By Abimbola Ogunnaike
Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo, has revealed why his ministry would bypass the electricity distribution company on electricity supply to the country’s airports over rising electricity bills.
Keyamo stated this Monday, 27 May, 2024 during the ministerial press briefing in Abuja to mark President Bola Tinubu’s first year in office, noting that the government pays N1 billion electricity bill at Lagos airport alone.
The Minister, who said the government was considering N600 million solar energy investment to go off the National grid for electricity supply, added that government would save 30 per cent of the funds paid to disco with solar energy.
“We want to run our airports with solar power, which will save us so much money every month. I was told we pay N1 billion monthly at Lagos airport alone and asked why.
“The first thing I said they should do is bypass the Discos and go to the Gencos because we are eligible customers.
“Why do you pay a Disco that will add profit when you are an eligible customer? Cut them off and go straight to the Gencos.
“We are doing that, and they are protesting up and down to meet the President. By doing that, we are saving 30 per cent.
“When we are supposed to pay N1 billion, we will pay N600 million,” the Minister stated.
