Power Minister, Adelabu Begs Nigerians Over Unguarded Statement

The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, has apologized to Nigerians for making an unguarded statement during the heat of controversy that recently trailed the electricity tariff increase.

The Minister said he never intended to insult their sensibilities by saying they keep freezers on for days due to the low electricity tariff.

During an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Adelabu expressed remorse, stating, “We regret any remarks that might have caused offense. Our intention was never to belittle or insult anyone.”

RovingNaija News recalls the minister faced heavy criticism for comments suggesting Nigerians lacked a culture of managing electricity consumption due to affordable power rates.

His remarks came after the government announced tariff adjustments for Band A consumers, sparking widespread outrage and calls for his resignation.

However, on Thursday, Adelabu expressed regret over his comment, saying it “was never intended to insult the sensibilities of Nigerians in any way”.

“It was innocent advice about energy consumption management which we believe will go a long way in reducing people’s energy bills. And that advice was directed at those that we believe that because of the recent increase in tariff, they will start enjoying 20 hours of power per day,” he said.

The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) recently announced a tariff increase for customers receiving 20 hours of daily power supply, classified under Band A.

This adjustment will entail customers paying N225 per kilowatt-hour, a significant jump from the current N66 rate.

The timing of the hike, coupled with prevailing economic challenges, has led to widespread discontent among Nigerians.

Addressing concerns, the minister emphasized that the tariff adjustment would impact only a fraction, approximately 1.5 million—of the sector’s 12 million consumers.

Despite this reassurance, public dissatisfaction persists, underscoring the need for transparent communication and collaborative solutions in navigating Nigeria’s energy landscape.