The Federal Government has commenced discussions with electricity distribution companies on the proposed creation of Energy Zones designed to provide 24-hour electricity to households, businesses and industries in major demand centres across Nigeria.
The Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, met behind closed doors with the management of selected distribution companies to deliberate on the initiative, which is expected to cover the Lagos axis, Abuja-Kaduna-Kano and Enugu-Port Harcourt corridors.
The development was disclosed in a statement released on Wednesday by the minister’s media aide, Adeola Adelabu.
The statement read, “In furtherance of the Federal Government’s commitment to deliver reliable electricity to Nigerians, the Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, has held a strategic closed-door meeting with the leadership of select electricity distribution companies over the proposed Energy Zones, designed to deliver stable, 24-hour power supply to homes, businesses and industries in the country’s highest-demand areas, namely Lagos axis, Abuja-Kaduna-Kano and Enugu-Port-Harcourt.”
The proposed initiative is intended to tackle challenges within the electricity distribution network and improve the reliability with which generated and transmitted power gets to consumers, especially in areas with significant commercial and industrial activities.
According to the statement, Tegbe explained that the problems confronting the sector went beyond generation and transmission, stressing the importance of the distribution companies’ ability to take up available electricity and deliver it to consumers.
“The constraint on the sector is not limited to generation and transmission but includes how much power is taken up and delivered at the distribution end,” the statement quoted the minister as saying.
Tegbe said the Energy Zones would assist in bridging the distribution gap, stimulate commercial and industrial electricity demand, and strengthen the revenue generation and collection capacity of distribution companies.
The minister further reiterated the Federal Government’s plan to expand electricity infrastructure in high-demand areas, noting that power supply capacity must increase alongside the growth and requirements of Nigeria’s economy.
The proposed zones are expected to target areas where dependable electricity is essential for businesses, manufacturing and other productive ventures. However, the government did not disclose when the initiative would commence, the proposed capacity of the zones or the specific infrastructure projects required to achieve 24-hour electricity supply.
The engagement is also part of Tegbe’s stated commitment, upon assuming office, to pursue a structured and phased strategy for tackling the longstanding challenges affecting Nigeria’s power sector.
The initiative is in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which recognises dependable electricity as an important factor in economic expansion, industrial development and job creation.
Representatives of Abuja Electricity Distribution Company, Ikeja Electric, Eko Power, Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company and Sahara Energy Group attended the meeting.
The proposed Energy Zones come as concerns persist over the reliability of electricity supply and the ability of distribution companies to efficiently deliver available power to consumers.
