Nnaji Reveals more details on Power Sector Transformation Process

According to the Minister of Power, Prof Barth Nnaji, the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) is yet to be liquidated. Contrary to popular belief that the PHCN was liquidated on December 31^st, 2011, the minister disclosed that the PHCN will be liquidated by court order. December 31^st was merely the official end of PHCN and the court order will make it legally binding. That court order has yet to be obtained, however it should be expected that government will obtain it shortly.

NNaji speaking with pressmen after a meeting with Senior Staff Association of Electricity and Allied Companies (SSAEAC) disclosed key details on the power sector transformation process. He stated that the thermal stations in the country would be privatized whilst the hydro stations would be given out to investors on concessionary basis.

He also stated government plans to divest from the power generation business by 2014, revealing that by that year it should be expected that all generation plants would be built by the private sector.

The minister also noted that by 2014 all plants under the National Integrated Power Projects (NIPP) scheme would add 4,000 Mega Watts to the Power grid.

Speaking on the dispute between PHCN employees at the National headquarters, the Minister stated that the redeployment of the workers would not affect their compensation. However the minister also raised the issue of ghost workers that had been identified via a biometrics screening exercise.

Speaking in response, the President of SSAEAC said, “We have agreed that all labour matters must be resolved and workers get all their benefits before any of the properties are transferred.”