Nigerian ministers have stressed the significance of the power sector in achieving economic growth and industrialisation.

This was noted in a statement by Bolaji Tunji, the media aide to the power minister, on Thursday.

They also highlighted the need for collaboration in tackling the challenges that could hinder the power sector from achieving its full potential. The ministers said this at the inaugural Inter-Ministerial Power Sector Working Group meeting held at the power ministry.

The ministers are Adebayo Adelabu, Balarabe Lawal, Joseph Utsev, Atiku Bagudu and Heineken Lokpobiri.

Addressing the ministers, Mr Adelabu emphasised the importance of the power sector as a major driver of economic growth. This, Mr Adelabu said, was in tandem with President Bola Tinubu’s vision of the power sector as the driver of the other sectors of the economy.

Mr Adelabu said the power sector was on track towards achieving the president’s instruction that a landmark generation and transmission of 6000 megawatts must be achieved by the end of December.

While speaking about the reason for setting up the ministerial working group, the minister said that the power ministry was on the right track towards achieving the presidential mandate.

Mr Adelabu said there had been many informal meetings, gatherings, and conversations regarding activities in the power sector and how to inter-relate and depend on each other.

Mr Adelabu said, presently, 75 per cent of the country’s power generation comes from power gas plants while about 25 per cent comes from hydroelectric power plants.

Mr Utsev acknowledged the importance of collaborating with the power ministry.

He said, “The ministry of water resources and the ministry of power are like brothers and sisters, and we will do everything possible to work together to achieve the renewable energy agenda of the president in making life better for Nigerians.”

Mr Lawal emphasised the importance of the power sector in economic development and the environment ministry, adding that power generation, transmission and distribution impact the environment.

He stated, “The ministry of environment is essentially a regulator in this process through some of our agencies and the ministry. In all the power sector value-chain process, waste is generated. “And how to manage this waste is important to us. As we go-ahead to develop our power sector, we are also developing a process to manage the waste that will come out.”

(NAN)