The Vice Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, says an APC-led Federal Government can provide steady power supply by installing Independent Power Projects in strategic parts of the country.
Osinbajo added that his party would ensure that the privatisation of the power sector is given a larger scope if it takes over.
Osinbajo, who is the running mate of Maj.Gen Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), said this at a Ketu town hall meeting organised by Friends of Osinbajo in Lagos on Sunday.
He said already, IPPs were being used to provide steady electricity in courts and hospitals across Lagos State and this could be expanded.
He said, "What we must understand is that the Federal Government has privatised power distribution and generation, not transmission and we feel transmission should be privatised as well. We don't have power today because generating plants can't get gas supply and this is also largely because of the bad pipes.
"If we wait until we can set up proper gas infrastructure, it can take 10 to 15 years before we can get steady power supply.
"So, we have decided to decentralise power. For example, in Lagos we have IPPs in Marina which generates 10 megawatts and it powers hospitals and courts. We also have in Ikeja. They do not have problems of gas supply. The IPPs are directly connected to the place we want it to power.
"If we can mobilise our trade groups in certain areas, we can provide 24-hour power for them. Also, we can then provide for local governments. In Lagos for instance, the state government already knows the power needs of each local government so we can provide IPPs as well."
Osinbajo added that the price of gas must also be deregulated so that more private companies could invest in the sector and increase power supply.
Source: Punch
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