‘Freezers Are Freezing’: CLO Blasts Power Minister’s Claim As ‘Greatest Lie Of Century’

The North Central Zonal Coordinator of the Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO), Mr Steve Aluko, has described the statement attributed to the Minister of Power, Chief Joseph Olasunkanmi Tegbe, that Nigerians are asking him to slow down electricity supply because “freezers are freezing,” as one of the “greatest lies and deception of the century.”

Aluko stated this in an exclusive interview with LEADERSHIP in Jos, the Plateau State capital.

He said he disagreed with the minister’s claim and challenged him to disclose the percentage of Nigerians who had allegedly asked him to slow down electricity supply.

“The general public deserves to know the average percentage of Nigerians telling him to slow down on electricity supply, what is the cost and how consistent is it. This is the greatest lies and deception of the century,” Aluko said.

The CLO coordinator warned public office holders against taking credit for achievements they had not made, saying they should allow Nigerians to assess their performance.

“I know how many LGAs and states that are perpetually in darkness. The Minister of Power is not telling Nigerians the truth. Of course, Nigerians know the truth better than him.

“It will be in his best interest and the government to stop ascribing to themselves what they did not earn,” he said.

Aluko said the priority should be to ensure that Nigerians have stable electricity at affordable and cost-effective rates.

He said electricity supply should not be provided at what he described as “exorbitant and over-taxing rates” while the minister celebrates the development.

The CLO coordinator also alleged that electricity meters in Jos were being reallocated from customers who had defaulted on payments and accumulated debts to new customers without their knowledge.

He said such practices should not be celebrated, stressing the need for greater openness, accountability and transparency in the power sector.

“There is a need for openness, accountability and transparency in the power sector. If that sector works, Nigeria will be great again,” he said.

Aluko further said many Nigerians and small-scale business operators continued to complain about inadequate and unstable electricity supply, which he linked to the closure of some businesses.

He disclosed that many offices of the Jos Electricity Distribution Company rely on generators and other sources of energy rather than electricity.