Nigeria’s new Minister for Power, Engr Abubakar Aliyu, has unveiled the action plans designed by the country’s ministry to address the daunting challenges hindering the effective performance of the sector and achieve stable and uninterrupted power for the people.
According to a media report, Eng. Abubakar Aliyu, in a statement he issued to mark his first 50 days in office titled: ‘Our Reform Agenda for the Power Sector, said he was very upbeat about the future of the Nigerian power sector and expressed strong hope that the sector would soon witness a turnaround.
The Minister summarised the sector’s challenges under two headings: service quality and illiquidity and explained that the focus is on improving the service, creating liquidity as well as promoting competition in the sector, adding that new policies have been initiated to achieve that.
The new policies, according to him, include: accelerating the progress and completion of key projects of the Ministry and its partners, especially such as the Kashimbilla 40MW power station,Zungeru Hydroelectric Power Project, and several others around the country; systematic implementation of the Presidential Power Initiative (PPI) of this administration; reinvigorating important policies and regulations, especially the Eligible Customer and related regulations; strengthening the regulator to ensure that all sector players and stakeholders work according to the rules and guidelines especially in dealing with customers, etc.
The Minister said, “Against the backdrop of the reality that the delivery of electric power is a multi-sectoral undertaking, specific areas of conflict and tensions within the power industry value chain are being harmonised for greater synergy which will bring about a wholesome alignment of responsibilities within the governance system of the power sector. It is this new mindset of cooperation for optimal performance that we are bringing on board.
“So far, I am happy to inform you that everyone is in alignment with this mentality. There are ongoing conversations within the power value chain. Stakeholders are talking and cooperating and in so doing, bridging the observed disconnect within the sector.
“It must be clearly stated that within this value chain, some responsibilities are by the EPSRA performed by our private sector partners and other agencies of Government. These partners are being more closely monitored and sometimes given the needed nudge in the right direction to achieve our objectives.
“We are determined to deal with some policy issues, the legal and regulatory bottlenecks, and the human factors involved in the implementation and coordination of the power sector’s road map. Though a work in progress, let me assure you that the viability of the sector is not in doubt. As much as it is a capital-intensive sector and currently in need of a massive injection of fresh capital, we are making steady progress.”
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Source: https://energynewsafrica.com