Adelabu unveils power ministry’s short-term focus

Promises to prioritise metering, distribution, transmission infrastructure

In a commitment to enhance electricity supply nationwide, the short-term focus in the power sector will prioritise metering, distribution, and transmission infrastructure.

Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, disclosed this shift during the third round-table for Legislature and Judiciary on Enforcement of Technical Standards & Regulations and Mandate of the Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA).

In a statement made available to journalists in Ibadan by Adelabu’s media aide, Bolaji Tunji, the minister, while highlighting the upcoming power sector strategy roadmap, emphasised a bottom-up approach to prioritise impact over the previous top-down strategies.

Adelabu said: “We will focus on customers, down to distribution and transmission infrastructure in the short-term, as well as ensuring that a significant portion of the currently-generated power reaches consumers.”

He promised to give attention to the generation segment, particularly in Distributed Power (Embedded) from renewable energy sources, while concurrently advancing base load power through thermal and hydro plants in the medium to long-term.

The minister urged NEMSA to adapt to the decentralisation of the sector, with state governments participating under the new Electricity Act of 2023.

Managing Director/CEO of NEMSA, Tahil Aliyu, outlined the agency’s responsibilities under the Electricity Act 2023 to include the endorsement of technical standards and regulations, inspection, testing, and certification of electricity installations and instruments.