Power Minister lauds development partners’ role in privatisation

[The InfoStrides]

The Minister of Power, Chinedu Nebo has applauded the offerings of donor agencies to the on-going privatisation in the power sector, indicating that their expertise, foresight and doggedness prevented the hiccups which would have been experienced in the exercise.

The Minister made this remark on Monday October 28, 2013 when the Donor Coordinating Group, led by the UNIDO Representative, Patrick Kormawa paid him a courtesy call in his office in Abuja. He described as critical the advice and support provided to all arms of the power sector, involving regulatory, policy, executive and technical measures towards ensuring a seamless privatisation implementation.

Chinedu Nebo stated that Government has achieved 90% success in the payment of workers' severance packages and pension. He also noted that a total of 40,093 workers have already received their pay with an additional 5,000 needing to be revalidated. According to him, the intention of Government is to ensure that there is no further delay in the proposed formal physical handover of power assets to private owners. 

While calling for more collaboration from international partners, he added that their assistance in ensuring access to cheap funds for expansion of their capacities is urgently required. Nebo explained that Government would not be aloof to unpatriotic citizens' efforts to derail the process of power transition; stating it will do all in its power to sustain the privatisation objective.

Earlier in his speech, the UNIDO Representative to the occasion, Patrick Kormawa said that the group which is chaired by the Minster of Power, Chinedu Nebo is focused on providing support to the sector. He revealed on the activities of the group that it provides the platform for Government and the donor groups to share knowledge, expertise and information on happenings in the power sector.

 

Source: Power Minister lauds development partners' role in privatisation