Energy Expert Blasts DISCOs Over False Claims On Power

CYRIACUS IZUEKWE

An energy expert, Prince Timothy Okedele has basted the association of the Electricity Distribution companies over their claims that the energy needed for stable power in Nigeria will be equal to the population of Nigeria which was about 184m.

Okedele said that with such claims, it showed clearly that those in charge of power distribution do not have enough knowledge about power and that had caused Nigeria darkness over the years.

The chairman of renewal energy promoters and research company known as Adesoke International Ventures reacted in the recent claim by the Public Relations Officer of the Association of Nigeria Electricity Distributors, Mr. Sunday Oduntan.

Mr. Oduntan had reportedly said in the radio programme that since the population of Nigeria was about 184m, it will require about 184m MegaWatts of power for stable power supply.

Prince Okedele claimed that such information was misleading, unprofessional and discouraging because there has not been any comprehensive energy audit. He said that Nigeria does not need such amount of MW for steady power supply.

He further explained that Oduntan should not have made such statement which exposed the ignorance of those managing power and stated that it was such ignorance that had affected power supply in Nigeria.

He however commended the Minister of Power, Mr. Babatunde Fashola for acknowledging the importance of having a power audit and constituting the panel comprising the DISCOs, GENCOs, TCO and other stakeholders to do the power audit.

Prince Okedele said that he was among those who supported the government to hand over the power sector to private investors but regretted that they do not have the capacity to manage or bring more investors. Hence they are now joking with the government and the people thereby ripping them off with much less service.

Okedele noted that the increase in solar panels importation between 5 to 10 percent will affect the rural electrification project as local production was still low and will generally affect revenue coming from such imports.

On local production of solar panels and components, he said that his company was ready to partner with the Federal Government and ensure it was mass produced and that will increase local production and generate more revenue for the government.

He urged the Minister for Power, Mr. Fashola to include the renewal energy private sectors in the power audit because they have inputs to make to ensure the problem of power was permanently solved in Nigeria.