The Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar has stated that he would give States the power to generate, transmit and distribute electricity by removing the electricity value chain from the exclusive list if elected the President in 2023.
Speaking on the Nationwide blackout experienced on Wednesday, the former Vice President stated that his solutions remain the active plan to less Nigeria out of constant darkness.
“Having keenly observed and monitored developments in the power sector within the last 24 hours, I am again convinced that my solution to the electricity crisis, as encapsulated in my Policy Document, My Covenant with Nigerians, remains the most proactive plan to lead Nigeria out of the darkness.
In this regard, my approach is to first remove the entire electricity value chain from the exclusive list and give states the power to generate, transmit and distribute electricity for themselves. An industrial dispute with the FG in Abuja should not affect an industry in Lagos or a factory in Aba or in Kano or even an average Nigerian who just wants to get home, watch the news and sleep under a ceiling fan.
Secondly, my policy shall aim at achieving greater coordination of investments in the entire electricity value chain. Investments in additional generation capacity are futile without consideration for the complementary transmission and distribution infrastructure to wheel the additional energy.
Any investment in additional generation capacity would be competitively procured considering a viable mix of renewable (hydro, solar, wind and biofuels) and non-renewable (coal, gas) options for energy security.
Thirdly, ahead of procuring additional generation, both transmission and distribution capacities would be enhanced with government and private sector support for investments. In this regard, we shall incentivize private investors to invest in the development of multiple green-field mini-grid transmission systems to be looped into the super-grip in the medium to long term while allowing the FG to focus on policy, regulation, and standardization.
My aspiration to be President is to protect the interest of the average Nigerian in all circumstances, and on this, I stand to say that I have no interest either directly or indirectly in any generator company, as has been publicly revealed.”
The country was plunged into darkness on Wednesday when the National Union of Electricity Employees embarked on a nationwide strike following its dispute with the federal government on issues of workers’ welfare.
Though it called off its strike after a meeting with the Minister of Labour and Employment Dr Chris Ngige for two weeks, it warned that it will resume its strike if concerns are not properly addressed.
