No Meaningful Devt Without Addressing Power Sector Crisis – Shettima
Vice President Kashim Shettima has stated that Nigeria cannot achieve meaningful national economic development without addressing the power sector crisis and ensuring access to affordable energy for its citizens.
Shettima made this assertion on Thursday while inaugurating the National Economic Council (NEC) Ad Hoc Committee on National Electrification and the NEC Ad Hoc Committee on Polio Eradication at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Speaking at the event, the Vice President referenced countries like Indonesia, India, South Africa, and Uganda, which have overcome energy insufficiency challenges to emerge as industrialized nations. He emphasized, “There is no doubt that we cannot dream of meaningful national economic development without addressing the issue in the power sector and ensuring that Nigerians have accessible, available, and affordable energy.”
Shettima lamented that an estimated 40-70 percent of Nigerians lack formal access to electricity but expressed optimism that the calibre and experience of committee members would lead to positive changes.
He acknowledged the persistent challenges in the power sector, particularly the frequent national grid collapses, but remained hopeful that recent reforms in the energy sector would attract both local and foreign investments. “I believe we are well endowed with resources, be it gas, hydro, or solar, that allow us to have an optimal energy mix and build a resilient sector to ensure energy security for every Nigerian,” he added.
The Vice President urged members of the National Electrification Committee to work collaboratively to develop and implement a National Electrification Strategy and Implementation Plan.
While inaugurating the NEC Ad Hoc Committee on Polio Eradication, Shettima called for a renewed effort to combat the disease. He emphasized the importance of long-term solutions, including local vaccine production, to address the resurgence of polio.
“We cannot fight this virus by constantly responding to its recurrence, as short-term measures will always fail. We must develop a futuristic plan,” he said. Shettima highlighted the new variants of polio in Kano and Sokoto states and commended the firm actions taken by these states to address the outbreaks.
Governor Prince Bassey Edet Otu of Cross River State, chair of the National Electrification Committee, outlined the committee’s key tasks, including ending consistent grid collapses and deepening state engagement in the Electricity Reform Act 2023.
Governor Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State, chair of the Polio Eradication Committee, assured that the committee would work diligently to eradicate polio in the country. Yahaya commended the Vice President for assembling a strong team and emphasized the importance of collaborative efforts to achieve success.
Members of the National Electrification Committee include the governors of Katsina, Gombe, Osun, Imo, and Plateau states; the ministers of Finance, Budget and Economic Planning, and Power; representatives from the Rural Electrification Agency, Nigeria Governors’ Forum, and other key stakeholders.
The Polio Eradication Committee includes governors of Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Zamfara, and Sokoto states; representatives from the Ministry of Health, UNICEF, the Aliko Dangote Foundation, and other health organizations.
The inauguration of the committees underscores the federal government’s commitment to addressing critical national challenges in the power and health sectors.
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