Experts in the nation’s energy sector have urged government
to put into consideration electricity needs of rural communities in the ongoing
privatisation of electricity distribution in the country.

Specifically, the immediate past Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission NERC, Prof.
Ransome Owan, warned that the ongoing privatisation of electricity distribution
in the country may remain a mirage if adequate provision is not made to address
the apprehension of rural communities in the new power distribution model.

According to him, the preferred bidders are more likely to
be inclined to focus on the urban centres where there is propensity for
achieving high returns on investment at the detriment of the rural dwellers.

He warned that this is no time for experiment as electricity
supply under the new model could be a security issue if left in the hands of
inexperienced operators with technical comprehensions that do not reflect the
reality of the peculiarity of the environment.

“To take electricity to the rural and semi-urban communities
however, there is need for the state governments across the country to take
more than mere passing interest in the new electricity distribution model in
the overall best interest of the people of their respective states”, he said.

Also, Managing Director, Bayelsa Electricity Commission and
Special Adviser to the Bayelsa State Governor on Power Sector, Olice
Kekenanamo, noted that current inefficiencies in the power sector have brought
about great expectation that the new entrants will address the identified
shortcomings and make electricity consumers smile again based on the following
criteria of size of utility experience and experience in rural and urban areas;
and the need for the state government’s participation.

Kemenanabo, noted that state governments have to be
stakeholders in the acquisition process, so as to get power to the rural areas
seamlessly and tackle Right Of Way (ROW) issues and community leaders’ demands,
stressing that, otherwise, the new model will be a total failure people in the
rural and semi-urban areas have a sense of belonging in the new scheme.

“As urban dwellers enjoy electricity in Port-Harcourt, Lagos
and Abuja, those in the rural and semi-urban areas should have the privilege of
having electricity in their homes without necessarily having to break the bank.

“To complement the on-going revolution in the agriculture
sector by the president Jonathan administration, he added that rural
electrification would be an adjunct to the laudable reforms in the sector, with
great impetus for the revival of small and medium scale enterprises in the
semi-urban centers”, he said.