Citing funding
constraints to continue shouldering its operational expenses, the Federal
Government may have concluded plans to privatise the Transmission Company of
Nigeria (TCN).
Minister for Power,
Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola, stated this at the ongoing West
Africa Power Industry Convention (WAPIC), which opened in Lagos yesterday.
Fashola, who was
represented by the Acting Chairman and
CEO, Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Mr. Anthony Akah, added
that government would involve the private sector to drive the transmission arm
of the power sector value chain.
‘‘Our action is
being driven by non-availability of funds to drive development in the power
sector. The government can no longer handle funding of the power sector alone.
That is why we are now looking towards involving private sector in transmission
because this will help in raising fund for the sector,” he said.
Fashola equally
alluded to the current lopsided structure of the power mix, lamenting that
about 80 per cent of power being generated is from gas, stressing that the
trend would be reversed through the use of other cleaner energy in order to
bridge the gap in electricity supply in the country.
Meanwhile, hopes of
steady electricity supply brightened further yesterday as the TCN, yesterday,
took delivery of 218 stranded electricity equipment, which had been lying idle
at the Apapa ports for over eight years.
Receiving the
consignment at the Duncan Terminal in Apapa, Fashola said the equipment would
go a long way in addressing the challenge of epileptic power supply. He said
that 77 containers were cleared from Duncan Terminal, while 114 containers will
be cleared from other terminals. He said the move was part of the Federal
Government’s effort at ensuring that all stranded electricity equipment at the
ports get accelerated clearance and waiver to cushion the effect of erratic
power supply in the country.
He explained that
the management of TCN will ensure that the consignments are moved immediately
to sites for commencement of pending works.
‘‘The President, as part of efforts to give
Nigerians stable power supply, has approved the disbursement of fund for the
clearing of stranded containers containing power equipment and materials at
various terminals so as to improve power delivery to every Nigerian.
‘‘I equally want to appreciate the effort of the Vice
President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, for his support towards the actualisation of
the clearing of the stranded containers.
“A lot of hard work
has gone into negotiation for the release of these power equipment due to the
accrued demurrage as a result of the suspension of the issuance of import duty
exemption certificate for some period in 2014,’’ he said.
The Minister said it
is expected that the shipping companies and terminal operators will be
supportive of this administration and cooperate with the Ministry of Power in
its effort to move other power equipment at their various terminals to project
sites.
In his remarks, Mr.
Godfrey Shitguru, CEO, Duncan Terminal, assured total commitment to the Federal
Government’s cause in ensuring that all stranded power equipment are delivered
to site.
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