CEM REPORT | On the back of frequent national grid collapse, the Federal Government has pledged unwavering commitment to ensuring an efficient power supply industry.
Chairman, Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Sanusi Garba, reiterated the federal government commitment to building a power sector that will guarantee adequate, reliable and affordable electricity for Nigerians on Wednesday at a one-day workshop for media held in Abuja.
Garba at the workshop organised by the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission, (NERC) in collaboration with the Power Sector Recovery Operation (PSRO) Secretariat, said, the Federal Government with the support of the World Bank, initiated the Power Sector Recovery Plan (PSRP) with the goal of providing adequate, reliable and affordable electricity in Nigerians in Nigeria.
He added that the power supply industry now a private sector will require government intervention for growth, adding that the challenges presently experienced requires all hands working actively to solve them.
“Notwithstanding the power supply industry is now private sector driven, its relevance to economic growth and industrial development will require strategic government interventions.
“ At this developmental stage, the industry’s challenges require that all hands be on the deck to achieve an efficient and effective power supply industry that we desire for our economic development,”
He further named the objectives of the PSRP to include;
- Power sector’s financial viability,
- Improve electricity supply reliability to meet the growing demand,,
- Strengthen the sector’s institutional framework,
- Implement policies that promote and
- Encourage investors’ confidence and institutionalise a contract-based electricity industry.
NAN reports that he said, one of the policy interventions of the Federal Government is the National Mass Metering Programme (NMMP), adding that about one million meters were installed at Phase Zero of the NMMP.
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Garba added that phase one of the NMMP, which envisages the installation of four million meters would start as soon as the procurement process is concluded.
Moreso, he said that Electricity Distribution Companies (DisCos) had submitted performance improvement plans to NERC.
He further said, the plans would commit the DisCos to certain minimum service delivery levels and progressive improvement in service quality and standards.
At the workshop the website where the public, including the media, can get the latest update on the PSRP implementation was inaugurated.
“www.psrp.org.ng”
Mr Belije Madu of PSRP Secretariat commenting on programme said measures to ensure supply of minimum of 4,500 MegaWatts(MW)/hour of electricity to the distribution grid from 2022 was ongoing.
Madu said, the 4,500MW/hour was the minimum level of supply necessary for grid stability and the reduction of system outages.
“The PSRP helps address the constraints in the distribution segment via the implementation of the performance improvement plans.
“PSRP will assures the receipt of revenue requirements by power sector companies which is essential to breaking the vicious cycle of poor sector financial performance,”
