Juliet Ezeh
Former Minister of Power, Goddy Jedy-Agba, has identified gas supply challenges as a major factor responsible for Nigeria’s persistent electricity shortages.
Speaking at an exclusive book signing event, the former minister said the inability to pay gas producers has significantly affected power generation, as suppliers are unwilling to provide gas without payment.
“The problem I hear now is they don’t have gas. If you don’t pay for gas, producers will not supply, and without gas, you cannot generate enough electricity,” he explained.
Jedy-Agba noted that during his time in office, the government ensured payments were made to sustain gas supply and boost electricity generation. However, he declined to directly assess the current administration’s handling of the sector, stating it would be unfair to publicly judge his successors.
Despite the challenges, he expressed optimism about the future of Nigeria’s power sector, highlighting ongoing efforts to diversify energy sources beyond hydro and gas. According to him, groundwork for alternative energy development was already laid before his exit in 2023.
He emphasized that with the right resources and sustained policies, Nigeria can achieve improved and stable power supply.
Juliet Ezeh is the founder and chief reporter at Westbridge Reporters with over 7 years of experience in journalism. She covers crime, industry, policy, and social developments, delivering timely and accurate reporting.