The minister of power, works and housing, Babatunde Fashola has stated that the government isn’t at fault for the epileptic power supply in the country.
Fashola was speaking at the Nextier Power Dialogue in Abuja on Wednesday and while there he said that the past administration was at fault as they sold assets that would have been useful in making the power sector better. He also added that the private sector (GenCos and DisCos) are in charge of light now.
He did say that he would not abandon the power issue even if his role is that of oversight.
Fashola said: “There are problems without a doubt and we must deal with them. But let me remind you, all of the assets that the ministry of power used to control for power have been sold by the last administration before I came. And so if you don’t have power, it is not the government’s problem. Let us be honest,” Fashola was quoted to have said.
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“The people who are operating the power sector, generation and distribution are now privately owned companies. I am here because I am concerned. If your telephone is not working, it is not the minister of communication that you go to. Let us be very clear.
Fashola added: “So for those of you who want to weaponise electricity, face the businessmen who have taken it up. Let us be honest. If your bank over-charges you interest, is it the minister of finance you go to? So let’s be clear. This is now a private business by Act of parliament 2005.
“My role is regulatory, oversight and policy, but I have a problem which is the fact that I can’t see a problem and turn my back, so I’m getting involved. So the people you should be talking to about transformers is not me, the ministry doesn’t supply transformers anymore.”