NEBO APPLAUDS DEVELOPMENT PARTNERS FOR ACTIVE ROLE IN PRIVATIZATION Minister of Power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo has commended the contributions of donor agencies in the on-going privatization of the sector, just as he said that the exercise would have experienced more hiccups, but for the expertise, foresight and doggedness of these partners. The Minister spoke today when the Donor Coordinating Group, led by the UNIDO Representative, Dr. Patrick Kormawa, paid him a courtesy call in his office in Abuja. He described as critical the advice and support provided to all the arms of the power sector – regulatory, policy, executive, and technical, among others, to ensure a seamless privatization exercise. The Minister who stated that government had achieved 90% success in the payment of workers’ severance packages and pension revealed that a total of 40,093 workers have already received their pay with an additional 5,000 needing to be revalidated, adding that the intention of Government is to ensure that there will be no further delay in the proposed formal physical handover of power assets to private owners. While calling for more collaboration from the International partners, he said their assistance in ensuring access to cheap fund for expansion of their capacities is urgently required. The Minister said that Government cannot fold its arm and watch unpatriotic individuals derail the process in transition, but will rather do all within its power to ensure that the objective of privatization is sustained. Earlier, the UNIDO Representative, Dr. Patrick Kormawa, said that the group which has the Minster of Power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo as its Chairman, is focused on providing support for the sector. While throwing more light on the activities of the group, he stated that it is a platform for government and the donor groups to share knowledge, expertise and information on happenings in the power sector.
Posted on: Mon, 28 Oct 2013 17:15:06 +0000