The Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, has dismissed reports of planned increase in electricity tariffs, assuring Nigerians that Federal Government is focused on improving power supply across country.
Tegbe gave assurance in Ibadan, Oyo State, during groundbreaking ceremony for five interconnected mini-grid projects with combined capacity of 17.7 megawatts and 17.74-megawatt-hour Battery Energy Storage System, BESS.
The Projects, located in Bola, Jiboye, Molade-Adelubi, Ogo Oluwa and Sooko-Elega, are expected to serve communities across Akinyele, Ido, Ibadan North, Egbeda and Lagelu Local Government Areas.
Addressing the gathering, the minister urged Nigerians to disregard misinformation about possible tariff increase, declaring that government’s priority was to ensure reliable electricity supply.
“I want to say this clearly and without ambiguity: there is no plan to increase electricity tariffs. What we are planning is power sector that works around clock. Our commitment is 24/7 power,” he said.
Tegbe said Federal Government was pursuing energy strategy that would improve electricity supply through designated energy zones, including Lagos-Ogun corridor, Abuja-Kaduna-Kano corridor and Benin-Enugu-Port Harcourt corridor.
He added that plans were also underway to strengthen national grid and improve generation and transmission infrastructure across country’s eastern, western and central corridors.
Minister said mini-grid projects would improve electricity access in beneficiary communities, reduce dependence on generators and create better conditions for businesses, investment and job creation.
He described interconnected mini-grid initiative as part of Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda, noting that similar interventions had been implemented in communities across several states with support from Rural Electrification Agency, REA.
Tegbe commended President Bola Tinubu for his leadership and acknowledged contributions of REA, project developer Paras Energy and Natural Resources Development Limited, World Bank and Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company.
He also recognised Oyo State Government, traditional rulers and community leaders for their support, stressing that their cooperation would be crucial to successful implementation and sustainability of projects.
