From Ayodele Samuel, Lagos
Lagos State Governor , Babatunde Fashola yesterday urged Nigerians not to take excuses from the federal government any longer over its inability to provide electricity supply to the country.
Fashola, who said this at the commissioning of the mainland Independent Power Project located in Ikeja area of the state, added that the state would have power sufficient if they were backed by appropriate legislation in to generate, transmit and distribute electricity.
“We have heard all sorts of promises about power from our national government as if it is something that was just newly discovered. But electricity is over a century old. It is old invention, so no excuses should be acceptable.
“What we have dared to demonstrate in Lagos is that within the realm of the law, where you allow us to operate we will show that it is possible to provide electricity. So if the National Assembly wakes up tomorrow and say every state should take responsibility for the generation, transmitting and distributing its own electricity Lagos State will do so properly”, Fashola said.
“So let nobody come and tell us that there is no gas; that something has happened. Is the gas from overseas? “
Fashola urged Lagosians to learn how to conserve energy, saying the people must be prepared for electricity consumed when appropriately priced.
Earlier, the state Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources Engineer, Taofeek Tijjani said the 8.8 mw Mainland Independent Power Plant will guarantee uninterrupted power supply to old Lagos Secretariat Complex, Lagos High Court, LASUTH, water Work Energy academy and public lighting.
He said the power plant is the fourth power plant commissioned by the Lagos State Government under the Fashola led administration.
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