Engr Pelumi Adeleke Opadoyin It would be appreciated if the Independent Advocate could please help find out from the office of the Minister of Power if it is true that investors in power firms can take over the Power Holding Company of Nigeria now as earlier promised by the minister. Nigerians have been hearing different information about the handing over of the PHCN to the investors, and many dates have been pronounced by different companies and ministries, that Nigerians are confused and do not know who to believe in this aspect. I have been following this matter very closely, but at a time, I lost confidence in all the media in this country, both Radio, Television, and the Newspapers, because of the changes in dates and times of handing over. Recently, it was rumored that the PHCN has finally been taken over by the investors but how far is this true? I still see PHCN officials carrying ladders in my area as well as many others, so what is really happening in the power sector? Is the Federal Government finding it difficult to break the monopoly in the energy sector? Is the PHCN finally privatised? To date, nothing is being done to rectify the supply of electricity in the states. Rather, they are planning to increase the tariff. I believe and trust the Independent Advocate for its investigative prowess and I know that the truth will prevail now. Mr. Kenneth Akobano 112 Ilesanmi Street Alaba Rago, Lagos State The complaint/enquiry of Mr. Akobano was tabled before a top official of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) office Abuja, from where an official told the Independent Advocate that the Federal Government on Thursday August 22 2013, said the preferred bidders for the power generation and destitution companies who met the deadline for the payment of the 75 percent balance of their bid prices could not take over the companies.” The official who craved anonymity further revealed, “Actually, the Minister of Power Professor Chinedu Nebo said the government had recorded substantial compliance in payment by the preferred bidders.” Investigation revealed that all bidders had paid up, except for the Enugu Distribution Company. According to the official, the Minister made it clear that the completion of payment now entitles the preferred bidders to take full possession of the 15 PHCN unbundled entities, which include 10 distribution companies and five generation companies It was also revealed that government would soon formally declare the Transition Electricity Market to enable the investors to commence business in earnest and further drive the process. According to the official, Professor Nebo reassured electricity consumers and investors of the government’s resolve to pursue the reform process to the end, stressing that the emerging transition market would be meticulously monitored to protect the interest of Nigerians and the investors. The stability of the national grid is being enhanced to ensure an effective transmission of the power being generated in the new dispensation, said the official. Concluding however, the official said, “Efforts were also on to provide more electricity off-grid, especially for rural areas, and noted that subsidy for low income electricity consumers in the tariff structure would be sustained. “I believe the above information has answered your enquiry/complaint the official said.
Posted on: Thu, 14 Nov 2013 19:17:23 +0000
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