Minister Of Power Warns Senate: “Total Blackout For Three Months If New Policy Is Rejected”

Minister Of Power Warns Senate: “Total Blackout For Three Months If New Policy Is Rejected”

The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, issued a stark warning to the Senate, stating that Nigeria would face a complete blackout within the next three months if the proposed electricity tariff hike is not implemented. Adelabu delivered this warning during an investigative hearing before the Senate Committee on Power in Abuja, following the committee’s rejection of the new tariff regime proposed by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC)……READ ALSO Key Highlights From Minister Of Power’s Press Briefing In Abuja

Expressing grave concern over the consequences of rejecting the tariff hike, Adelabu emphasized that failure to implement the increase would lead to the collapse of the entire electricity sector. He stressed the urgency of the situation, stating, “The entire sector will be grounded if we don’t increase the tariff. With what we have now in the next three months, the entire country will be in darkness if we don’t increase tariffs.”

Adelabu highlighted the critical need for significant investment to revive Nigeria’s power sector, estimating an annual requirement of $10 billion over the next ten years. He emphasized the importance of commercial pricing to attract investors and lenders to the sector, noting that increased tariffs would make the sector more attractive for investment.

Despite the minister’s appeals for support, the Senate Committee on Power, led by Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, expressed concerns about the potential hardships faced by Nigerians. The committee urged the minister and other stakeholders in the sector to explore alternative solutions to address the challenges without imposing additional burdens on the populace.

As the debate over the electricity tariff hike continues, the warnings issued by the Minister of Power underscore the critical need for sustainable solutions to ensure the stability and viability of Nigeria’s power sector while balancing the interests of both consumers and investors.

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