Agatha Chitumu, Abuja
DAILY COURIER - The Federal Government has secured the backing of the United State to continue to provide regular, quality electricity to businesses and households in the country via Nigeria's solar power project.
This was contained in a Press release issued in Abuja by the Special Adviser, Strategic Communication and Media Relations to the minister, Mr Bolaji Tunji on Thursday.
The disclosure bordering on support was made by the United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Richard Mills during a meeting with the Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu in Abuja on Wednesday.
The solar project it was learnt will see Sun Africa LLC, an American company in the forefront of the push to meet Africa’s energy needs and provide vital power infrastructure to Nigeria.
While speaking, Mr. Mills said his visit to the Power ministry was to know the status of the Sun Africa power project and support the Ministry's engagement on the project.
“You have the support of the US government on the project”, Mr. Mills emphasized.
The Ambassador also invited the Minister to an Energy summit scheduled to hold from 11 - 12 September, 2024 in Washington.
According to him, the summit will make the Electricity Sector a major focus adding that the summit would comprise working groups engaged in strategic energy dialogue.
Responding, Chief Adelabu stated that the Ministry was poised to add value to local industries by providing them with adequate Power to enable them function better.
The Minister noted further that though Nigeria has the population and the market which should be a strength to the nation, the reverse has been the case simply because Nigeria still imports about 80 percent of what it consumes and, “this has left the country with a lot of burden since the country has limited source of foreign exchange to fund the import dependence”.
He noted that the Ministry has prioritized its programmes into five key areas which are; Legislative support to decentralize the power sector; Policy Support to design a National Integrated Electricity Policy and Strategic Implementation Plan that would be the manual for sectoral policies; appropriate tariff, to migrate the market and also upgrade the infrastructures; Infrastructure Provision that would be achieved through partnership with foreign investors and an Energy transition plan targeted towards achieving net zero emission.
Regarding the status of the Sun Africa Power Project, the Minister assured the visiting team that a lot is being done to secure approval for s smooth operational take.
