By Stella Odueme
The Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, has announced the commencement of five interconnected mini-grid projects with a combined capacity of 17.7 megawatts in Oyo State, assuring Nigerians that the Federal Government has no plan to increase electricity tariffs.
Tegbe made this known during the groundbreaking ceremony for the projects, which are expected to improve electricity supply to communities across Akinyele, Ido, Ibadan North, Egbeda and Lagelu Local Government Areas of the state.
The projects comprise the Bola, Jiboye, Molade-Adelubi, Ogo Oluwa and Sooko-Elega interconnected mini-grids, supported by a 17.74-megawatt battery energy storage system.
According to the minister in a statement on Thursday, the initiative will expand access to reliable electricity for households and businesses, reduce dependence on generators and create opportunities for economic growth, investment and employment.
He described the projects as part of the Federal Government's commitment under the Renewed Hope Agenda to improving electricity access across the country.
Tegbe noted that similar interventions, supported by the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), had been implemented in communities across Kwara, Niger, Nasarawa, Plateau, Adamawa and Kaduna states.
He acknowledged the contributions of the REA, Paras Energy and Natural Resources Development Limited, the project developer, the World Bank, which provided financing, and the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company to the initiative.
The minister also commended the Oyo State Government, traditional rulers, community leaders and host communities for their cooperation in facilitating the projects.
He particularly acknowledged the support of the Olubadan of Ibadanland, which he said contributed to the realisation of the initiative.
Addressing concerns over reports of a possible electricity tariff increase, Tegbe categorically dismissed the claims, insisting that the Federal Government had no intention of raising tariffs.
He urged Nigerians to disregard what he described as misinformation, stressing that the government's priority was to improve electricity supply and achieve round-the-clock power nationwide.
The minister disclosed that the government was pursuing plans to establish three major energy zones covering the Lagos-Ogun corridor, the Abuja-Kaduna-Kano corridor and the Benin-Enugu-Port Harcourt corridor.
He explained that the proposed zones were intended to strengthen electricity supply and support economic activities in key commercial and industrial centres.
Tegbe further revealed that efforts were underway to reinforce the national grid along the eastern and western corridors, including strategic generation and transmission locations such as Funtua, Kainji, Gwagwalada, Gombe, Makurdi, Ajaokuta, Ikot Ekpene, Benin and Egbin.
According to him, the broader objective is to improve grid stability and reliability across the country, ensuring that the benefits of enhanced electricity supply extend beyond the initial energy zones.
He said the government remained committed to making 24-hour electricity supply a reality for Nigerians through strategic investments in power infrastructure and collaboration with relevant stakeholders.
Tegbe formally flagged off the five mini-grid projects on behalf of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, expressing optimism that their completion would improve livelihoods and expand economic opportunities in the beneficiary communities.
He described the initiative as a demonstration of how collaboration among government institutions, private sector operators and development partners could help address Nigeria's electricity challenges and accelerate development.