The Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, has acknowledged that the Federal Government’s efforts to improve electricity supply have yet to translate into dependable power for many Nigerians.
Tegbe made the disclosure on Tuesday while giving an update on the interventions undertaken in the power sector since he assumed office three months ago.
He said the government had initially concentrated on identifying some of the structural and operational problems responsible for the poor performance of the electricity sector before embarking on repairs and other interventions.
Among the facilities addressed, according to the minister, was the Alaoji power plant, whose 375-megawatt capacity had been unavailable for about three years before it was restored.
“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.
Tegbe said the government had also taken steps to address metering challenges, with more than 350,000 electricity meters deployed after the resolution of a legal dispute involving the Association of Nigerian Electricity Distributors and Manufacturers of Nigeria.
Despite these interventions, the minister conceded that the situation remained difficult for a significant number of electricity consumers who were yet to experience a meaningful improvement in supply.
“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,” Tegbe stated.
He explained that the government’s approach was focused on achieving lasting improvements rather than offering immediate solutions that might not be sustainable.
The minister consequently urged Nigerians to expect continued reforms in the sector, saying efforts were ongoing to strengthen the national grid and improve the consistency of electricity supply.
On electricity pricing, Tegbe said the government had no immediate plan to increase tariffs, dismissing suggestions that the position was influenced by political considerations.
“To be clear: there’s no plan to raise tariffs, and this is no political statement,” he said.
He added that improving the accuracy of electricity bills and reducing the time required to resolve complaints from consumers remained among the government’s priorities.
Tegbe also acknowledged the efforts of workers in the electricity sector, while appreciating Nigerians who have continued to raise concerns and engage with the government over persistent power supply problems.
“We’re not there yet, but we’re moving,” the minister said.
