The Minister of Power, Mr Adebayo Adelabu says the Federal Government is poised to address the electricity challenge being experienced in the country.

Mr Bolaji Tunji, the Special Adviser, Strategic Communication and Media Relations to the minister of power said this in a statement in Abuja on Thursday.

Tunji said the minister spoke when he met with the Forum of Commissioners of Energy in Nigeria.

”The forum is made up of energy commissioners in the country.
Adelabu said that the Federal Government had done enough diagnostics and the cause of the problem is now known.
Adelabu said with the efforts put in place to address the challenges in the sector, Nigerians should be patient as irregular power supply would soon be a thing of the past in the country.
“We have realised that in the past, temporary solution have been applied to the challenges without dealing with the root cause”, he said.
”The forum is also an opportunity to encourage state governments to take advantage of the new Electricity Act and get involved.”
The minister said that the Electricity Act had brought about unity in diversity, adding that the Federal and state Governments should seize the opportunity to work together.

“You can always call on me to intervene, I will stand by you and I know once the states start to perform and take up further responsibilities, it means I have also performed.
“When states start getting involved, there will be healthy rivalry akin to what we use to have in the days of regional government,” he said.
Adelabu also drew the attention of other states to Abia where Geometrics Power Limited had established a 188 megawatts power generating plant.
The minister said the plant supplies and distribute power to between seven and eight local government areas in the state.
He said that the state was enjoying 24 hours power supply, adding this was what he want other states to also adopt.
Adelabu said that it might look difficult, but with tenacity and endurance, it is achievable.
He said that government had acquired about 10 mobile power sub-stations that could be moved to places where there were challenges or disruption due to fault on the sub-station.
The minister advised state governments to get involved in distribution networks and also bridge the meter gap.
”You can then discuss with the Electricity Distribution Companies (DisCos) on how to capitalise your investment.

“State governments can get involved in picking the executive management of the DisCos.
“You already have about 40 per cent of the shares of the DisCos. You need to discuss with the Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI) on the shares,” he said.
According to him, if a state buys about 10,000 meters, all that is needed to be done is to agree with the DisCos on capitalising the investment
He said that state governments should know who they were dealing with at the state level when you invest in the power infrastructure, you would know who to hold responsible.
“It is easy for the states and DisCos to work together on distribution. As a state, you are in a position to know the unserved and the underserved.
”And also where there are weak infrastructure that states can invest in.
”We would have solved a lot of our electricity problems, ” he said.
Earlier, Chairman of the Forum, Mr Eka Williams re-affirmed unflinching support towards the outstanding visions, ideas and the electricity reforms of the Federal Government.
Williams, who is also the Commissioner of Power and Energy, Cross River, said that the Electricity Act had given the states the responsibility of running the affairs of electricity in the state.

Williams emphasised the readiness of the states to jointly put in effort to make sure the issues and fundamental challenges were resolved.
“The minister’s consistent call for collaboration and partnership is key,” he said.