Not a few Nigerians have lamented the announcement, on Thursday, by the Minister of Power Adebayo Adelabu to the effect that N8 billion has been included in the 2025 budget to campaigns and advocacy against persistent vandalisation of power infrastructure in the country.
The minister while addressing the problems of power outages in the country, today said the federal government was committed to delivering stable power supply in the country, despite the challenges posed by those destroying electricity infrastructure.
Adelabu’s remark was contained in a statement by his media aide, Bolaji Tunji, who said the funds will be used for education, enlightenment and education of citizens across the mation’s 774 Local government areas, on why they must protect the infrastructure.
The decision to spend such humungous funds, on advocacy appears not to go down well with some Nigerians who told the magazine that the government has become reckless in the manner the resources of the country is being managed.
According to Adelabu, who has been vehemently criticised by not a few Nigerians over the unstable power supply in the country, said the advocacy will try to educate Nigerians that power infrastructure across the country belong to them, and should not be destroyed.
Adelabu said the huge amount has been earmarked for advocacy against vandalism, education, enlightenment, and deploying technology to safeguard power infrastructure – not for sensitising citizens to pay electricity bills.
The minister said, “Our advocacy will include town hall meetings, engagement with community leaders and stakeholders, and the use of various media platforms—radio, television, newspapers, social media, and billboards.
“The goal is to educate Nigerians on the implications of vandalism and encourage them to see power infrastructure as community assets,” the minister said.
Meanwhile, those who spoke on the issue said the amount was to huge to be spent on such item, wondering why the administration has become so extravagant when it comes to public spending.
Some are also wondering whether the country’s currency, Naira has become so ‘worthless’ that billions of naira no longer means anything to those in power.
Others said what the federal government needs to do is, order the security agencies to double their efforts in dealing with infrastructure saboteurs.
“What are we doing with the billions allocated to security agencies on the yearly basis, if they cannot translate this to performance to deal with criminals? We cannot be throwing money at everything,” Bolaji Esan said.
Another respondent, said “it sound very insensitive that the government is behaving like the proverbial ‘prodigal son’ when the rest of the citizens are suffering. Do you know how many schools N8 billion will build in a country where many school children are sitting on the floor to learn?
The tenure of Adelabu, since he was appointed Minister of Power by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has been marked by power outages, national grid collapse amongst other problems.
Despite his many promises, the country is still very far from achieving 6000 megawatt electricity, his critics said.
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