The Minister of Power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo, has assured Nigerians that the ministry will work assiduously to improve power supply to Nigerians.
Nebo gave the assurance ahead of the inauguration of the “Light-Up Rural Nigeria’’ project in Durumi, Bwari Area Council of Abuja, by President Goodluck Jonathan, on Monday in Abuja.
He said the ministry was working hard to ensure stable power supply in spite of some of the challenges in the sector.
“The immediate goal of the Federal Government is to ensure that those already getting between 12 and 14 hours of supply begin to enjoy between 16 and 18 hours of power supply, respectively.
“We also have a target to ensure that major cities like Lagos and Abuja get between 22 and 23 hours’ supply daily,’’ he said.
He said the ultimate goal of government was for Nigerians to get 24 hours daily supply eventually, and expressed optimism that the vision was realisable.
“Government’s vision will not stop at giving electricity to city dwellers, but will also ensure that power goes to all the nooks and crannies of the country.
“To this end, President Jonathan has given us marching orders to take electricity to all cities, even those that are not connected to the national grid,’’ he said.
He, however, decried the activities of saboteurs, who he said, had upped the ante in their bid to suppress the good work of the stakeholders in the industry.
He also decried the recent vandalism of gas pipelines in the Warri axis of Escravos.
Nebo called on Nigerians to join the Federal Government and security agencies in the fight against the ugly trend.