FG, Lagos synergise to deliver 24/7 power as energy zones kick off

FG, Lagos synergise to deliver 24/7 power as energy zones kick off

By Benjamin Umuteme

Abuja

In a move to end the blackouts that have long weighed on households, businesses and industry, the federal government and Lagos state have agreed to work in synergy to deliver stable, reliable electricity to the Lagos corridor, as part of the 24/7 Energy Zones pilot approved by President Bola Tinubu.

The agreement followed a high-level technical session at the Lagos House, Marina, between the Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, and the leadership of the ministry, and Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos.

The 24/7 Energy Zones pilot will start in Lagos and extend to the Abuja-Kaduna-Kano and Enugu-Port Harcourt corridors, giving it a path to scale across Nigeria’s major commercial and industrial hubs.

Tegbe said the Ministry had engaged and secured commitments from the distribution companies to offtake more power and deliver steady and reliable electricity to customers along the Lagos corridor.

He expressed his readiness to work with Lagos on the four Ministerial priority areas approved by the President: Grid Stabilization, Market Liquidity, Grid Expansion, and Governance and Regulatory Harmonization.

In his remarks, Governor Sanwo-Olu commended the federal delegation for its seriousness, noting that since coming on board as Minister, Tegbe has shown the willingness and capacity to resolve lingering issues in the sector.

He said Lagos is equally committed and stressed the need to work out pragmatic solutions to make the sector work for Nigerians, and Lagosians in particular, creating a bankable, collaborative and competitive electricity market in Lagos.