FASHOLA URGES STATES, LGAS TO OWN AND PARTICIPATE IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF PSRP

The Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola,
SAN, has called on States and Local Government Areas to take ownership
and support the Federal Government in the implementation of the Power
Sector Recovery Programme (PSRP).

Fashola made the call at the opening ceremony of the 3rd National
Council on Power (NACOP) with the theme: “Completing Power Sector
Reforms” which took place in Jos, Plateau State. The Minister said
PRSP which was curved from the Power Sector Reform Act of 2005, are
set of policies, programmes and actions aimed at solving generation,
transmission, distribution, liquidity, metering, estimated billing,
energy theft, safety and other myriad of problems associated with the
sector.

The Minister, while emphasizing that the sector is beginning to see
results of increase generation of 7001MW on 12th September, 2017,
transmission up to 6700 MW and distribution 4600MW, it is not yet
enough.

He also disclosed that the theme of the conference provided
opportunity to share with State representatives and other power stake
holders what the PSRP is all about and on how to successfully
implement it.

The Minister emphatically stated that the PSRP is based on the 2005
law and urged everyone to acquaint themselves with it.

Fashola further disclosed that the N701billion payment assurance
guarantee which has driven up generation capacity is in consistent
with section 76 (2) (b) of 2005 law which seeks to ensure that
producers of power recoup their investment and make some profit.

Fashola also urged States and Local Governments as a matter of
priority insist that their buildings are metered so they can budget
and pay for the energy consumed. “It will turn out to be cheaper than
diesel generated power”, he added.

He also encouraged States and Local Governments’ to set up small team
with audit capacity to verify debt owned by DISCO’s and develop
payment plan which can then be budgeted for.

In his address, the Governor of Plateau State, Bar. Simon Bako Lalong
said Plateau State has the exceptional advantage of enjoying the
abundance of four of the major renewable energy sources of solar,
wind, small hydro and biomass. It is our target, as a State to supply,
at least, 10% of the renewable energy ratio in the national energy
mix.

The Governor commended the Minister for granting a licence to one of
the private sector developers to build and operate 70MW Solar Power
Generation Plant in Panyam, Mangu Local Government of Plateau State.

Chairman Senate Committee on Power, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe and the
House Committee Chairman on Power, Prince Daniel Asuquo in their
remarks pledged the unalloyed support of the National Assembly to the
PSRP and will do all that needs to be done to move the sector forward,
stressing that the best way is to work according to law.

Etore Thomas
DD Press