– Nigeria’s minister of power, works and housing, Babatunde Fashola is one man that is having it rough at the moment
– Fashola’s achievements as Lagos state governor has been rubbished by his seemingly in-activeness as a minister
– The minister however had the opportunity to explain his challenges today, June 1
Minister of power, works and housing, Babatunde Fashola has blamed the recent vandalisation of pipelines by militant groups on the poor power supply across the country.
Fashola who was speaking at the Buhari meter town hall meeting in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja today, June 9, organised by the Center for Democracy and Development said: ”I don’t know any country that wants to have electricity that destroys its electricity infrastructure.”
Fashola at the Buhari meter town hall meeting today, June 9
He continued: ”Yes, there is no power. But it does not mean there is no capacity to produce power. In February, we were able to meet 5,000 megawatts.
”When you have an idea how extensive the pipeline network is and how they must pass through land.”
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Fashola assured his audience that the aim of the present administration is to generate 20,000 megawatts in five years time.
He also spoke on the government’s plans for alternative sources of generating power and securing government installations.
”There will be a time when we can not rely on gas solely. We think that methods, planning and coordination will take us to the society we want to live in.
”As far as security is concerned, there is a new wave of global criminality going on. The existing security machinery put in place after the second world war takes care of conventional warfare. It’s a new global learning curve for everybody,” Fashola said.
Addressing insinuations that he might be overwhelmed by managing three key ministries in the Buhari administration, Fashola compared the ministries to the Lagos state government suggesting it is not a big deal.
His words: ”I managed over 30 ministries and 57 parastatals in Lagos, difference now is I have a new team. We are learning each other”
“It’s like playing football with a new team. I am not overwhelmed however, I have competent advisers and staff.”
READ ALSO: President Buhari under intense pressure to sack ministers, aides over lack of performance
Meanwhile, the federal government of Nigeria has begun an investigation into the possibility that some foreign nations may be backing Niger Delta Avengers.
The intelligence arm of the military and other security agencies were said to have launched an investigation into the source of supply of the sophisticated arms at the disposal of the militant group.
