By Mary Izuaka

 

The Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, has held a strategic closed-door meeting with the leadership of selected electricity distribution companies (DisCos) to discuss the federal government’s proposed Energy Zones, a new initiative designed to provide stable 24-hour electricity in Nigeria’s highest-demand areas.

The proposed zones will target homes, businesses, and industries in the Lagos axis, the Abuja-Kaduna-Kano corridor, and the Enugu-Port Harcourt corridor, according to a ministry statement on Wednesday.

The meeting, which was held in Lagos on Tuesday, is part of the government’s push to resolve longstanding challenges in the power sector and deliver reliable electricity to Nigerians.

Attendees included the leadership of the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC), Ikeja Electric, Eko Electric, Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC), and Sahara Energy Group.

Speaking during the engagement, Mr Tegbe said the sector’s constraint is not limited to generation and transmission but also includes how much power is taken up and delivered at the distribution end.

He said the proposed Energy Zones are aimed at closing that gap.

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“The proposed Energy Zones are meant to close that gap, unlock commercial and industrial demand, and strengthen DisCo revenue and collections,” Mr Tegbe said.

He added that the federal government’s commitment is to build up infrastructure in high-demand areas to ensure supply keeps pace with estimated demand in our growing economy.

According to the statement, the engagement reinforces the minister’s commitment made upon assuming office to ensure a disciplined and sequenced approach to the sector’s challenges.

“It also advances the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which places reliable energy at the centre of economic growth, industrialisation and job creation,” it said.