ELECRICT POWER ACT SOON

The federal government will soon begin the full implementation of the 2005 Electric Power Sector Reform Act (EPSRA), as a first step in a series of measures aimed at addressing the severe electricity crisis facing the nation.


Even though the EPSRA was enacted five years ago, progress in the implementation of the reform measures required to make the power sector viable has been stalled for almost three years.
Acting President Goodluck Jonathan made this pledge at State House, Abuja during the meeting of the Presidential Action Committee on Power this week.


In his closing address at the meeting, the acting president also disclosed that this administration's decision to fast track the resolution of PHCN labour matters and the development of three hydro electricity generating stations at Zungeru and Gurara (both in Niger State) and Mambila in Adamawa State, is a way of increasing stability of power supply in the country.
The acting president stated that government would not rest after improving the electricity supply situation in the country later in the year “because the demand for energy is far more than available capacity.


“South Africa, a nation of some 47 million people generates about 50,000mw. For Nigeria, a nation of 150 million people to realise the ambition of becoming one of the 20 largest economies in the world by the year 2020, we should be thinking of producing some 80,000mw as soon as possible," Jonathan said.


The acting president also noted that Nigeria’s electricity challenges "go beyond power generation as the transmission and distribution systems are in a state which leaves much to be desired owing to years of neglect."
During the current “transition” stage of the EPSRA, the Power Holding Company of Nigeria was unbundled into 11 distribution companies, six power generation companies and one transmission company, bringing the total number of successor companies to 18.


The Act also created the Nigeria Electricity Liability Management Company to assume responsibility of the agreements already signed by PHCN and take care of PHCN's stranded assets.
The Act further provides for the privatisation of the PHCN successor generation and distribution companies across the country.
The Presidential Action Committee on Power comprises Jonathan as the chairman; Prof. Bart Nnaji, former Minister of Science and Technology as the alternate chairman; Minister of State for Power Nuhu Wya as vice chairman; Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Alhaji Yayale Ahmed; and Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Dieziani Allison-Madueke as members.


Others members are the Minister of Finance, Olusegun Aganga; Minister of National Planning, Sham-sudeen Usman; National Security Adviser, Gen. Aliyu Gusau; governor of the Central Bank, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi; director general of the Bureau for Public Enterprises, Ms. Bola Onagoruwa; director general of the Bureau for Public Procurement, Emeka Eze; and electricity workers’ labour unions, among other key stakeholders.