improvement.”

    He further explained challenges in the distribution of power in the country and reiterated his call for the unbundling of the distribution companies.

    He said: “The government can take responsibility for transmission because it is fully owned. But when it comes to distribution, the states must be involved. The DisCos must be closely monitored by states.”

    The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Power, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, however, expressed strong reservations about the off-grid power that is given free to rural consumers. He insisted that such ventures are not sustainable.

    In his response, the minister of power said his ministry was already making efforts to ensure the sustainability of the project.

    The minister said: “We have taken steps to ensure that the projects aren’t flash in the pan, that they are sustainable.

    “Going forward, we are going to install batteries that have a life span of a minimum of eight years. Most of the communities see it as Corporate Social Responsibility and as free power. But we are telling them that isn’t sustainable.

    “We are going to involve a private sector operator to ensure that they pay a token. If the community chooses to maintain it themselves they can organise themselves into a team to ensure that the technology is sustained.

    “The second aspect is that the off-grid we are going to use going forward will be embedded into the existing DisCos. If you are connected to the DisCos in your areas, they can allow you to use their light to recharge your batteries.”

    Senator Abaribe however commended the Minister for what he called his detailed understanding of development in the power sector.

    Abaribe said: “For someone not in the power industry, you seem to have a grasp of the issues. We shall look at your budget and see how we can work with you, but we need to see a year’s summary of your budget performance.”

  • BREAKING: Power minister, Adelabu dumps Accord, to rejoin APC

    BREAKING: Power minister, Adelabu dumps Accord, to rejoin APC

    The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, is set to return to the All Progressives Congress (APC), The Nation has learnt.

    Recall Adelabu was the gubernatorial candidate for the Accord party in the Oyo 2023 election.

    He left APC during the build-up to the Oyo 2023 elections after losing to Senator Teslim Folarin at the party’s primary.

    Read Also: Improved power supply underway, says  Adelabu

    In the letter obtained by The Nation, addressed to the state chairman and APC leaders in Oyo state, Adelabu stated that he will officially announce his return at a ceremony to be held at the party office in Oke-Ado on December 15, 2023.

    Adelabu expressed his desire for a robust working relationship with the state executive, party leaders, and entire party members towards achieving the renewed hope Agenda of President Tinubu and the party at large.

    He also emphasised his goal of installing an APC-led Government at the state level in 2027.