Power Minister seeks ICPC collaboration to tackle corruption, improve electricity supply

By Onu Okorie

Minister of Power, Olasunkani Tegbe, has called for stronger collaboration between the Federal Ministry of Power and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission ICPC to tackle corruption and other challenges hindering improved electricity supply in Nigeria.

Tegbe made the call during a courtesy visit to the ICPC headquarters in Abuja on July 13, where he led top management officials of the ministry to discuss critical issues affecting the nation’s power sector.

The minister assured Nigerians that the Federal Government was working to ensure noticeable improvements in electricity supply before the end of the year, stressing that access to reliable electricity remains a priority because it affects every citizen.

He noted that while electricity could no longer be provided free of charge, the government would ensure that vulnerable groups were protected to guarantee equitable access to power.

According to him, the ICPC is one of the key institutions the ministry is engaging, alongside security agencies, to strengthen transparency, accountability and good governance in the sector.

“We look forward to forging a sustainable and long-term relationship with the Commission,” Tegbe said.

The minister disclosed that about 30 per cent of the challenges facing the power sector are linked to vandalism of electricity infrastructure, underscoring the need for ICPC’s institutional support in addressing corruption and enforcing accountability.

He also revealed that Nigeria had recorded measurable progress in electricity generation, with output now exceeding 5,000 megawatts, expressing optimism that collaboration with the anti-corruption agency would help sustain and expand the gains.

Responding on behalf of ICPC Chairman, Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, the Commission’s Secretary, Mr. Clifford Okwudili Oparaodu, commended the ministry for recognising the commission as a strategic partner in efforts to reposition the country’s power sector.

Oparaodu acknowledged the longstanding electricity challenges confronting Nigeria but expressed confidence that improved power supply would drive industrialisation, create jobs and boost economic growth.

He reaffirmed ICPC’s commitment to its core mandates of enforcement, corruption prevention and public education, assuring that contractors and other stakeholders entrusted with public resources would be held accountable.

According to him, the commission would ensure that contractors handling government funds do not defraud the government through its enforcement mechanisms.

Oparaodu also advised the Ministry of Power to intensify public sensitisation campaigns on the dangers of vandalising electricity infrastructure, noting that such acts undermine national development and ultimately affect all Nigerians.