Nigerian Needs $1.5 Billion Investments in Power Generation, Transmission

Minister of State for Power, Alhaji Mohammed Wakil and Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Mr. Godknows Igali have declared that Nigeria needed as much as $1.5 billion investment in power general and transmission to stabilize power supply in the country.

They made the disclosure when they appeared before National Conference Committee on Power. They noted that the situation called for increasing need for private investment in the sector.

They told the Committee that government is working on the review of the power reform policy and the use of solar power.

According to them, vandalism of power infrastructure and the attitude of local communities was another major problem facing power generation and distribution. They also told the committee that the World Bank was interested in supporting the post privatization process and that the President has approved a shadow cabinet for Manitoba hydro.

Advertisement

The Minister of Solid Minerals, Mohammed Sada who also also appeared before the committee spoke on the use of solid minerals for power generation. He said a company has expressed interest on the Orji River plant and that there was a proposal for the resuscitation of the thirty megawatt plant.

He said all the coal blocks in Enugu have been reserved for power generation. The minister reaffirmed that the Coal Corporation has been privatized. The Committee wants the Ministry to take an aggressive lead in using coal for power generation.