Chairman, Power and Energy Commissioners Applauds Tinubu’s Power Sector Reforms, Urges Collaboration on Decentralization
The Cross Rivers State Commissioner of Power and Renewable Energy and Chairman, Forum for Power and Energy Commissioners in Nigeria, Hon. Williams Eka has applauded the reforms being introduced by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the electricity sector, describing the decentralization of the electricity market as a bold and necessary step to achieve stable power supply in Nigeria.
Hon. Williams stated this today during an interactive meeting with a group of journalists in Abuja.
He stated that the President’s policy of decentralizing the electricity market will unlock investment and improve access across states and communities.
“The President is taking bold steps that will transform the sector. This decentralization drive is the right way to go for Nigeria. The challenge of electricity should not be left to the Federal Government alone. Private individuals, corporate organizations, and state governments must collaborate by investing in 100kV, 500kV, and other capacities in small communities around them. The drive to provide power must be a concern for everyone,” he said.
The Chairman who disclosed that power infrastructure is capital intensive with a *long implementation period*, added that the full benefits of the current administration’s efforts may not be immediate
“Power Infrastructure is expensive. The fruits of the efforts being put in by the present administration might not be seen immediately, but with time, the impact will be felt by Nigerians,” Eka stressed
He urged Nigerians to be patient with the administration, noting that the reforms are designed to deliver sustainable and long-term results.
On energy mix, Eka said states and the private sector can begin with small-scale interventions, starting with a few megawatts in localized settings.
He stated further that efforts should be made to generate power off-grid by harnessing renewable energy sources such as solar, biomass, and wind to expand electricity access across the country.
The Commissioner referenced the Electricity Act 2023 as the legal framework enabling states to participate more actively in the power sector, and commended the Minister of Power for inaugurating a 9-man committee to tackle challenges in electricity market decentralization and proffer workable solutions for the advancement of the sector.
He lauded state governments that are making deliberate efforts to power their environs, and called on Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Chairman of the Dangote Group of Companies, to invest in the power sector to help bridge the country’s energy gap.
According to him, with shared responsibility between government, private sector, and citizens, Nigeria can achieve universal access to electricity.
