Yar’Adua set to tackle Nigeria’s energy crisis

INDICATIONS are that the President-elect, Alhaji Musa Yar'dua, mighteffect a clean sweep of major government agencies and extra-ministerial department especially in the energy sector.

A source close to the president-elect told our correspondent on Wednesday that move was imminent and that it was meant to restore public confidence in most of the agencies.

He said that Yar'dua was keen on the step so as to give a new lease of life to those agencies and to ensure that it achieved the needed results in providing Nigerians with uninterrupted power supply.

He said that the policy change might affect institutions like the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation and some of its subsidiaries and the Power Holding Company that is already being privatised.

Our source said that the plan was meant to bring about efficiency in the supply chain for gas used in electricity generation and the management of the power plants. Yar'dua had earlier said that he would declare a state of emergency in the power industry as part of his plan to achieve uninterrupted power supply to Nigerians.

The administration had two months inaugurated three power plants each in Papalanto in Ogun State, Omotoso in Ondo State and Geregu in Ogun State. Some others have been slated for inauguration towards the end of the year and early next year.

Our source said that the President-elect had, however, held initial discussions with some of the stakeholders in the industry on how to achieve his plan. When contacted on the development, the spokesperson for the President-elect, Mr. Ndu Ughamadu said that his boss would not want further discussion on the move, especially in the news media until after inauguration on May 29, 2007.
Source : http://www.tribune.com.ng/