By RhemDy News
Minister of Power, Joseph Olasunkanmi
Tegbe, has reiterated that Fedeal Government has no immediate plans to increase
electricity tariffs, assuring Nigerians that its priority is to improve service
delivery, expand access to reliable electricity, and accelerate the rollout of
universal metering nationwide.
Tegbe stated this while speaking with some newsmen after
commissioning a 3MW captive solar hybrid power project at the University of
Abuja, now known as Yakubu Gowon University, describing service improvement and
universal metering as key priorities of the Ministry.
“There are no immediate plans to increase electricity
tariffs. Our goal is to build a commercially viable power sector while
protecting vulnerable consumers,” the Minister said.
The newly commissioned project is designed to provide
stable and cleaner electricity to the university community of approximately
58,726 students, significantly reducing the institution’s reliance on
diesel-powered generators.
Developed by the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) under
Phase II of the Energising Education Programme (EEP), the project comprises a
3.3MWp solar array, 3MW AC output and a 2MWh battery storage system, supported
by a dedicated grid supply outside solar generation hours.
The project also includes installing 388 solar-powered
street lights across the campus, improving visibility and security while
creating a safer environment for students and staff to study and move around
the university after dark.
The minister said the commissioning highlights the federal
government’s broader commitment to improving the quality and reliability of
electricity supply while pursuing reforms that will strengthen the long-term
sustainability of the power sector.
He explained that the administration is focused on
addressing the structural and financial challenges confronting the sector while
ensuring that improvements in electricity supply are matched by greater
efficiency and accountability across the value chain.
According to him, universal metering remains a major
priority, as it will promote more accurate billing, improve transparency and
ensure that electricity consumers are charged based on measured consumption.
The federal government’s clarification comes amid renewed
political interpretation of the minister’s comment about the possible removal
of electricity subsidies and concerns about a possible further tariff
adjustment. The Minister, however, stressed that tariff increases are not an
immediate consideration, with the government instead concentrating on improving
service delivery and strengthening consumer confidence.
While the administration continues to examine reforms to
the electricity subsidy framework as part of efforts to address the sector’s
longstanding financial challenges, the government has maintained that such
reforms must take into account the needs of vulnerable consumers.
The Federal Government said its broader objective is to
establish a financially sustainable, investment-friendly electricity market
capable of supporting infrastructure development, improving generation and
distribution, and delivering more reliable power to households, businesses, and
public institutions.
For now, the government’s position is clear. There will be
no immediate increase in electricity tariffs, as efforts remain focused on
improving service delivery, expanding metering, and building a more sustainable
power sector.
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