By Dele Omoyeni

The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, says Nigeria cannot continue to subsidise electricity, adding that the nation must begin to move towards a cost-effective tariff model, as the country is currently indebted to the tune of N1.3 trillion to generating companies (GenCos) and $1.3 billion owed gas companies

Adelabu addressed a press conference in Abuja on Wednesday and said only 450 billion naira was budgeted for subsidy this year but the ministry needs over N2 trillion for it.

He said state governments will now be allowed to generate power independently to supply power to their states.

On the grid that has collapsed about six times between December 2023 and now, he said this was caused by a shortage of gas, ageing machines in the grid value chain, low capacity to evacuate generated power, and destruction of power stations in some parts of the North-East geopolitical zone of the country.

He said the Transmission Company of Nigeria has over 100 abandoned projects due to variations in contract figures as a result of the fluctuations of the forex, hence the company will not award any new contracts till all such projects are completed.

The minister also said over N50 billion had been earmarked in the 2024 budget to build mini-grids to supply power to remote areas.

He said electricity distribution companies (DisCos) should sit up otherwise anyone found wanting will have his licence withdrawn.

The minister also said he has contacted the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, to help provide security for power infrastructure.

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