Capacity building useful in tackling post-privatisation challenges – Wakil

ABUJA (Federal Ministry of Power Report) – The Minister of State for Power, Mohammed Wakil has expressed need for capacity building as a way of effectively harnessing the gains of the on-going privatisation exercise in the sector, saying the power sector is largely driven by technical expertise and skills.

Mohammed Wakil further observed that training is key in the acquisition of proficiency which must be available as  Nigeria nation expects to get uninterrupted power supply. He indicated that trained manpower will enable the sector to remain on track in the quest to deliver on Mr. President’s Transformation Agenda for the power sector.

He expressed the determination of President Goodluck Jonathan to provide the legislative framework, institutional capacity and political will to create enabling environments for would-be investors to come into the sector. Mohammed Wakil, while speaking to  a delegation from the African Development Bank Group (AfDB) led by a top Economist, Barbara Barungi stated that the Government after successfully privatizing its generation and distribution companies is billed to focus on the formulation of policies and oversight functions since the assets are now in the hands of private companies.

“Government is aware of the enormity of privatization, especially as it was done in a single swoop. Hence, it has provided a safe net to absorb the shock through various capacity-building initiatives like effective communication, data management and Information Technology which would assist in tracking the sector’s activities, among others,” he said.

Speaking on renewable energy source, the Minister of State averred that more than ever before, the Government is poised to address the current imbalance in the energy mix in the country. Adding, it has now become a cardinal objective of Government to reduce the seeming over-dependence on the national grid. He described it as over-centralised and incapable of addressing the energy needs of rural folks in far-flung communities.

Wakil intensified that Government will reposition its Rural Electrification Agency (REA) for service delivery, promising it will ensure that the REA performs optimally. He also called on development partners and donor agencies to come on board as the power sector is now cruising like a fast moving train.

Also speaking at the event, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Power,  Godknows Igali said that success in the post-privatization power sector is solely dependent on the ability of the sector to get it right with capacity building. While pointing out Government’s priorities for the sector, Igali noted that there are areas of need for which the African Development Bank’s Intervention Fund could be channeled to include transmission, expansion, Operation Light up Rural Nigeria and capacity building.
Godknows Igali added that although Nigeria has accessed part of the facility given to it by the bank because of the stringent conditions, the remaining part could not be utilized and the   AfDB needs to step-down on some of the conditions.

Earlier in his address, the leader of the AfDB delegation, Babara Barungi described Nigeria’s power privatization exercise as a global comprehensive power reform for which the bank is proud to be associated with. He expressed surprise that since the handling of the power assets to private owners, there has been tremendous interest shown by investors from around the world.

According to her, the bank’s interest in developing working models using the platform of Private Public Partnership (PPP) is very urgent. He also stressed that the bank will further support other bankable initiatives in the sector