The federal government says it will adopt a bottom-up approach to address challenges in the power sector. On Thursday, the Nigerian government said this would go a long way in improving the electricity supply in the country.

Power minister Adebayo Adelabu said this at the 2023 Power Correspondents Association of Nigeria (PCAN) conference in Abuja.

Mr Adelabu said as part of the strategy in the power sector roadmap, the emphasis would be on the bottom-up approach, unlike the top-down method being used in the past.

“The implication, with the bottom-up approach, is that we will prioritise metering, distribution and transmission infrastructure. We will focus on customers down to distribution and transmission infrastructure in the short term. This is to ensure that a significant portion of what is generated currently gets to the end users.

“We will also pay attention to the generation segment, particularly in areas of distributed (embedded) power from renewable energy sources. While at the same time advancing baseload power through thermal and hydro plants in the medium to long term,” Mr Adelabu.

The minister also mentioned that the ministry would further explore the regional energy potential by focusing on solar energy in the North and mini hydro power plants in the Middle Belt.

According to him, the ministry will focus on the Southwest, hybridised with solar energy, while the country’s coastal states will be identified for wind energy utilisation.

“Taking all the above into consideration, especially with the liberalisation of the sector, Nigerians will soon start to experience the objective that led to the Electricity Act, which has improved power supply across the country,” the power minister noted.

He added, “The choice of the theme for the workshop ‘Resolving Nigeria’s Power Crisis: The Implication of the Electricity Act 2023’ is apt, considering the president’s avowed desire to provide regular supply of electricity across the country. This will liberalise the sector through the enactment of the 2023 Electricity Act.”

The minister also stated that the act was a significant part of the energy roadmap as it signified the present administration’s commitment to transforming the power sector.

According to him, this is clearly stated in President Bola Tinubu’s ‘Renewed Hope Agenda’.

“I would like to emphasise the role of the media in terms of communication and advocacy. For the sector to progress, we must advocate against power theft, vandalism and educate consumers against sabotage,” said Mr Adelabu. “The financial liquidity in the NESI is dependent on customers paying for electricity consumed.”

(NAN)