Nigerian Leader Endorses the Power Reform Structure

Dr. Goodluck Jonathan

The Nigerian President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan has approved the composition of a new power reform structure as part of measures to transform the power sector and breathe life into electric power in the country.


The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr Ima Niboro, who stated this in a release posted on www.nigeriafirst.org, said that the new structure is to be driven by the Presidential Action Committee on Power chaired by the President and supported by a Presidential Task Force on Power.

Presidential Action Committee to Provide Leadership

He noted that the Presidential Action Committee will provide leadership and guidance for the development of the power sector and also determine the general policy direction and strategic focus of the ongoing power reform.

Niboro said that the Committee which has the Vice President, Mohammed Namadi Sambo as alternate chairman also has other members which include the Minister of State for Power, the Ministers of Finance, National Planning and Petroleum Resources, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, the Head of Service, Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, a Special Adviser on Power, and Chief of Staff to the President.

He stated: “The Presidential Task Force, on the other hand, is charged with developing and driving the Action Plan for the nation’s power sector with achievable targets within the lifespan of the present administration.”

Committee to Articulate Proper Plan of Action

He noted that the Committee will also articulate a proper plan of action to be implemented in the areas of power generation, transmission distribution as well as all issues regarding power sector reform stressing that the Taskforce will report to the President and the Presidential Action Committee on a regular basis.

Niboro further said that the Presidential Task Force is to be chaired by the Special Adviser to the President on Power and that the members include the Permanent Secretary (Ministry of Power), Group Managing Director, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Managing Director, Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN), Managing Director, Niger-Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC).

Others according to him include Director General, Bureau for Public Procurement (BPP); Director General Bureau for Public Enterprises (BPE); Accountant General of the Federation, Chief Executive, Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), CEOs of two power distribution companies, CEOs of two generating companies, and Director of Power in the Power Ministry. The Senior Special Assistant to the President (Special Projects) will serve as Member/Secretary.

“Under the new arrangement, the Ministry of Power will however continue to supervise the day to day affairs of the Ministry and relevant agencies, as well as fund the various projects approved in the 2010 budget,” he added.

Niboro pointed out that the Committee will also provide a conducive environment for the Presidential Taskforce to carry out its assignment adding that all requests for the award of contracts for the consideration of the Federal Executive Council are to be handled by the Ministry.

CBN Role Critical to the Nation’s Economic Survival

In a related development, President Jonathan said the successful implementation of the supervisory functions of the Central Bank of Nigeria is critical to the economic survival of the nation.

The President who spoke to members of the Board of Directors of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), during a courtesy call, at State House said that their role is very sensitive and must be handled carefully.

President Jonathan expressed the concern shared by many Nigerians about the need for the CBN to perform maximally in order to ensure that the banking sector does not go through crises as recently experienced in some banks.

“We must ensure that the recent problems faced by the banking sector are not repeated. For banking supervision to succeed, the CBN must upgrade its capacity to enforce the laws governing the sector,” the President stated.