FG begins plan for 24-hour power zones in Lagos, Abuja, Kano

The Federal Government has begun discussions with electricity distribution companies on the creation of Energy Zones designed to provide 24-hour electricity supply to homes, businesses and industries in major demand centres.

The proposed zones will cover the Lagos axis, Abuja-Kaduna-Kano corridor and the Enugu-Port Harcourt corridor.

The Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, disclosed the initiative during a closed-door meeting with the management of selected electricity distribution companies.

His media aide, Adeola Adelabu, announced the meeting in a statement issued on Wednesday.

According to the statement, the initiative is aimed at addressing distribution challenges and ensuring that electricity generated and transmitted through the national grid is delivered more reliably to consumers, particularly in areas with significant commercial and industrial activity.

Tegbe said the problems confronting the power sector went beyond generation and transmission, stressing the need to improve the capacity of distribution companies to take up and deliver available electricity.

“The constraint on the sector is not limited to generation and transmission but includes how much power is taken up and delivered at the distribution end,” the minister said.

He said the Energy Zones would help bridge the distribution gap, stimulate commercial and industrial demand and improve the revenue and collection performance of distribution companies.

The minister also reiterated the government’s plan to expand electricity infrastructure in high-demand areas, noting that supply capacity must keep pace with Nigeria’s growing economy.

The proposed zones are expected to prioritise areas where dependable electricity is critical to manufacturing, businesses and other productive activities.

However, the government has yet to announce a timeline for implementation, the expected power capacity or the specific infrastructure projects required to achieve round-the-clock supply.

The meeting was attended by representatives of the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company, Ikeja Electric, Eko Power, Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company and Sahara Energy Group.

The government said the engagement was part of Tegbe’s phased approach to addressing longstanding challenges in the power sector and was consistent with the administration’s focus on improving electricity supply, industrialisation and job creation.