Delegate Wants Pragmatic Approach To Power Sector Challenges

The Deputy Chairman,
Committee on Energy at the ongoing National Conference, Mr Bello Suleiman, has called on the Federal Government to apply a ‘pragmatic approach’ in solving the challenges posed by epileptic power supply.
Suleiman made the call in Abuja last Tuesday  in an interview with newsmen.
He said that since the sector was capital intensive, the government should assist private investors in its management.
Suleiman, a former minister of power, said that while it was commendable that the private sector had ventured into the sector, the onus to revamp it still lay with the government.
The deputy chairman, a delegate representing Sokoto state, said the committee was taking a ‘critical’ look at the law and policy governing the sector with a view to proffering solutions to the problems
“The current policy is outdated; it is not the solution and it will not bring power to Nigeria.
“The current policy simply says that the power sector should be driven by the private sector.
“But from the information I have received, not a penny is being received from the investment which is expected to come from abroad.
“All the monies paid for the privatisation exercise are loans gotten from local banks.
“The banks have indicated that they are no more in a position to provide more money to the power sector because of the various risks,’’ he said.
Suleiman said the committee would meet with the ministers of power and Solid minerals to come up with recommendations that would improve the sector.
“We are yet to recommend anything because we would like to meet with the Ministers of power and solid minerals.
“The indication is that the government must be pragmatic rather than being dogmatic with regards to privatisation.
“This means that private investors should be encouraged to bring in their money if they can.
“But the government should not sit on its oars and expect the private sector to solve all the problems in the sector,’’ he said.