By John Ikani
Nigeria’s Minister of Power, Abubakar Aliyu says the nation is in talks with Egypt to explore areas where both countries can find solution to the problem of epileptic power supply in the Africa’s most populous country.
Aliyu disclosed this on Tuesday during a visit of Ihab Awad, Egyptian ambassador to Nigeria.
“You have mentioned how you have succeeded in solving the problem of power in Egypt.
“Which is a very interesting development because as an ambassador to Nigeria you have been here for some time, you are aware of how we are facing this issue in this country,” Mr Aliyu said.
The minister further noted that his ministry would discuss and set up a team that would come up with the key points and areas that the federal government can engage with the government of Egypt.
“You talked about the discussion which President Muhammadu Buhari had with Egypt President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi; this is very important, and that will help us.
“President Muhammadu Buhari is very concerned with the issue of power so will not relent.
“We will meet to ensure you get some feedback from us,” the minister added.
Responding, Mr Awad told the minister that both parties agreed “there was a need for collaboration between your government and our country in the area of revitalising and renewing the power generation.”
What you should know
Nigeria’s shortage of reliable power supply is a constraint on the country’s economic growth.
Improving electricity generation and transmission was one of President Buhari’s core election campaign promises.
However, generation and transmission of power from the grid hasn’t exceeded a grossly inadequate 7,000megawatts since the APC led federal government unseated the PDP in May of 2015.
In 2018, Nigeria’s then Minister of Power, Babatunde Fashola, said only a magician can fix Nigeria’s poor electricity woes overnight.
There’s extensive literature on the energy solutions that could provide reliable power supply. But most of it has focused on small-scale systems such as solar power for rural homes.
There is still need for power in urban areas, not just for lighting homes but for powering commercial and industrial operations.
