- Safiu Kehinde
The Federal Government has assured Nigerians of reduction in cost of electricity with the current effort to step up generation and distribution of power in the country.
The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu gave the assurance on Thursday, while addressing the National Lottery Trust Fund led by its Executive Secretary, Tosin Adeyanju,
The agency had paid him a courtesy visit at the headquarters of the ministry in Abuja.
As contained in a statement issued by the agency , he Minister said that it is worthy to note that the price of electricity is still the cheapest in Nigeria, compared to even other African nations such as Togo, Mali and Niger Republic.
While stating that the low level of income in Nigeria makes the cost looks high to consumers, Adeblabu claimed that the energy and food crisis are global issues.
“All over the world today, we are faced with two basic issues and these are food and energy securities. We can see that the cost of gas is going up globally due partly to the war between Russia and Ukraine.
“However, we must be committed to providing electricity to our rural people, particularly the youths. We can see that even those of them who have learnt skills have abandoned those skills and are now riding okada for quick money.
Reacting to the agency plan to train youths on how to assemble one kilowatt of solar enrgy, Adelabu expressed willingness to colabrate with them while reaffirming President Tinubu’s commitment to youths development.
“President Tinubu is committed to the transformation of Nigeria and youths and rural development are of his great concern. If Nigerians are patience, they will realise that the government means well for them.
“We are happy with this effort and will be very willing to work and collaborate with you to achieve it”, the Minister said.
Meanwhile, the Lottery boss commended the Minister for his outstanding performance, his competence, and capacity, since his assumption of office about a year ago, and in restoring the confidence of Nigerians in the power sector.
“Permit me to address you as a performing minister of Power, because since 1999, we have not witnessed the improvement that we have in the electricity supply in the country, as we have today. Before now, many were already opting for solar as supply was totally abysmal. But you have restored people’s confidence in the sector since you came on board”, Adeyanju said.