Many Nigerians still lack reliable electricity supply – Power minister - Punch Newspapers
The Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, has acknowledged that many Nigerians are still without reliable electricity despite ongoing efforts by the Federal Government to improve power supply across the country. Tegbe, who disclosed this in a post on his X handle on Tuesday, said he understood the frustration of Nigerians who had yet to experience the improvements being recorded in the power sector since he assumed office three months ago. He said his administration had focused largely on diagnosing and addressing longstanding challenges in the sector, including restoring the 375-megawatt Alaoji power plant after three years offline. “We spent much of this period on diagnosis and repair; restoring the 375MW Alaoji plant after three years offline, unlocking transmission capacity in Lagos, Abuja and other places, mobilising funds toward a debt burden that has quietly undermined this sector for years,” he said. The minister added that the government had also deployed more than 350,000 electricity meters following the resolution of what he described as a legal quagmire involving the Association of Nigerian Electricity Distributors and Manufacturers of Nigeria.See more Punch stories on Google.Add Punch on Google Tegbe, however, admitted that the measures had yet to translate into reliable electricity for many Nigerians. “Admittedly, many Nigerians are still without reliable power, and I understand the frustration of hearing about progress you haven’t personally felt yet. I’m not going to pretend that away,” he said. According to him, fixing the power sector would require time and sustained reforms, stressing that he would not make promises of quick solutions that would not be sustainable. FG prioritises power reforms, rules out tariff hike Power sector facing challenges at every stage — Minister No plan to increase electricity tariff, says FG The minister also said there was no plan to increase electricity tariffs, adding that his position was not politically motivated. “To be clear: there’s no plan to raise tariffs, and this is no political statement,” he said. Tegbe restated his commitment to improving grid stability, electricity supply reliability and billing accuracy, while ensuring faster resolution of consumer complaints. He thanked officials working in the sector under difficult conditions and Nigerians who continued to engage with the government on the challenges facing electricity supply. “We’re not there yet, but we’re moving,” he said. Olugbenga Ige Olugbenga Ige is a journalist at Punch Newspapers with over nine years of professional reporting experience. He is known for his sharp eye for compelling stories and a strong instinct for identifying newsworthy developments. Over the years, Olugbenga has built a reputation for turning leads into clear, engaging, and well-structured reports that resonate with readers. His work reflects deep newsroom experience, editorial judgment, and a commitment to accurate, impactful journalism.
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