ABUJA, NIGERIA – The Chairman of the Power Correspondents Association of Nigeria (PCAN), Mr. Obas Esiedesa, has called on  stakeholders in the electricity sector to move beyond identifying challenges and focus on practical solutions for reliable and affordable power supply.

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‎Esiedesa spoke at the 6th annual conference of the association held in Abuja, with the theme, “$1trn Economy: Nigeria’s Roadmap to Reliable and Affordable Power Supply.”

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‎He said the conference, which began as a modest gathering in November 2021, had grown into a major annual platform for engagement among policymakers, regulators, operators, investors, experts and journalists covering the power sector.

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‎“This year’s theme is particularly significant given the Federal Government’s ambition to grow the Nigerian economy to one trillion dollars by 2030,” Esiedesa said.

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‎“There is no gainsaying that reliable and affordable electricity is fundamental to achieving this ambition. No economy can sustainably attain significant growth without adequate and dependable power supply to support industries, businesses and households.”

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‎He said discussions must interrogate existing policies and reforms, examine investment opportunities, address infrastructure gaps, explore sustainable financing options and develop workable strategies for improving supply.

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‎Esiedesa identified the recurring seasonal decline in generation between November and March as a critical issue requiring urgent attention. He said reduced water inflows to hydropower stations during the period, combined with gas supply constraints to thermal plants, continued to undermine stable supply.

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‎He called on the government, regulators, generation companies and gas suppliers to strengthen collaboration and develop sustainable arrangements to guarantee adequate gas feedstock for thermal plants, especially during periods of low hydro generation.

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‎He also cited inadequate transmission and distribution infrastructure, liquidity challenges, investment gaps, regulatory uncertainty and inefficiency across the value chain as major constraints.

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‎On the Electricity Act 2023, Esiedesa said the decentralisation of the electricity market presented opportunities for investment, innovation and improved service delivery, but must be matched with effective coordination, clear regulatory frameworks and adequate infrastructure to deliver tangible benefits to consumers.

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‎He welcomed the Minister of Power, Chief Joseph Tegbe, as chairman and special guest of honour, saying his presence would allow stakeholders to hear directly from the government on its priorities and roadmap.

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‎He also said participants should expect insights from the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of FGN Power Company Ltd., Mr. Kenny O. Anuwe, whose paper, “FGN Power: Progress, Priorities and the Road Ahead,” would outline the company’s achievements and role in infrastructure development.

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‎Esiedesa urged panelists and participants to engage actively and speak frankly, saying the objective was not merely to identify problems but to contribute ideas that could inform policy, attract investment and improve supply.

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‎He thanked sponsors, partners and supporters for making the conference possible and commended the planning committee and the PCAN Executive Council for their work.

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‎“As journalists, our responsibility goes beyond reporting developments in the industry,” he said. “We must continue to provide accurate information, hold institutions accountable and promote constructive conversations that advance the national interest.”