The Tinubu Media Support Group (TMSG) has dismissed comments by former senator Dino Melaye criticizing the Federal Government’s decision to power the Presidential Villa with solar energy, describing his claims as “frivolous, uneducated and uninformed.”
In a statement signed by its Chairman, Emeka Nwankpa, and Secretary, Dapo Okubanjo, the group argued that the Aso Rock solar project is a cost-saving initiative designed to reduce the huge annual electricity expenditure of the State House rather than an indication that the administration has abandoned efforts to improve Nigeria’s power sector.
According to TMSG, officials had disclosed during budget defence sessions that the Presidential Villa’s annual electricity bill had risen to about N47 billion, excluding the cost of diesel and maintenance of generators. It noted that the State House Permanent Secretary, Temitope Fashola, had informed lawmakers that the proposed N17 billion solar project would eliminate the need to replace ageing power-generating equipment while significantly reducing recurrent energy costs.
The group also pointed out that the State House Clinic has reportedly operated independently of the national grid since May last year through a solar-powered system, describing it as evidence of the government’s commitment to cost-effective energy solutions.
TMSG maintained that electricity previously allocated to the Presidential Villa would now remain on the national grid for use by residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), adding that the solar project should be viewed as a prudent financial decision rather than a political issue.
Responding to Melaye’s assertion that the Tinubu administration had given up on improving electricity supply, the group insisted that the government remains committed to reforming the sector. It cited ongoing implementation of the Presidential Power Initiative (PPI), also known as the Siemens Power Project, efforts to decentralise electricity generation through legislative reforms, settlement of legacy debts owed to electricity generation companies (GENCOs), and the rollout of millions of smart meters to address estimated billing.
The group further argued that the solar initiative aligns with Nigeria’s commitment to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2060 and forms part of the National Public Sector Solarisation Initiative aimed at providing cleaner energy to government institutions.
TMSG urged the former senator to refrain from what it described as misleading public commentary and instead seek better understanding of the issues before making public statements, stressing that his remarks did not reflect the realities of the government’s ongoing reforms in the power sector.
