Power Minister Seeks ICPC Partnership to Tackle Corruption, Improve Power Supply
By Raphael Ekpang
Abuja (Core Reporters) – The Minister of Power, Olasunkani Tegbe, has called for stronger collaboration between the Federal Ministry of Power and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to tackle corruption-related challenges and drive sustainable improvements in Nigeria’s electricity supply.
Tegbe, accompanied by top management officials of the ministry, made the call during a courtesy visit to the ICPC headquarters in Abuja on July 13, where both institutions discussed pressing issues affecting the nation’s power sector.
Speaking during the visit, the minister assured Nigerians that the government was working to deliver visible improvements in electricity supply before the end of the year.
He stressed that electricity is essential to every Nigerian, regardless of social status.
“Electricity is no longer free. One way or another, people must pay. Ultimately, someone has to bear the cost,” he said, while assuring that vulnerable groups would be protected to ensure equitable access to electricity.
The minister described the ICPC as a key institution in the government’s drive to strengthen transparency and accountability in the power sector.
“ICPC is one of the cardinal institutions we are engaging, alongside security agencies, to deepen transparency and accountability in the sector. We look forward to forging a sustainable and long-term relationship with the Commission,” he said.
Tegbe noted that about 30 per cent of the challenges facing the power sector are linked to vandalism, underscoring the need for the Commission’s guidance and institutional support in combating corruption and enforcing accountability.
He also disclosed that Nigeria has recorded measurable progress in electricity generation, with output now exceeding 5,000 megawatts, expressing optimism that the partnership with ICPC would help sustain and build on these gains.
Receiving the delegation on behalf of the ICPC Chairman, Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, the Commission’s Secretary, Mr. Clifford Okwudili Oparaodu, commended the Ministry of Power for recognizing the anti-graft agency as a strategic partner in repositioning Nigeria’s electricity sector.
Oparaodu acknowledged the country’s longstanding electricity challenges but expressed confidence that improved power supply would stimulate industrialization, create jobs, and accelerate economic growth.
He reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to its three-pronged mandate of enforcement, corruption prevention, and public education, assuring that contractors and other stakeholders entrusted with public resources would be held accountable.
“Through our enforcement mandate, the Commission will ensure that contractors and other stakeholders handling government resources are prevented from defrauding the government,” Oparaodu said.
He also urged the ministry to intensify public sensitization campaigns on the dangers of vandalizing electricity infrastructure, noting that such acts ultimately undermine national development and harm all Nigerians.
