The Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, on Monday called on power distribution companies to be proactive in their operations before the rainy season fully sets in.
He stated that the progress stakeholders are making in the power industry would require them to increase their commitment to further improving service delivery.
The minister made this remarks at the 27th Monthly Power Sector Operators hosted by the Yola Distribution Company at the TCN station along Numan Road, Jimeta, Adamawa State
While pointing out that improved service will be more demanding as the rains come down in the next few months, he said, “The rains will bring more water supply to the Hydro Electric facilities, and they will bring more challenges to Transmission and Distribution by way of storms, heavy winds, falling trees, damage to towers, lines and installations.
“We must rise up to these challenges better than we have done in the past.”
Fashola stated that some of what must be done by the power distribution companies is to promptly issue notices when there are known damages that interfere with power supply; send maintenance officials out to repair and replace damaged equipment or clear fallen trees; send information to the public on multiple platforms of conventional and social media to report faults that they may not be aware of.
He also urged them to painstakingly hold themselves out as available, ready, and willing to resolve customer problems and provide better service.
The minister similarly announced officially to the stakeholders that the Azura Power Plant is now fully completed and ready for commercial operation to deliver more power to boost incremental power.
He pointed out that change means providing incremental power against the odds, adding that nothing is truer than the story of one agricultural enterprise in Adamawa whose proprietor said since the completion of the Mayo-Belwa sub-station, he has drastically reduced his purchase of diesel and the use of his generator.
Fashola said, “As you will have heard in the news, economists are predicting a further reduction in inflation and they are attributing it to reduction in food inflation and food prices.
“As you might have also heard, I visited Kebbi last week to inspect our road projects, and the Governor, Atiku Bagudu, reported that most of the local governments in his State are getting 18 to 20 hours of power supply, from Kaduna DisCo.
“This is what change means, and it is consistent with our road map of incremental power,” the minister noted.
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