The Minister of Power, Mr Adebayo Adelabu,  has decried the activities of saboteurs and cartels in the electricity sector, blaming them for the incessant power outages in the country.

Adelabu  expressed this during a  programme tagged “Confronting Nigeria’s Power Challenge as the Nation Migrates to a Multi-Tier Electricity Market” on Tuesday in Abuja.

The programme was organised by the  House of Representatives Committee on Power.

The minister  said  saboteurs and cartels perpetrated evil for their selfish interests in order to frustrate efforts at ensuring stable electricity supply in the country.

“We have saboteurs, cartels, and those who prefer to perpetrate evil for their selfish interests to frustrate our efforts,” Adelabu said.

He said all efforts must be geared towards propelling the country to  the league of  productive nations, adding that Nigeria was looking at reserves that would  eliminate incessant power collapse.

He said the Federal Government was considering the liberalisation of the power sector.

“We also encourage the state government to invest in power generation in their states, ” the minister said.

Adelabu listed Abia as one of the states that had invested in power, adding that the Federal Executive Council (FEC) had also granted Ekiti and Enugu State the right to generate tariffs.

The minister said it was worrisome that a lot of investors did not come with their private equity, but had to borrow money from the bank to operate in the sector.

He, however, said that with time,  investors would be made to operate the right way for the benefit of the sector.

The minister  also said that FG was looking at deepening  rural electrification, adding that it would be done in collaboration with the state governments.

Adelabu said there were over 100 uncompleted power projects across the country, adding that those projects would not be energy-efficient without being completed.

Speaking, Mr Kola Adeshina, Group Managing Director, Sahara Power Group, expressed the regret that Nigeria  could not supply electricity efficiently in spite of its abundant gas resources.

He said if electricity was not a  priority in budget provision, it  would  be difficult for the country to work.

Adeshina said  Nigeria had the resources to double its power generation.

“If the executive brings an appropriation bill before you(lawmakers) and the power sector is not number two after defence, then don’t allow it.” he said.

He urged government to prioritise industrial areas in power distribution.

“After the industrial areas have had light during the day, we can shift power at night to residential areas because production takes place during the day.

“Let’s sequence our investment along the line of value-added. Nigerians are resilient, we are strong, and we have tenacity. Nigerians are tired of power collapse,” he said.

Care International Nigeria, a prominent non-governmental organization (NGO), has called upon the Federal Government to establish a robust policy framework aimed at fostering a culture of savings, particularly among women, to bolster economic resilience.

Addressing attendees at the 2024 National Savings Group Conference in Abuja on Tuesday, themed “Accelerating Financial and Economic Inclusion: The Pivotal Role of Savings Groups in Nigeria,” Dr. Hussaini Abdul, the Country Director of the NGO, emphasized the pivotal role of savings in alleviating poverty, especially in rural areas.

Dr. Abdul stressed the imperative of fortifying savings groups’ mechanisms to enhance widespread participation across the nation. “Poverty remains deeply entrenched, particularly in rural areas, often exacerbated by the absence of essential social services, including financial facilities,” he remarked.

He acknowledged the longstanding financial practices prevalent in rural communities, such as “esusu,” “ajo,” or “adashi,” which have evolved as coping mechanisms. Dr. Abdul highlighted the importance of bolstering these indigenous financial structures through improved coordination, management, and accountability systems.

“We advocate for a proactive engagement from government entities at all levels to devise a comprehensive policy framework supporting the institutionalization of these mechanisms,” he added.

The conference, Dr. Abdul noted, aims to foster a conducive environment for collaborative efforts toward advancing financial inclusion through savings groups nationwide.

In a statement delivered on behalf of Vice President Kashim Shettima by Dr. Nurudeen Zauro, Technical Adviser on Financial Inclusion to President Bola Tinubu, the government pledged to review existing policy frameworks to facilitate an enabling environment for savings groups.

Dr. Zauro highlighted the pressing need to address financial exclusion, with approximately 26% of Nigerians currently outside the formal financial system and an additional 36% considered unbanked, primarily from the informal sector. He underscored the link between financial inclusion and broader socioeconomic challenges, including multidimensional poverty and security concerns.

Recognized partners in the initiative include Plan International, ActionAid, Mercy Corps, USAID, GIZ, The World Bank, and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).

The National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has initiated a collaborative effort with BUA Cement to implement regular drug tests for drivers and other employees of the company, aiming to ensure they remain free from illicit substances.

Mr. Adamu Iro, the NDLEA Commandant in Sokoto State, disclosed this during a sensitization lecture jointly organized by NDLEA and BUA Cement for the company’s workers in Sokoto. Iro emphasized that this initiative would play a crucial role in safeguarding lives and commended BUA Cement for its commitment to this partnership.

Highlighting the importance of the initiative, Iro noted the alarming trend of some drivers engaging in the illegal use of substances, posing significant risks to their health and overall well-being. He expressed concern that drug abuse has unfortunately become a normalized lifestyle for many Nigerians, leading to an increase in criminal activities among drug-dependent individuals.

Iro underscored the correlation between drug abuse and the prevalent crimes in the nation, emphasizing that drivers under the influence of drugs pose serious threats to public safety through road accidents.

Mrs. Ramatu Sani, the Head of Training at BUA Cement, expressed gratitude to NDLEA for their support in promoting the well-being of workers and enhancing productivity within the company. She emphasized the significance of the sensitization program in fostering a healthy work environment and sustaining the partnership between NDLEA and BUA Cement.

Mr. Ibrahim Bande, the Head of Transport at BUA Cement, urged workers to heed the lectures and abstain from all forms of drug abuse, emphasizing its detrimental effects on personal development and societal well-being. He cautioned drivers against operating under the influence of drugs, emphasizing the importance of upholding the company’s integrity and ensuring road safety.

The event included a drama presentation highlighting the dangers of drug abuse and recognized staff members who have contributed to the fight against drug abuse within the company. Additionally, a road walk was organized within the community to raise awareness among residents about the hazards of drug abuse and its associated consequences.