Stop Buying Electricity Infrastructure, Transformers, Poles – Power Minister Tells Nigerians

Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, has called on Nigerians to cease purchasing electricity infrastructural facilities, including transformers and poles, emphasizing that it is the sole responsibility of Distribution Companies (DisCos) to provide the necessary infrastructure for efficient service delivery.

During a courtesy call on Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde in Ibadan, the minister urged citizens to report any suspicious activities around power infrastructure to security agencies, aiming to curb the rising incidents of attacks and vandalization of these critical facilities.

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Adelabu, who was on a working visit to inspect power infrastructure and commission a sub-station in the state, addressed workers at the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) Sub-Station in Ayede Ibadan and management staff at the headquarters of the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company, Ring Road, Ibadan.

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Speaking directly to the public, the minister stressed, “It is the responsibility of the DisCos to provide transformers, cables, and poles to communities so that power supply can improve. A situation where communities buy transformers, cables, and poles must stop.”

He warned against the practice of communities being forced to purchase such essential items themselves while also discouraging Nigerians from paying for unreliable power services. Adelabu emphasized that a consistent and stable power supply is a top priority for the current administration.

The minister conveyed President Bola Tinubu’s disapproval of a system where communities shoulder the burden of procuring transformers, poles, and cables, only for electricity distribution companies to take ownership and charge consumers for the service.

Adelabu declared, “People should not pay for darkness. When people have a 24-hour power supply, they can pay double for electricity because you have saved them the money to power generators.”

Highlighting the government’s commitment to improved power supply, the minister cited the example of Kaduna, emphasizing the need for a collective effort to protect national assets from sabotage. He urged citizens to report any unusual activities around power infrastructure to security agencies.

During the visit, Adelabu clarified that his presence in Oyo State was focused on governance rather than politics. He sought ways to collaborate with the state government, aligning efforts to enhance the power sector.

As part of the visit, the minister inspected the 132KV Oluewu transmission sub-station in Oyo and commissioned a 100Kwh solar mini-grid in Adafila, Ogbomoso, under rural electrification projects. Additionally, he paid a courtesy call on the Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye, at his Ogbomoso Palace.