The Special Adviser to the President on Policy and Coordination, and Head of the Central Results Delivery Coordination Unit (CRDCU), Hadiza Bala Usman, yesterday, met with the Minister of Power, Bayo Adelabu, the Permanent Secretary, and Heads of Departments and Agencies under the Ministry of Power.

The meeting was in continuation of engagements to review the Q1–Q3 Performance Assessment Report on the implementation of Presidential Priorities and Ministerial Deliverables. This is part of the President Tinubu administration’s ongoing efforts to ensure continuous monitoring and improvement in the delivery of key ministerial mandates.

The discussions centred on critical areas of the power sector that have a direct impact on service delivery to Nigerians. One of the key issues highlighted was the urgent need to accelerate the rollout of metering solutions, with a strong focus on reinforcing the National Mass Metering Programme (NMMP). This initiative will resolve the long-standing challenges around estimated billing, boost consumer confidence, and improve revenue collection in the power sector.

Another key area of focus was the completion of key hydroelectric power projects, including the Katsina Hybrid/Solar Plant and the 132kV transmission line from Zungeru to Tengina.

These projects which are crucial to Nigeria’s renewable energy goals and, once completed, according to the presidency, will contribute significantly to stabilizing the national grid and increasing power generation capacity, particularly in rural and underserved areas.

The meeting also addressed strategies for boosting energy distribution and transmission capacity. This involves prioritising the upgrade of infrastructure, reducing transmission losses, and ensuring more equitable distribution of electricity across the country. There was also an emphasis on strengthening collaboration between the Ministry of Power, Distribution Companies (DisCos), and other key stakeholders to tackle bottlenecks hindering energy efficiency and accessibility.

The Special Adviser presented the Ministry’s performance scorecard for Q1 to Q3, 2024 and urged the Ministry, Directorate of Planning, Research, and Statistics, and Agencies under the Ministry to improve data collection and verification. She emphasised that accurate, verified data is essential for informed decision-making and better outcomes in the power sector.