By Gloria Akudoro
The Federal Government has rolled out a four-pronged roadmap anchored on Grid Stabilization, Sector Liquidity and Sustainability, Asset Optimization, and Expansion and Enhancement of the grid to fix power sector.
The Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe who was represented by his Special Adviser on Administration and Project, Martins Olajide, made the disclosure at the 6th Edition of Power Correspondent Association of Nigeria (PCAN) Conference on Thursday in Abuja.
Tegbe, in his opening address as the Special Guest of Honour, spoke on the theme “$1Trn Economy: Nigeria’s Roadmap to Reliable and Affordable Power Supply.” He said the theme speaks directly to a subject that is central to federal government ambition under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
Central to this four-pronged plan, according to the Minister is a corridor approach that prioritises major load centres for reliable, round-the-clock electricity supply. He added that a technical audit has been commissioned to establish a robust diagnostic baseline, identify critical constraints and guide the prioritisation, sequencing and execution of interventions.
He said the corridor approach gives the roadmap a practical industrial focus – to align generation, transmission reinforcement and distribution capacity with demand in major economic clusters, namely: Lagos-Ogun, Benin-Enugu-Port Harcourt and Abuja-Kaduna-Kano energy zones/corridors. Lagos-Ogun axis and Abuja franchise area, both accounting for over 50 percent of national demand, will serve as the pilot for the proposed 24-hour energy zones, with implementation guided by technical readiness and commercial viability.
“Ladies and gentlemen, we are making these efforts to create a sustainable industry that can support the achievement of the $1 Trillion dollar economy ambition. As these efforts continue to sweep across the entire landscape, it is our expectation that the press will play their educative role, especially, giving citizens the facts they need to form their own judgements and take part in public life,” he said.
The Minister thanked the Chairman of the association and the Chairman of the Planning Committee for bringing together those who report on electricity and those responsible for delivering it.
In his goodwill message, the Managing Director of Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA), Engr. Olusegun Adesayo, stressed the importance of safe infrastructure and compliance with regulations.
He said that while President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration continues to drive power sector reforms under the Renewed Hope Agenda, we must ensure that increased electricity supply is matched with safety, quality, and reliability.
Adesayo congratulated the leadership and members of this great association and called for greater prominence to electrical safety awareness, responsible reporting, and public education.
“Let us work together to build a culture where safety is everyone’s responsibility,” he urged.
In his welcome address, the Chairman of PCAN, Mr. Obas Esiedesa, spoke on the significance of year’s theme given the Federal Government’s ambition to grow the economy to one trillion dollars by 2030.
Esiedesa emphasised that no nation can achieve sustainable growth without dependable electricity for industries, businesses, and households, he urged stakeholders to move beyond identifying problems to interrogating policies, addressing infrastructure and financing gaps, and developing workable solutions.
Highlighting urgent operational bottlenecks, the PCAN chairman pointed to the recurring seasonal drop in power generation between November and March, driven by low water inflows at hydroelectric stations and gas supply constraints at thermal plants.
To stabilise supply, he called for stronger collaboration among the government, regulators, generation companies, and gas suppliers to guarantee adequate gas feedstock during dry-season hydro dips.
The Chairman, in his remarks appreciated the sponsors, partners and supporters whose contributions have made this year’s conference possible. “Your continued support for PCAN and its commitment to promoting informed discussions on the power sector is deeply appreciated.”
He also thanked members of the conference planning committee and the entire PCAN Executive Council for their dedication and hard work in putting this event together.
He said: “As journalists, our responsibility goes beyond reporting developments in the industry. We must continue to provide accurate information, hold institutions accountable and promote constructive conversations that advance the national interest.”
