- Vice President Professor Yemi Osinbajo has disclosed that the Federal Government has succeeded in increasing power generation
- According to VP Osinbajo, the power generation has increased from 4,000 megawatts to 8,100MW over the past three years
- Osinbajo said this when he delivered a lecture during the University of Lagos (UNILAG) 50th convocation lecture
Vice President Professor Yemi Osinbajo, on Monday, April 2, disclosed that the Federal Government has succeeded in increasing power generation from 4,000 megawatts to 8,100MW over the past three years.
Osinbajo said this when he delivered a lecture titled: Nigeria rising: The path to prosperity, during the University of Lagos (UNILAG), 50th convocation lecture.
He however stated that the effect of the increase in generation has not translated significantly to better service to the consumer.
READ ALSO: We feed pupils with 594 cattle, 138,000 chickens, 6.8m eggs weekly - Osinbajo
His words: “On power, we have moved generation from 4000MW to 8100 MW. But the effect of this increase in generation has not translated significantly to better service to the consumer. This is mainly due to distribution challenges.
“Over 2000 MW of power is not taken up by the DISCOS for distribution to consumers largely because of problems they experience in collection of tariff, but one of the reasons for this is the fact that the DISCOS have not invested significantly in metering.
“We have now embarked on a major metering initiative known as the Metering Assets Programme which involves private metering assets providers.
“In addition, the Federal Government has, in the past 18 months, taken on the deficiencies in transmission head on through the TCN and the NDPHC we are completing transmission projects all around the country.
“But the more important strategy is to decentralize power production. So, we have adopted an off grid programme; which means that we are encouraging private investors to collaborate with government to build IPPs and supply power to willing buyers.
“This was made possible by what is called an eligible customer declaration by the Ministry of Power, Works and Housing. By this collaboration, we have been providing power, especially Solar Power to economic clusters such as markets across the country, including Ariaria market in Aba, 31993 shops, Sabongari market in Kano 13,598 shops, Sura market in Lagos 1047. Isikan 493, NEPA 256, Gbagi 8778, UMBC 2178, a total of 81691shops servicing 320000 SMEs.
“In Lagos we recently commissioned the Sura market solar project; the businesses there now have 24 hour power. From printers, commercial tailors to small chop businesses, everyone is employing more and making more profit.”
Speaking on plans for the next four years, he said prosperity would be attained, “if we are able to address the issues of extreme poverty, productivity, corruption, rule of law, deficiencies in the quality of human resources caused by poor education and health care.”
READ ALSO: Osinbajo blames past governments for Nigeria’s lack of progress
Osinbajo recently promised that the federal government will expand the current N-Power programme.
The vice president made the promise at the 11th Bola Tinubu Colloquium held on Thursday, March 29, to celebrate the 67th birthday of the former Lagos state governor, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.
He also promised that the Next Level plans of the government would to exciting, though a bit challenging.
NAIJ.com (naija.ng) -> Legit.ng We have upgraded to serve you better.
Who is Nigeria's greatest president ever? | - on Legit TV
Source: Legit.ng
