Sanusi advocates power sector deregulation

is sanusi not a member of the presidential economic think tank?...

Power Deregulation !!!!! Is this man(Sanusi Lamidi) in the right state of mind. I am beginning to doubt it; Does he know that the BPE(Bureau of Public Enterprises) managed by Atiku, already sold ECN to PHCN (Power Holding Corporation of Nigeria), now a privately run company. Sanusi, what are you knocking, NICON, NITEL, NIGERIA AIRWAYS, NNPC, OIL FIELDS, NPA, FEDERAL HOTELS, NIGERIA HOUSE IN NEW YORK CITY(USA), and more have been sold. Very soon the Federal Government will be privatized. I get your point Sanusi, you have found a way out of your own to milk the country "DRY". So, set up your own private Energy Company, and you are up for the corrupt game. Smart move Lamidi, we are watching you.

@ Abanikoda The CBN guv's surname is Lamido and not Lamidi. So in your opinion, PHCN is a privately run company? If so, then I live on the moon! Is PHCN being milked today? If the answer is yes, then what poit are you making?

Xalim it's Point and not poit!!!! PHCN use to be NNPA after Privatizing it, it became PHCN. Also remember that a lot of Private power companies are working on project to supply light to some areas. Get ur fact right and be a Good Nigerian.... Let's do what is right so that our children will pray for US. Long Live NIgeria Long live DB

CountryMan: which think tank? The one that has Tanimu Yakubu and Shamsudeen Usman in it? Why do you think the man is talking as if he does not know about that "think tank"? As for you, Abanikonda, that was quite a rant and you must be congratulating yourself. When you find time to come up for air and wipe the foam from your lips, please check up the correct spelling of the CBN Governor's name.

DB, Salim and Abanikonda: All that Sanusi is urging is for the privatisation agency, BPE, to get back on the track of pushing forward the electricity sector reform programme abandoned by Yar'Adua; and completing the breaking up PHCN into successor companies, bringing in a amanagement contract for the transmission company and privatising the generating and distribution companies. What the CBN Governor failed to say, however, is that there also has to be an effective regulator in place; pricing of gas feedstock and electricity tariffs have to be right; PHCN workers pension liabilities and contract termination payments have to be settled; and, above all, the Minister of Power has to change focus from awarding lucrative NIPP contracts to doing some serious work of kicking complacent backsides in PHCN into line and sweet-talking the labour unions back into supporting the reform programme. Mr. Sanusi should not to be telling home truths only to the BPE fellow, he should be talking directly into the face of Dr. Lanre Babalola, the Minister of Power. Presumably, the good MInister is now free of the shackles of his puppet master, Tanimu Yakubu, and can now redeem himself like Madam Dora has done. It really does not take much to do.

It will be great to deregulate Nigeria's Power sector. Nothing much can achieved with the current set-up. I pray it will happen soon!

Abanikonda, U got it all wrong. U dont even have a clue of the fact. NEPA act wouldn't allow privatisation unless the act is amended...so, came the PHCN. And then NERC to regulate and issue licence just like NCC is doing in the Telecomms sector. PHCN isn't a private coy but fully FGN. And more importantly, u stand a position to be disappointed, cos SANUSI LAMIDO SANUSI disclipline isn't the type of the regulare treasury looters we have in FGN positions. Keep close and see. SLS gave BPE DG the right advice. They (BPE) should do everything possible, as a matter of urgency, to encourage FULL PRIVATE SECTOR PARTICIPATION to achieve our big dream for standard Power Sector in this country. Thats the ONLY way out of the the currnt status. May God provide NIGERIA with leaders who are faithful,uncorrupt, dedicated, selfless, patriotic, etc AMIN

WHAT HAPPENS IF 36 STATES PLUS ABUJA ARE ALLOWED BY LAW TO SET UP THEIR POWER HOUSE TO GENERATE THEIR POWER? THIS IS WHAT IS OBTAINABLE IN THE USA. HOW I WISH NIGERIA IS NOT ANIMAL FARM. SINCE INDEPENDENCE NOTHING CENTRALLY MANAGED HAS EVER SEEN THE LIGHT OF THE DAY. REASON INFORMS US OF THE NEED NEED FOR CONFEDERATION WHERE PEOPLE IN THEIR GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATIONS AND SUB-NATIONS WILL BE AUTONOMOUS. OTHERWISE, WE SHALL CONTINUE TO PRODUCE 3 MILLION BARREL OF OIL AT $81 DAILY FOR A FEW WICKED NIGERIANS TO SHARE AT THE CENTER, ABUJA. THEIR FRIENDS, RELATIVES, CRONIES ARE BUILDING REFINERIES, HOSPITALS, COMPANIES, HOUSES ABROAD TO BOAST THE ECONOMY OF THOSE COUNTRIES. WE ARE HERE CRYING FOWL AS WE ARE TODAY NOTHING CAN OR IS GOING TO WORK IN NIGERIA. TO BE VERY HONEST, IF YOU PUT ME THERE I AM GOING TO TAKE EVEN DOUBLE PORTION BECAUSE I HAVE BEEN CHEATED SINCE INDEPENDENCE. OUR OIL MONEY IN NNPC ABUJA PURSE BELONGS TO NOBODY IN NIGERIA.IF THE MONEY IS OWNED BY SOMEBODY OR ANY SUB-NATION OF NIGERIA, THE MONEY WOULD HAVE BEEN IN THEIR COMMUNITY FOR DEVELOPMENT PURPOSES. OUR MONEY IS NO ONES' MONEY. ANY CASH IN ABUJA IS FOR POLITICIANS TO THROW AWAY AS THEY LIKE. GOWON DID IT, SHAGARI DID IT,IBB DID IT, OBJ DID THE WORST, YAR'ADUA MAY BE THE GREATEST FRAUDSTER EVER. THIS ONE IS EVEN LIVING ABROAD HAVING MOVED PRESIDENTIAL VILLA/LODGE TO SAUDI ARABIA FOR POSTERITY. VERY SOON THE REMAINING FACTORIES IN NIGERIA WILL RE-LOCATE TO SAUDI. TURAI HAS JUST BEEN ELECTED THERE AS GROUP MANAGING DIRECTOR. NO NIGERIAN IS ALLOW INTO SAUDI FOR FEAR OF EXPOSING ANY ECONOMIC INTEREST. IF ANYONE SEES HOW OUR MONEY IS THROWN AWAY BY THE GHOST OF THE PRESIDENT, WIVES, AIDS, ADC, CSO ETC. ONE MAY DEVELOP HYPERTENSION. SAUDI ARABIA CAN NOT SAY NO TO THAT NEW ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES. THEY MUST DEFEND THEIR TERRITORIES SO THAT NIGERIANS DO NOT COME IN TO CAUSE TROUBLE WITH THEIR NEWLY WEDDED NIGERIAN FIRST FAMILY. BUT GOD WILL SURELY JUDGE THE LIVING AND THE DEATH.

My point is that those that tampered with our external reserve for the purpose of electricity generation, which have failed under the watch of Sanusi, should be made to pay us back our money, just as bank debtors did. with out true federalism that will make the centre less atractive, by reducing the burden of governance, we will always be having the same stories all the time.

@ Omo Alhaja, thank you for being 100% on point. Deregulation of the electric power sector was well on its way, following the passage of the ESR Act in 2005 (after the rent-seekers had fought against it for almost 5 years), the setting up of NERC and the unbundling of the generation companies, until Baba Go- Slow moved into Aso Rock and began a process of effective re- centralization under his rent-seeking benefactors.

Erm, people, Sanusi is right on this one o.

Did he just realize it? Don't mind Sanusi, he is being used by the Northerners to cage the new acting president. Goodluck Jonathan's advisers must watch out for Sanusi Lamido. Only yesterday he shouted to the entire World that the acting president was privy to his sectional reforms. We all know, Goodluck as the VP was without any portfolio and say, so what is Sanusi talking about? And why didn't he carry out power sector deregulation for the past months? Everything about this guy is sectional.

Just like the last commentator said, the man is only serving Northern interest

Why did he keep quiet when his brother was there? These call is unnecessary at this time. Sanusi should be calling for restructuring and the implementation of true federalism so that the power sector can be deregulated at regional levels. West, East, South want regional autonomy, so what is difficult in its implementation?

LET US WORK TOGETHER TO FIGHT THE BIG MONSTER CALLED "CORRUPTION" INSTEAD OF PONITING ACCUSSING FINGER AT EACH OTHERS OUR OROBLEM IS NOT TRIBALISM BUT SELFISHNESS GREED AND LACK OF FEAR OF GOD.

To all critics et al; There's nothing wrong under privatization as long as the Federal government sets up the technological guidelines(known as blueprints) for any privatized companies to follow; And that's why Kainji Dam, Ajaokuta Steel, National Infrastructures, PHCN, Nigerian Railways, Nigerian Airways, Transcorp, NSE; all kept on failing due to corruptions and unaccountabilities. Before 1962, Nigeria has two power stations feeding the National grid, 1. The power station at Iddo terminus in Lagos, 2. Power Station at the General Hospital in Lagos. They were properly maintained by the British; there was no shortage of power. These two stations were coal fired; the smokeless coal came from Udi in eastern Nigeria. ECN(Electricity Corporation of Nigeria) was never privatised. Our infrastructures were ok and passable; we can travel to Benin from Lagos within 4 hours by Armels Transport. As soon as the British left, things started "FALLING APART" because we simply lack the "TECHNOLOGIES" to maintain what were left behind. Right now we are so backward technologically, that very soon the country may go into "TOTAL DARKNESS", just as Chief Obafemi Awolowo had predicted over 45 years ago. Factories packing up and leaving for Ghana, because functional educated illiterates are running this Nation, non of them has clues to how to move this country forward, period. Just sell, sell and sell. Nigerian House in New York(USA) has been sold; who bought it, and for how much, only God knows; Our house of criminal commons(National Assembly) still investigating. It will take a miracle NOT privatization to solve our problems. Oh less I forget, Lamidi, Lamido, no harm done; same o same o.

@DB,It is NEPA and not NNPA,I wonder if you guys are really Nigerians,you don't even know the correct spelling for your power company,and mind u PHCN is not yet privatized,it is still government owned

who bought nigeria house...lamidi, lamido, lamidu?

Deregulation will improve things. The central government is not efficient at managing things. Look at how telephone system has improve in Nigeria? when it was only government's NITEL, lines never go through or people line up in the few functional phone booth in major cities in Nigeria. The government has no business managing electricity. What the government need to do is to deregulate the sector and set-up a regulating commission to monitor it like the telephony industry today in Nigeria.

@L.Goodluck Sowore, who told you Sanusi didnt speak when his 'brother' was there? Before u make such tribal/sectional insunuations pls go and read about the way he attacked Yar'Adua's 7-points agenda.. and that was even during his interview by the Senate to be CBN Governor ooo!!! Lets put sentiments aside and appreciate the sense in the man's advise. If telecoms sector was not deregulated must of us wont have this internet forum to discuss!

Whatever we choose to say regarding privatization, we should back track a bit much to realize that they are all card players that run this nation. Technology as it were may not actually be our problem. Nigerians that runs the Power system in the US and Ghana for that matter and they would be willing to contribute as much to their homeland. FUNCTIONALLY NIGERIA NEEDS a reform that allows autonomy of state. As well as reorientation of her citizenry. Credible leadership. Love of the Nation. And an enlightened self-interest of making a better tomorrow for the next generation of which our children are part would help us get there.

I COMMEND PASTOR EZEKIEL JACK FOR HIS CONSTRUCTIVE COMMENT. WE SHOULD NOT SHY AWAY FROM EMPOWERING THE STATES.GIVE THEM THE MONEY AND LET THEM PROVIDE THEIR OWN ELECTRICITY. WE MIGHT BE SURPRISED!

Who are these people who see a conspiracy everywhere? Thank you Omo Alhaja for your insight.

Deregulation is quite good no doubt. But tell me of Transcorp Hilton, tell me of NITEL, tell me of the cement factory sold. What has it benefited the common man and the buyers in real terms of business. We just keep letting this card playing gamblers take our national heritage for themselves. Electricity deregulation essentially should be opposed by the public. First permit independent generation and distibution of power accross the nation and collect your tariff from whoever is in the business. Then let's talk about deregulation of PHCN. Let PHCN compete like NITEL against the PTO and GMS operators. That's the way we can get the best of this. Any they say this is impossible then we can ask them who says - he must be a one of them stupid.

I have made the following comment once, twice and again here. I have listened to the CBN governor since he was sworn in to office. My conclusion is that this gentleman is in the wrong office. He should be made a Minister for Mines and Power to put our electricity into shape. Though, i am not a fan of his reforms at the apex bank but i believe given a chance as a Minister for power/electicity in particular, he will do a better job than that liar. Sanusi is so passionate and enthusiastic in getting Nigeria lighted up. Please Acting President, GIVE HIM A CHANCE AND HE WILL DELIVER.

He should go and deregulate the ports where smuggling is the other of the day. Goodluck Jonathan and his advisers must be very watchful.

Sowore: Three things, please. First, at his Senate confirmation, Sanusi said the unsayable. He lambasted Yar'Adua's 7-Point Agenda and reduced it to two: infrastructure and security/law and order. His nationalist credentials are well-established in his writings going back many years and nobody can shake them. Second, Sanusi is a most worthy product of a Federal Government College - Kings College no less - when they were still incubators of some of the very best that this country will ever produce. Third, the reason why he's concerned about electricity sector reform is obvious. It is the ONLY way to free resources (we spent over 1 TRILLION NAIRA in 2008 on diesel!!!) for generating exponential growth and development across economic sectors - in small and medium enterprises, heavy industry, services and, particularly very obvious, the financial services sector. Reform will enable the electricity sector to be a true catalyst for the release of our creative spirit and therefore the development of Nigeria into the global powerhouse that is its destiny...if only we could keep the demons of ignorance, tribalism and greed at bay. Please try to understand what you are writing about, before you write. We all need to join Sanusi in calling for movement on electricity sector reform because it benefits ALL OF US, especially the poor that exist in every tribe of this country.

Does anyone know the circumstances surrounding the "ASSASSINATION" of Bola Ige, our late minister in charge of POWER, under Baba Iyabo's administration. Wole Soyinka promised us to release all the full facts, but we are still waiting. The same fate befell Dodo Williams of Nigerian Port Authority.

@Omo Alhaja: I agree fully with your comments But don't you think distribution in the hands of the private sector is risky at this stage of the game. Start with private company generation and let the states handle local distribution based on a federal transmission backbone. @Bugsy Macgraw: word!

Nuru Jay: yes, it's risky because we would initially confer monopolies on the private sector managers that take over the existing distribution companies. However, it's also a very necessary risk but the danger of monopolisation is one of the primary reasons why we need NERC to become a competent and fearless regulator that will hold electricity companies to high standards in pricing and service provision. Otherwise, privatisation will lead to revolution. Electricity Reform involves the development and coordination of collaborative policies involving economics, law and engineering. A huge amount of work was done between 2000 and 2005 that would have produced tremendous results about now, but you need to ask Baba Sege why he lost his nerve and failed to pursue reform after NERC was set up in 2005; and Yar'Adua why he totally failed to understand sector reform (at least Baba understood it) and allowed the status quo people like Bello Suleiman and Rilwan Lukman back into the driver's seat. The introduction of the private sector MUST start at the level of distribution because that is the foundation of the entire electricity sector. That is where ALL the revenues come from. States don't have the money or the credit worthiness to encourage generation companies to provide megawatts. They also do not have the skills to manage technical (wires) services and commercial (revenue collection and marketing) issues. This is why PHCN suffers huge technical losses (megawatt-hours lost due to poor transmission and distribution capacity) and are unable to collect almost 50% of bills. If the FG can get the private sector into distribution (that is after re-pricing tariffs and gas feedstock), money and management resources will first go towards improving collections from existing networks; then they will go into technically reinforcing existing networks and expanding service to new areas and customers. As this happens, distribution companies with growing revenues and reduced losses acquire the credit worthiness capable of supporting power purchase agreements (PPAs) and the expansion of gas transmission systems, which in turn encourage private investors to buy into existing generating companies and building new IPPs and the transmission company to improve and expand its transmission network. In other words, the same revolution that has happened in ICT since GSM arrived in 2001 will happen in electricity but with much greater and far-reaching positive effect if we do the right things to bring in and regulate private sector investment capacities. I hope you understand, Nuru Jay.

abanikonda...do you really want to know, such info might be dangerous to your health...

@CountryMan; Now you have an idea why this country is going down the drain; you probably have an idea, OR are you part of the clandestine game plan.

@ MARC, what has the states being doing with the money that they currently run to collect from Abuja every month? Do you really believe that while have almost all failed so woefully to perform with roads, education and health, they will suddenly perform with electricity? Please let's not throw any more good money after the bad.

What nigeria need today is a complete power deregulation of the power. There won't be economic growth without regular power supply. The only way an economy can sustain micro, small and medium enterprises is a steady power supply. Deregulation of the three (3) units of power supply i.e generation, distribution and marketing must be in the hand of private sector, this enhance efficiency in supply. The NERC can be on ground and over see their operations just like we have NCC in charge of communication.