By Lukman Olabiyi, Lagos
The Lagos State Government has reaffirmed the commitment and determination of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to stabilise power supply in the state.
This was made known by the Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Mr Olalere Odusote, at the ongoing ministerial press briefing to commemorate second in office of Governor Sanwo-Olu’s administration.
Speaking on why Lagosians are experiencing unstable power supply, Odusote said: ‘As it is now, Lagos only get 900 megawats, which is less than the required numbers for the entire population of Lagos, but I can assure you that Lagos State government is working frantically to increase the number to at least nothing less than 2,000. You know the more megawats, the more electricity for Lagosians.’
According to him, the electricity policy, when it becomes functional and fully implemented, will also accelerate the “Light-up Lagos” power programme which the state government has embarked upon.
The commissioner noted that the ‘Lagos Electricity Policy is vital in achieving the T.H.E.M.E.S. agenda of Governor Sanwo-Olu’s this administration and will serve as a key driver for the social and economic development aspirations of the state in consonance with government’s 30-year Development Plan (2021 – 2051), currently being developed.’
On the governor’s commitment and determination on constant and affordable power supply to Lagosians, the commissioner disclosed that very soon the state government will begin installation of 20,000 prepaid energy meters to five low-income communities in the state.
Y2021 MINISTERIAL PRESS BRIEFING – MINISTRY OF ENERGY AND MINERAL RESOURCES https://t.co/tDOHXAOQMc
— The Lagos State Govt (@followlasg) May 11, 2021
Mr Odusote said that the prepaid meters would be deployed before the end of the year.
‘The governor has approved procurement and installation of 20,000 Prepaid Energy Meters for targeted low-income communities in Lagos State, as a way of improving electricity supply in the affected communities.
‘Approval was expanded to enable funds to be utilised to catalyze full metering across the state via collaborations with Electricity Distribution Companies in Lagos and a leading smart metering solution company, ElSewedy Electric.
‘We have identified five communities that we will start to rollout. The communities are in Isale Eko, Surulere, Alimosho, Agege and Mushin.
‘We will start from those communities, we have started work on evaluation of their needs, because their needs are not related to just prepaid meters alone. Once we finish with the evaluation, we will come out with the roadmap to roll out,’ he said.
According to him, the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources is leveraging and building local capabilities and manpower to drive the future of energy in the state.
The commissioner said that the ministry unveiled the Lagos Smart Meter Hackathon for the local design and production of affordable meters to increase meter penetration in the state leveraging local capacity towards improving electricity distribution and monitoring.
He said to that after the hackathon, affordable metering solutions were selected and work was ongoing with the shortlisted team on prototype design.
Mr Odusote said the Lagos Energy Academy successfully trained participants of its smart electrical engineering in partnership with Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board.
He said that 60 per cent of the participants successfully secured local and international employment placements
‘The ministry, through the Lagos State Electricity Board, is seeking to reposition the Lagos Energy Academy as an internationally accredited vocational/technical institution.
‘The state is also currently exploring potential partnerships with industry players to fund, manage and grow the Lagos Energy Academy,’ he said.