Vice-President Kashim Shettima has officially inaugurated Ad Hoc Committees of the National Economic Council (NEC) focused on National Electrification and Polio Eradication.
During the inauguration ceremony at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, Shettima emphasized that Nigeria’s aspirations for meaningful economic growth hinge on resolving the persistent challenges within the power sector.
He called on the nation’s leaders to set aside their differences and unite in addressing the energy crisis, which is crucial for Nigeria’s transformation into an industrialized nation. Shettima drew parallels with other nations facing energy shortages, such as Indonesia, India, South Africa, and Uganda, noting that they have largely overcome their energy insufficiency issues.
“It is clear that without tackling the power sector effectively, we cannot envision genuine national economic growth or ensure that Nigerians have access to reliable, available, and affordable energy,” he remarked.
Shettima acknowledged the fundamental issues plaguing the nation’s power infrastructure, particularly the national grid, which has suffered from frequent failures. However, he expressed optimism about improvements stemming from recent reforms in the energy sector, which have opened the door to new participants and investment opportunities—both domestic and international.
“I believe we possess abundant resources, including gas, hydro, and solar, that can create a balanced energy mix and enable us to build a resilient power sector that guarantees energy security for all Nigerians,” he stated.
The Vice-President urged members of the National Electrification Committee to actively engage in their responsibilities for the benefit of the nation.
In addition, he called upon the Polio Eradication Committee and relevant stakeholders to intensify efforts to combat the resurgence of polio in Nigeria.
“If we have relied heavily on external assistance to mitigate the impacts of this disease, now is the time to take decisive action towards its eradication,” Shettima affirmed. “I am confident that through collective and collaborative efforts with partners and stakeholders, we can achieve this goal.”
He stressed the importance of long-term strategies in the fight against polio, discouraging short-term fixes. The Vice-President advocated for local production of polio vaccines as part of a comprehensive plan to contain the virus, which continues to mutate and reappear in new forms, as seen in recent outbreaks in Kano and Sokoto.
In response, Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River State, who chairs the NEC ad hoc committee on national electrification, stated that the committee is tasked with addressing the troubling history of frequent grid failures in the country.
“Our primary objective is to end the persistent grid collapses in the energy sector and enhance engagement with states under the Electricity Reform Act 2023,” he explained. “We aim to tackle the challenges in the power sector to meet the expectations of Nigerians and align with the National Electrification Strategy and Implementation Plan.”
Otu acknowledged the daunting nature of the tasks ahead but expressed confidence in the committee’s collective commitment to the Renewed Hope Agenda of the President and the overarching goals of nation-building.
