The Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu has told Nigerians that despite receiving what he called ‘threat calls’ from those apparently sad with the ongoing improvement in the nation’s power sector, he and his team will remain focused.
Adelabu made this declaration while featuring on a popular radio show on Fresh 105.9fm anchored by Mayor Isaac Brown and the Gang in Ibadan, the capital city of Oyo State on Saturday morning.
The Chartered Accountant turned politician also submitted during the Radio Show monitored by PMParrot that over 80 per cent of electricity generator manufacturers all over the world target Nigeria because of its population and hence, some of those who make money from the existing business arrangement in terms of sales of these products have been pushing against the wave of change in the power sector.
Said Adelabu: “I am the 49th Power Minister and I am determined to deliver by God’s grace. Those who feel I am blocking their means of livelihood should have a rethink. We are all Nigerians and if our country becomes better, we will all enjoy it. Power is critical. We must cooperate to improve the sector. We will take on all those who want to maintain the status quo.
“I am happy about one fact – I have the full backing of God and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. I am sure that Nigerians know that he used the power sector to campaign. He said he would turn the sector around. That is exactly what I am doing with my dedicated team.
“Yes, I am not an Engineer but there is a ministerial working group. We all work together to achieve a common goal.
“I am not in the ministry to award contracts and make money for myself and friends. At the same time, when I assumed office a year ago, I appealed to the different professionals in the ministry that it was not going to be business as usual. I also assured that I would not boss anybody around. I solicited for their cooperation and they have been doing this. That is why Nigerians are witnessing the ongoing transformation in the sector. We now generate over five thousand megawatts of electricity and this is the highest in Nigeria and yet, we believe this is just the beginning.”
While elaborating on how he was able to achieve so much within such a short time, Adelabu said “I am a focused man. I know I must not disappoint Mr President. Those who complained about me not being an Engineer made a mistake. I do not mean this as an insult. I was not appointed to manufacture cables or meter as a Minister. There are capable professionals and specialists in different departments. Mine is to co-ordinate, strategize, synergize and diagnose.
“Together, we identify and find solution to challenges, we stopped complaining and we started looking for sustainable and workable solutions.
“Let me also submit here that upon assumption of office as power Minister, I pushed for underlining legislation to decentralize power supply, I pushed for supportive policies, I also planned for reflective tariff regime, energy transition and others. You see, there is no problem in Nigeria that does not have a solution.
“I have maintained the focus because I am for good governance even if I am not a good politician. But I am happy that I am working under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. His is the most responsive government Nigerians have ever seen or experienced. Nigerians should be hopeful because better days are ahead.”
Packaged by Olayinka Agboola
