The Minister expressed frustration over the persistent challenges facing the power sector, despite the succession of Ministers overseeing it. He made these remarks in Lagos during the inauguration of the 63 MVA, 132/33kV mobile station at Ajah, Lagos State.
He remarked, “We have had over 40 ministers in the past, and we are still here. We anticipate resistance and distractions, but Nigerians will witness our significant impact once we complete the TCN projects.”
This statement comes amid the recent tariff increase, which has sparked discontent among Nigerians. Currently, consumers classified in Band A are paying up to N225/kilowatt, with some reporting insufficient supply.
The Minister urged Nigerians to endure temporary hardships for lasting benefits, emphasizing the government’s concern for citizens’ welfare.
“Nigerians should not be exploited, which is why I prefer to term this new tariff as service reflective rather than cost-reflective,” he added.
He reiterated that all distribution companies (Discos) must provide 20-24 hours of electricity before implementing the N225/kwh tariff, or face heavy fines.
The Minister highlighted the strategic significance of the Ajah Mobile Substation in addressing transmission capacity constraints, with a projected increase of over 1300MW nationwide.
According to him, the Ajah mobile substation aims to enhance transmission capacity, expand energy access, and contribute to achieving improvement targets of 4000MW to 6000MW.
“Its strategic deployment in key locations like Okene, Amukpe, Potiskum, Apo, Ajah, Birnin Kebbi, and others underscores our commitment to enhancing transmission efficiency and reliability across the country.
“The versatility of this Mobile Substation is invaluable. Whether addressing major load centers or serving as a temporary solution during maintenance and emergencies, its flexibility ensures swift responses to fluctuating power demands, thus ensuring uninterrupted service delivery.”