Privatisation of power sector and calls for reversal

The answer to this question, is what has left the Federal Government, end-users, as well as other stakeholders in the energy sector on tenterhooks regarding the best approach to addressing the lingering challenges bedeviling the nation’s power sector more than five years after the sector was handed over to private investors.

“If we leave them for the next 10 years there would be no power in Nigeria… We gave them our common patrimony and they still come back as DisCos and GenCos to look for money from the public. I think it’s time for Nigeria to consider reversing the privatisation of the power sector or they should just cancel the entire privatisation process completely.

Apart from Buhari, some high-ranking officials of his administration, including the immediate past power minister, Babatunde Raji Fashola, and his successor, Saleh Mamman, have equally spoken of government’s dissatisfaction with the performance of the DisCos and GenCos and hinted at a review of the privatisation exercise.

“The problems are many; the entire sector is broken, there is a fundamental structural problem. The Federal Government has supported the industry with N1.7t in the past three years. The government will take some very tough decisions. There is a lot of blame game. Over 80 million Nigerians are without electricity… It is either we continue to allow the Federal Government pump in N1.7t every three years, or we take the tough decision that will ensure a stable power supply,” he said.

Based on that prevailing reality, the Federal Government planned that by this year, the country would have increased its power generation capacity to 40, 000MW, with an investment of $3.5b per year. But as of Tuesday last week, the country’s peak power generation stood at 4, 950.80 MW. Indeed, some stakeholders believe that speculations by key officials in the Buhari-led government on the possible reversal of the privatisation deal did a lot to deter investors from the sector, and added to the financial constraints, which hitherto pushed the sector toward the brink of bankruptcy.

Shortly after Fashola took the reins in the defunct Ministry of Power, Works and Housing during his first term as minister, he appeared at the 5th European Union -Nigeria Business Forum dousing tension on possible reversal of power privatisation.

No difference except for inflated charges or bills.

Our govt needs to be serious in protecting the nations infrastructures. There will continue to be power problems in the nation as long as VESTED INTEREST SYDROME is not completely eradicated from our system. All sectors are affected here: HEALTH. EDUCATION, DEFENCE, WORKS,

I believe most of the private Gencos and Discos are cronies of our politicians or probably coys where they have interest. Thats why they are still getting money from govt for doing nothing and also bringing unreasonable bills to consumers. It is appaling!!!

I think there were problems with the privatization processess from the onset. Did our govt do enough due dilligence on the Discos and Gencos that won the privatization bids? Are they competent coys? What were their track records in terms of performance? How liquid were they?

I think it should remain with the private sector

Nothing works in the hands of government. Privatization is best for Nigeria but policies must be adhere to 🙄 monitor

Government remains the bane of the power industry. Until the regulations are obeyed the sector cannot function. I had to fight with the NERCNG to obey the 60 day window recommended by the EPSR Act 2005 for settling disputes. The govt and the regulatory bodies are the problems.

Quite deserve to be reversed to once again get it rights.

We have tried both in Nigeria,n no improvement? Let FG swallow pride n own up- That they are not capable of providing electricity to Nigerians ;and help shall come. 2023 is near n electricity will take it's usual prominent position on our parties manifestos. FG tell us d truth

The problem is with the national grid. No matter who runs the power system, as long as the national grid is not broken into manageable parts, we will not have power.

Why would a private sector be in charge at first.. That's the problem of this country.. We should learn from other countries.. Things like power and electricity should be controlled by the government.

Government era was even worst. The best way to go for effective service delivery, is to adopt the NITEL reforms model that gave birth to independent and private telecom companies eg MTN, 9Mobile and Airtel.

Ah! It should remain with the private sector because when China is no more willing to lend, it will be sold to them!

Is should be 60/40 the government should hold 60 which private individual should claim 40

Given back ownership to the most corrupt government employees in the world will not solve the problem. Our public employees from customs to police to immigration cannot be relied upon to do anything right. Better to privatize everything

Is this a question for the people or just an article?

Truth be told, power supply was better when the Govt was in charge BACK THEN but I'm not so sure if the power sector can be entrusted to the Govt RIGHT NOW. Let them just break the monopoly in D power sector, make it competitive like the telecom industry: MTN, 9Mobile, Glo, etc.

The the government take responsibility

Yes,no for privatization capital NO'they are extorting&frustrating Nigerians,we need freedom frm those greedy men,why are we paying for electricity bill when there is no light?why are they using estimated bills to frustrate mostly poor Nigerians,we re tired,enough of this madness

Give it to competent private sector not your friends .

No

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