Break the cycle of underperformance in power sector, Abbas tells Tinubu

Tajudeen Abbas, speaker of the house of representatives, has asked President Bola Tinubu to end the rot in the power sector.

Speaking on Thursday during the joint sitting of the national assembly attended by Tinubu, Abbas said the president demonstrated “remarkable resolve” by removing the petrol subsidy and floating the naira.

Abbas told the president to apply the same determination in the power sector to end the “cycle of underperformance”.

“Now, we require an equally decisive intervention in our power sector. While progress is evident, it is time to wave your magic wand once more,” Abbas said.

“Break the cycle of underperformance by shifting from an over-reliance on thermal and hydroelectricity to a diversified energy mix.”

He said the nation must embrace renewable and clean energy sources, such as solar, wind, and evennuclear, to ensure a reliable and sustainable national grid.

“If anyone can do this, Mr. president, it is you,” Abbas said.

He also urged Tinubu to transform the solid minerals sector, which is essential for Nigeria’s economic diversification.

Abbas said while Nigeria has some existing geological data, it lacks the precision and quality needed to support large-scale exploration.

He said to complement the effort of the executive, the green chamber will immediately commence an urgent review of the 2007 Mining Act to allow subnational entities to operate within the “profitable limits”.

“If pursued with discipline and clarity, these reforms will position solid minerals as a strategic pillar of our national economy,” he said.

‘2,263 BILLS CONSIDERED IN TWO YEARS’

Abbas said within two years, the house reviewed 2,263 bills out of which 65.3 percent have scaled second reading, while 186 have been successfully passed.

He said a total of 51 bills have received presidential assent, marking an “unprecedented milestone” for any president in his first two years.

Abbas said the parliament’s legislative efforts have yielded “measurable progress” on multiple fronts.

He said the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria Act, 2023, signed by the president, has set Nigeria on the path to self-reliance in arms production and logistics.

Abbas noted that the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons Act 2024 has tightened regulatory loopholes in arms control.

“It is expected to significantly reduce the illicit circulation of small arms and light weapons,” he said.

The speaker said on the economy, the lower legislative chamber supported the removal of subsidies and the unification of foreign exchange windows.

“We courageously passed legislation targeted at tax reforms. Cumulatively, these actions, along with the bold decisions of the president, are boosting investor confidence, increasing federal revenue, and augmenting state allocations,” he said.

The speaker said through legislative measures, the parliament has supported and accelerated the Tinubu’s “infrastructure revolution”.

Abbas asked governors and state assemblies to support the ongoing constitutional amendment process, especially gender reforms.