Electricity: ‘Our Freezers Now Freezing’ — Power Minister Says Nigerians Begging Him to Slow Down

The Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, says some Nigerians have asked him to slow down efforts to improve electricity supply because their freezers are now working continuously.

Tegbe made the remark on Wednesday in Abuja while commissioning a three-megawatt solar hybrid power project at Yakubu Gowon University, formerly the University of Abuja.

The minister said he had received feedback from electricity consumers following improvements in power supply in some parts of the country.

According to Tegbe, communities that previously spent months without electricity were now receiving up to 18 hours of supply.

He said some residents had contacted him to complain humorously that better electricity supply meant their freezers were now constantly freezing.

“Places that didn’t have light at all for three months are now having 18 hours light. Some areas called me to say, look, I should slow down, that everything in their freezer is freezing,” he said.

Tegbe added that keeping food frozen was, in fact, purpose of a freezer, encouraging Nigerians to make use of the better electricity supply.

The minister recalled that during his Senate screening, he promised Nigerians would begin to notice improvements in electricity supply within three to six months.

He, however, acknowledged that electricity facilities are more than 40 years old.

Tegbe said the Federal Government was systematically replacing ageing infrastructure and introducing new facilities to strengthen electricity supply.

He also expressed concern over the vandalism of electricity infrastructure, disclosing that three towers in Birnin Kebbi had recently been brought down by vandals.

According to the minister, the attackers targeted the foundations of the towers and cut parts of the structures for sale as scrap.

He said the government had established a joint committee involving the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Nigeria Police and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps to protect critical electricity assets.

The committee, he explained, would coordinate efforts to prevent vandalism and ensure those responsible face the law.

Tegbe urged Nigerians to protect electricity infrastructure, stressing that improved power supply could only be sustained when transmission and distribution facilities were protected.

He said the government would continue working to improve electricity access and address challenges affecting electricity sector.