FG Asks Buhari Not to Reverse Privatisation of Power Sector

FEC approves National Policy on Renewable Energy and Efficiency

The Minister of Power, Chinedu Nebo, yesterday charged the incoming administration of Muhammadu Buhari not to reverse the power privatisation policy of the President Goodluck Jonathan administration.

The minister spoke against the backdrop of the perception that Buhari’s administration might reverse the power privatisation policy, said it would be counterproductive with attendant grave consequences.

On the current poor power supply in the country, Nebo said some groups of Nigerians were frustrating the government’s effort at making power available.

He stated that government had the capacity to provide 5,500 mega watt of electricity, but this has been hampered by the activities of vandals who destroy gas pipelines to frustrate government’s efforts at making power available.

“On the privatisation, I think the incoming government will be ill-advised to reverse the privatisation and liberalisation of power generation, transmission and distribution because any attempt to do that would be to set Nigeria backward many, many decades.

“The gains of privatisation are very obvious. If we can solve the problem of gas, then we are talking about the energy mix, we are not just going for gas we are also doing hydros.

“It was this same administration that flagged off the 750mw Zungeru hydro power plant and the 3,050mw Mambilla hydro plant. Also, Shiroro dawn has been improved and revamped, while Kanji and Jebba have been also revamped and improved.

“So there is a lot of work being done by the government; however, to turn back on privatisation would mean stopping all of these companies and then reversing the massive inflow of investments coming into the power sector.

“Nigeria’s power consumption per capita is one of the lowest in the world and that is part of the efforts of government to reverse that. So I don’t think it is in the best interest of the country,” Nebo said.

On what has happened to vandals, he added that: “I stand on good authority to say that a lot of people have been jailed but little noise is being made about it.

“People are being arrested, some even said how much they were paid to vandalise the gas pipeline for nothing.

“Has armed robbery stopped in Nigeria in spite of all the executions? Look at what happened to many kidnappers and yet they are still kidnapping.

“There is a lot that need to be done but I do hope that as our people get more educated and patriotic, all these things will be behind us,” Nebo said.

Meanwhile, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) yesterday approved the draft national policy on renewable energy and energy efficiency for Nigeria.

This was disclosed by the Information Minister, Mrs. Patricia Akwashiki, while briefing State House correspondents on the outcome of the weekly FEC meeting.

She said: “The Minister of Power tabled a memorandum to seek council’s approval for the draft national policy on renewable energy and energy efficiency for Nigeria.

“The overall policy objective is to increase access using renewable energy mix, create new business opportunities and new jobs, support global efforts towards green economies and address climate change problems.

“In addition, the policy will also promote and encourage efficient use of energy and energy conservation in Nigeria.

“After due consideration, council approved the draft National Policy on Renewable Energy and Efficiency (NPREEE) for Nigeria.”