Govt. Unveils New Power Sector Roadmap

Govt. Unveils New Power Sector Roadmap

Acheme Jack, Lagos

A new plan to enhance power supply in Nigeria has been launched in Lagos, on Thursday by Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan.

As part of the new power sector roadmap, government announced a plan to dissolve the state power monopoly and expand electricity generation through private investment.

President Jonathan said at the ceremony, that the government will hands-off electricity generation and concentrate on power transmission while the private sector will have the responsibility for electricity generation.

Tariff review to be phased

The President said existing tariffs will be reviewed, taking into cognizance competitiveness and in a manner the private investments will generate profits, for sustainability and greater investments. He said this was necessary for gradual expansion of the country's power generating base and adequate electricity supply across Nigeria in the long term.

The President however said the tariff review would be done gradually for consumers not to be adversely affected.

Exploring more energy sources

As part of the plan, energy sources will be diversified to include coal. The large deposits in Enugu, southeastern, Gombe and Borno in the North, are to be harnessed for power generation.

He said the National Independent Power Projects would be contributing 5000 Megawatt of power and would be combined with the 35 kva line of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria to improve supply in the next three years.

He also said the transmission of a 700 kva line network across eight states in Nigeria, will commence next week.

President Jonathan said the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC, is being repositioned to meet the needs of the roadmap.

In this regard, a committee to oversee the new regulations is being constituted. The nominees will be forwarded to the National Assembly next week for approval.

The much awaited roadmap seeks to ensure that problems in the power sector are finally resolved after the government's target of achieving 4000 megawatt electricity generation by December 2009 was not realised.

As part of President Jonathan's official visit to Lagos state, he commissioned an ultra modern can manufacturing plant in Agbara, a business district bordering Ogun state.

Williams/Yinka