- NOCSON criticises Minister Adebayo Adelabu for power sector inefficiencies and has demanded the resignation of the Minister of Power.
- Increased electricity tariffs strain poor Nigerians, says Emmanuel Ogbidi.
- Ogbidi urges President Tinubu to follow Tanzania and South Africa’s example in resolving power issues.
The Network of Civil Society Organisations (NOCSON) has demanded the resignation of the Minister of Power, Mr Adebayo Adelabu, due to inefficiencies in the power sector.
Emmanuel Ogbidi, NOCSON’s president, called for this while accepting the “Outstanding Activist of the Year” award from BA Global Consult. Ogbidi criticised the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) for raising electricity tariffs. Despite warnings from the National Assembly, arguing this harms poor Nigerians.
“Increasing tariffs for certain bands burdens the masses,” Ogbidi stated. He emphasised that the recent tariff hike impacts Band A customers the most, worsening their financial strain without solving power issues.
Ogbidi highlighted a federal university’s experience, where the electricity bill soared from N80 million in March to N280 million in April after the tariff hike. “Where will they find that money? They will pass the cost to students and parents,” he explained.
He urged President Bola Tinubu to take decisive actions, similar to those in Tanzania and South Africa, to address Nigeria’s power challenges. “In December 2023, Tanzania sacked all electricity board members over power issues. By April 2024, they had excess power supply. South Africa took similar steps with positive results,” Ogbidi noted.
Ogbidi questioned the effectiveness of numerous reforms and financial investments in Nigeria’s power sector, pointing out the need for significant improvements despite substantial funding. “Billions of dollars have gone into the sector, and the privatisation of various Discos occurred. What happened to these efforts?” he asked.
In conclusion, Ogbidi reiterated his call for President Tinubu to dismiss the Minister of Power. Asserting that Adelabu has shown incompetence in resolving the nation’s power problems.