The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, has urged state governments to play an active role in complementing the Federal Government’s efforts to boost electricity access for citizens.
The minister said this during a working visit to the office of Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) on Saturday in Ibadan.
Adelabu’s remarks followed a call by the Oyo State House of Assembly for federal government’s intervention to address the prolonged poor electricity supply in the Ibarapa area of the state.
A member of the assembly,Peter Ojedokun, on Feb. 24 moved a motion at plenary on behalf of the Speaker, Debo Ogundoyin, seeking federal government intervention over the prolonged electricity challenge in the area.
The motion was titled: “The Need to Urgently Call on Relevant Federal Agencies to Address the Prolonged and Deplorable State of Electricity Supply in the Ibarapa Zone of Oyo State.”
Ogundoyin said that communities in Ibarapaland, Eruwa, Lanlate, Igboora, Idere, Ayete, Tapa and Igangan had endured more than 15 years of erratic and, in many cases, complete absence of power supply.
According to him, many of these communities have been disconnected from the national grid.
Responding, Adelabu said the Federal Government currently has more than 35 power projects in the state, covering transmission, distribution and renewable energy initiatives.
He said many of the projects had been completed, while others were ongoing or awaiting approval.
According to Adelabu, with the decentralisation and liberalisation of the power sector through the Electricity Act 2023, signed by President Bola Tinubu, electricity provision was no longer the exclusive responsibility of the Federal Government.
“All levels of government are now allowed to play their roles, from federal to state and local governments to ensure electricity access for their people as part of their electoral promises.
“About 17 states electricity markets have been granted autonomy, including Oyo state.
“Several states have taken steps to complement the Federal Government’s efforts toward building a functional and reliable power sector.
“Oyo State has allegedly remained inactive since receiving this autonomy.
“We expect the state to fully participate in strengthening electricity supply for its people,” he said.
Adelabu added that rather than apportioning blame to the Federal Government, the state government should take responsibility under the new electricity framework.
He also said that ongoing power projects across the country would boost economic activities and improve electricity supply to households, health facilities, educational institutions and small businesses.
Commenting on the Assembly’s position, Adelabu said its claim that the Federal Government was responsible for the situation was misplaced.
“Oyo state has passed its electricity law and regulatory commission bill.
” The question is: what has been done with them over the years?
“The 11KV power project on which billions were spent has never produced a kilowatt of electricity for Oyo residents,” he said.
Addressing electricity challenges in the Ibarapa zone, the minister said contractors had been mobilised to complete vandalised substations that had been abandoned for years.
He added that work was also ongoing on the transmission line from the new Abeokuta substation to improve supply in the zone.
“The power situation in Ibarapa will not remain the same again.
“In addition, several renewable energy projects, including interconnected and isolated mini-grids, have been installed in various communities in the state, including the Ibarapa zone,” Adelabu said.
