Former Power Minister Professor Bart Nnaji has accused diesel suppliers and generator dealers of undermining the efforts of the federal government and power distribution companies to ensure a consistent electricity supply in Nigeria.
Dailystand.ng gathered that he made this statement during his participation in the FLO 94.9 FM program, ‘The South East Political Roundtable,’ held in Umuahia, Abia State.
Nnaji explained that, much like other sectors, influential groups are profiting from the ongoing issues with unreliable electricity in the power industry in Nigeria.
He also revealed that some diesel suppliers and generator dealers had approached him, expressing concerns that his actions were adversely affecting their businesses.
Nnaji emphasized that these diesel suppliers and generator sellers pose significant challenges for those involved in the country’s power generation sector.
“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”.
Former Power Minister Professor Bart Nnaji statement
