By Ndudirim Sylvia Iloka
The Federal Government has intensified efforts to strengthen transparency, accountability and institutional integrity in Nigeria’s power sector, with the Ministry of Power seeking closer collaboration with the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to tackle corruption, infrastructure vandalism and other systemic challenges undermining electricity supply across the country.
The Minister of Power, Joseph Olasunkanmi Tegbe, made the call during a visit to the ICPC headquarters in Abuja, where he led a delegation of senior officials of the ministry on a courtesy visit to the anti-graft agency. The meeting focused on deepening collaboration in promoting transparency, enhancing project oversight and supporting ongoing reforms aimed at improving power generation, transmission and distribution.
Speaking during the visit, Tegbe said the administration remains committed to delivering reliable electricity to Nigerians, noting that improved power supply is critical to economic growth, industrial development and the overall wellbeing of citizens.
He expressed optimism that the measures being implemented by the Federal Government would begin to yield more visible results before the end of the year.
The minister further stated that electricity is an essential service that directly impacts every sector of the economy, stressing that while consumers have a responsibility to pay for the energy they consume, government policies would continue to protect vulnerable Nigerians from undue hardship through targeted interventions.
Tegbe noted that the ICPC occupies a strategic position in the Federal Government’s efforts to strengthen accountability and transparency in public institutions. He maintained that sustained collaboration with anti-corruption agencies and other relevant security institutions would help address longstanding challenges in the power sector and ensure that public resources are effectively utilised.
He explained that one of the major obstacles confronting the sector is the persistent vandalism of electricity infrastructure, revealing that such criminal activities account for nearly one-third of the challenges affecting power supply nationwide. According to him, protecting critical national assets requires the collective efforts of government institutions, security agencies and members of the public.
The minister stressed that improved monitoring of projects, prudent management of public resources and strict enforcement of accountability mechanisms would contribute significantly to achieving the government’s objectives for the sector.
Highlighting recent achievements, Tegbe observed that national electricity generation has now surpassed 5,000 megawatts, describing the development as an encouraging milestone in the ongoing reform process. He, however, emphasised that the government is determined to build on the progress through sustained investments, stronger regulatory oversight and enhanced collaboration with stakeholders across the electricity value chain.
Responding on behalf of the Chairman of the ICPC, Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, SAN, the Commission’s Secretary, Clifford Okwudili Oparaodu, commended the Ministry of Power for initiating the partnership, describing it as a significant step towards strengthening transparency and accountability in one of Nigeria’s most strategic sectors.
Oparaodu noted that reliable electricity remains indispensable to industrialisation, economic expansion, job creation and national development. He explained that the Commission would continue to deploy its three-pronged mandate of enforcement, prevention and public enlightenment to support the government’s reform agenda and ensure that public resources allocated to the sector achieve their intended purpose.
He further stated that contractors, consultants and other stakeholders entrusted with public funds would continue to receive close scrutiny to prevent diversion of resources, eliminate corrupt practices and guarantee value for money in the execution of government projects.
The ICPC Secretary also advised the Ministry of Power to intensify public sensitisation campaigns against the vandalism of electricity infrastructure, stressing that the destruction of transmission lines, transformers and other critical installations not only weakens the nation’s power supply but also imposes enormous economic costs on government and citizens.
He maintained that greater public awareness, stronger institutional collaboration and consistent enforcement of relevant laws would play a vital role in safeguarding electricity infrastructure and supporting the Federal Government’s drive to build a more efficient, transparent and sustainable power sector capable of meeting the energy needs of Nigerians.
