ABUJA (Federal Ministry of Power Report) – The Minister of Power, Chinedu Nebo has stated that the Bi-national Conference scheduled for October 2014 in Berlin, Germany will be a platform for strengthening the co-operation between Nigeria and Germany; indicating that the up-coming event will examine and review existing the MoUs and agreements, in order to make them workable.
The Minister revealed this when he received the newly posted Ambassador of Germany to Nigeria, Michael Zenner during his working visit to the Ministry’s Headquarters in Abuja on assumption of duty. He also acknowledged the enormous work done in the area of co-operation and assistance towards enabling Nigeria to harness its vast potentials, especially in the area of solar power where a number of German companies have been involved. He also noted that Nigeria stands to benefit highly, specifically in renewable energy like solar where Germany has a lot of investments. Adding, German companies have been playing vital roles on investing in Nigerian’s power sector.
According to him, GIZ in conjunction with the European Union (EU) is working assiduously to provide solar power to seven Nigerian universities across the country with a pilot study in the University of Ibadan. The Power Minister said that Nigeria has over the years benefitted immensely from relations with Germany. He disclosed that Nigeria is poised to leverage on this mutually beneficial relationship, especially in Renewable Energy which Germany has got a lot of investment.
While acknowledging the prime role Germans have been playing in Nigeria’s power sector, the Minister said that the German Agency for International Corporation (GIZ) in conjunction with the European Union (EU) is working assiduously to provide seven solar powered electricity projects located in identified universities in Nigeria. “The pilot scheme at the University of Ibadan has proved to be successful as these universities will create the required conducive environment for studies and research exercises,” he said.
“GIZ as a veritable partner in the transformation agenda of the power sector in Nigeria has supported the nation’s privatization efforts from beginning to this present day. The proposed conference will pursue with vigour a lot of investments on renewable energy sources like wind, solar and biomass as well as discuss on issues around gas supply to thermal plants.”
Speaking earlier, the new Ambassador of Germany to Nigeria, Michael Zenner said that his visit to the Ministry was part of his familiarization tour, stressing that the sector is a very important component of the transformation efforts on Government’s key economic sectors which is underpinned by the privatization of the power sector.
Michael Zenner explained that the Bi-national Conference between Nigeria and Germany will focus on energy and urged the Ministry to participate fully in the conference. He also stated that Germany has reached advanced stage on solar energy issues, saying Nigeria can tap from its experience to fast track the nation’s quest for access expansion.
The German Ambassador promised to facilitate the coming of more German companies towards investing in Nigeria’s power sector and emphasized that they need to be guaranteed the safety of their investment and the ability to recoup returns on their investments as these are vital in their decisions to invest in Nigeria.
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