Fashola made the statement as a distinguished lecturer at
the University of Lagos on Thursday in Lagos.
The theme of the lecture, organised by the Department of
Economics of the university, was: The Power Sector Reform in Nigeria;
Challenges and the Way Forward.
Fashola said there was no mystery in achieving stable and
reliable electricity supply but that all stakeholders must conform to
guidelines of the sector’s roadmap.
He said the roadmap was aimed at getting incremental,
stable and uninterrupted power but that achieving set targets required
step-by-step approach.
He appealed to Nigerians to be patient with APC government
and pledged that the party would deliver on its promises.
The minister said attacks on gas pipelines; kidnapping of
expatriates working on power sustainability, procedures and inefficiencies in
power transmission and distribution were among the challenges facing the
sector.
He also cited sabotage in governance; non-payment of tariff,
poor investment, among others as other challenges frustrating the power sector.
The minister noted that the issue of stable power was
characterised by many years of broken promises but added that the sector was
making progress.
He said that the country was not yet feeling the
impact of work done because of the processes involved in transmission and
distribution.
“The issue of containers left in the port for about 10
years; explosion of pipelines; badly installed equipment; cancelled tariff,
electricity theft among others are all the handiwork of men.
“Now, if men and women created these problems, in my view
only men and women can solve them.
” You and I have a role to play, I have stood up to
play my role, have you?”
The minister highlighted issues related to metering and
tariff and asked Nigerians to blow whistle when they noticed sharp practices
among the operators.
Dr Wale Babalakin , the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman Governing Council of the university, said the country needed a well thought out solution based on creativity.
Dr Wale Babalakin , the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman Governing Council of the university, said the country needed a well thought out solution based on creativity.
“In thinking of the power generating solution of this
country, we also we must be creative. We have what it takes but we indeed need
to work on our attitude.
“And that is why I am calling on all to join hand in
reforming our education sector which is key to any developmental stride.
.
“Education as the engine room for the revolution of Nigeria
must be fostered,” he said.
Earlier, the Vice-Chancellor of the institution, Prof.
Rahamon Bello, said Fashola was well informed about intrigues in
the sector and would get the solution with the support of all Nigerians.
.
Bello said under the minister plans had been concluded
to energise all public universities in Nigeria, adding that an agreement
had been signed for power generation at the university of Lagos.
The Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences of the university, Prof. Iyiola Oni, noted that the multiplier effects of power outages in the country had led to high cost of production.
The Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences of the university, Prof. Iyiola Oni, noted that the multiplier effects of power outages in the country had led to high cost of production.
Oni also stated that inflation, unemployment and poverty
were ripple effects of the power sector challenge.
.
“In effect, this means that most of these negative
vices are more likely to become things of the past if sufficient and reliable
power supply can be guaranteed,” he said .(NAN)
Daily Trust
