Fashola Admits To Power Insufficiency, Decries Vandalism

Source: thewillnigeria.com

SAN FRANCISCO, March 31, (THEWILL) – Minister of Power Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola, has revealed there is currently not enough power to distribute unless more turbines are switched on.

He attributed recent power outages in some parts of the country to four turbines which stopped working, but hoped electricity supply would be stabilized soon as three of the four turbines have been restored.

Fashola made the statement in Abuja as two companies, Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) and Geometric Power Limited, signed an agreement which settled the dispute over which of the two companies would supply power to Aba and its environs.

“Yesterday morning we had some outages in Jebba but I am happy to report now that all the four turbines that were down, three have been restored, so there is stability now,” Fashola said.

“It is important why the power coming from Aba is defining, it's part of what I've spoken about. There is not enough power in the country.

“So how do you share what is not enough such that everybody gets enough? It's difficult, if not impossible.

“So what we need to do is to get more power on. So about 200 megawatts coming from there is good news for the market,”

“Every one of us must contribute something now to solve the problem; it a problem we can solve. That will reduce the number of people who are contributing to being the problem.

“So those who are vandalizing electricity assets, those who are selling stolen cable, those who are not paying their bills and those diverting electricity are all problems.”

The Minister also expressed hope that President Muhammadu Buhari's 10,000 megawatts target would be met but decried acts of vandalism which he says is causing some of the energy problems in the country.

Fashola also expressed appreciation to Vice President Yemi Osinbanjo, who he said initiated the process of settling the dispute six months ago. The minister said with the settlement of the dispute, the people at Aba and Ariaria market would now have electricity to boost their businesses.

Story by David Oputah