LAGOS-The Federal Government must investigate the capabilities of prospective managers of the power sector, Mr. Abiodun Ogunleye, the Managing Director, PowerCap Nig. Ltd., has said in Lagos.
Ogunleye, an energy consultant, told newsmen in Lagos that the measure was necessary to ensure that genuine investors win the bid for the management of the power sector.
It will be recalled that President Goodluck Jonathan on August 26 in Lagos announced the full privatisation of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) for effective service delivery.
Jonathan made the announcement while unveiling the road map for the reforms of the power sector.
Ogunleye said any company that would be given the licence to handle the power sector must have a record of achievements in the sector.
He said that government should not politicise the sale of PHCN subsidiary companies to favour non-performing companies in order to achieve the goals of the reform.
The consultant advised the government to target major cities for stable electricity supply in the first phase of the plan.
“Government should concentrate more on power supply to major cities in some states by the time they start their pilot schemes on privatisation of the power sector.
“The idea is to increase power supply in those areas gradually and to also secure 5,000 megawatts to new Independent Power Producers (IPPs), which are slated to come on stream by 2012,” he said.
Ogunleye advised the government to begin negotiations with the IPPs and encourage them to generate additional megawatts within a short time.
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