Ex-Minister Exposes Those Purportedly Sabotaging Power Supply In Nigeria

Former Minister of Power, Professor Bart Nnaji, has alleged that diesel suppliers and generator dealers are sabotaging the federal government and power distribution companies’ efforts to have a steady electricity supply in Nigeria.

Naija News reports that the ex-minister, who served in the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, stated this in Umuahia while participating in the FLO 94.9 FM programme in the Abia State capital tagged, ‘The South East Political Roundtable’.

Nnaji averred that, like some other sectors, the power sector has some cabals that make gains from the problems of poor power supply in the country.

He further disclosed that some generator and diesel dealers approached him, complaining that he was ruining their businesses.

The ex-minister added that diesel suppliers and generator sellers are major obstacles for those in the country’s power generation business.

He said, “There are two areas when you talk of cabals in the sector. The diesel suppliers and generator users.

“Nigeria is a big user of generators because of our enormous power needs and those who are in the business would not want any interruption.

“The diesel suppliers feel that a stable power supply would destroy their business. In fact, some of them came to me that I am ruining their business and I advised them to get into a better business, maybe power generation.

“A graphic picture of how dangerous the diesel suppliers can be is when we were in government, somewhere in the South West, some men cut down 30KVA lines to stop electricity supply to thousands of users.

“Unfortunately the diesel supplying company sponsored the operation; incidentally, the power cable fell on one of them who later confessed to the crime”.