Hon. Eka Williams Commends Tinubu’s Power Sector Reforms, Pushes for Collaboration on Decentralization
By Goodness Ekpang
Abuja (Core Reporters) The Cross River State Commissioner for Power and Renewable Energy and Chairman of the Forum of Power and Energy Commissioners in Nigeria, Hon. Prince Eka Williams, has commended the reforms being introduced by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the electricity sector, describing the decentralization of the electricity market as a bold and necessary step toward achieving stable power supply in Nigeria.
Hon. Eka gave the commendation on Thursday, July 16, during an interactive meeting with members of the Abuja Power and Energy Correspondents in Abuja.
He stated that President Tinubu’s policy of decentralizing the electricity market would unlock investment opportunities and improve electricity access across states and communities.
“The President is taking bold steps that will transform the sector. This decentralization drive is the right way to go for Nigeria. The challenge of electricity should not be left to the Federal Government alone. Private individuals, corporate organizations, and state governments must collaborate by investing in 100kV, 500kV, and other power infrastructure in communities across the country. The drive to provide electricity must be everyone’s responsibility,” he said.
The Chairman of the Nigeria Forum of Power and Energy Commissioners disclosed that power infrastructure is highly capital-intensive and requires a long implementation period, adding that the full benefits of the current administration’s reforms may not be immediate.
He urged Nigerians to be patient with the administration, noting that the reforms are designed to deliver sustainable, long-term results.
Speaking on the country’s energy mix, Eka said states and the private sector could begin with small-scale interventions by generating a few megawatts of electricity in localized communities.
He also stressed the need to expand off-grid electricity generation by harnessing renewable energy sources such as solar, biomass, and wind to improve electricity access across the country.
The Commissioner further referenced the Electricity Act 2023 as the legal framework enabling states to participate more actively in the power sector.
He also commended the Minister of Power for inaugurating a nine-member committee to address the challenges associated with electricity market decentralization and recommend workable solutions for advancing the sector.
Prince Eka also commended state governments that are making deliberate efforts to improve electricity supply within their jurisdictions.
He also called on Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Chairman of the Dangote Group, to invest in the power sector to help bridge Nigeria’s energy gap.
According to him, with shared responsibility among government, the private sector, and citizens, Nigeria can achieve universal access to electricity.
