Without any doubt, regular power supply is key to economic development and Nigeria is in dire need of that. Considering the inauguration of a power sector reform coordination group, there are chances that the power sector would be revived.
Though this is not the first time such group would be set up in the country but the calibre of people that are members could give hope to hopeless Nigerians.
Details of members: The group, which was created by President Muhammadu Buhari, would be led by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo. Members are Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Godwin Emefiele, Governor of Kaduna state, Nasir El-Rufai, Chief of staff to the president, Abba Kyari, Minister of Power, Sale Mamman, Minister of Finance, Zainab Ahmed, and Ahmad Zakari, who is the Special Adviser to the President on infrastructure,
Details: The group is expected to coordinate the ad-hoc committee reviewing the ownership of the electricity distribution companies (DisCos) in November. The committee, which is headed by Governor El-Rufai, will have its ongoing efforts incorporated by the power reform Group in order to ensure all power sector initiatives are on the same page.
Part of the responsibilities of the Osinbajo-led group is to oversee the design and implementation of a well-coordinated roadmap for the sector.
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In a statement issued by El-Rufai, the Governor stated, “This new presidential working group will coordinate ad-hoc committee and other efforts on a national scale, and report progress fortnightly to Mr. President.
“The presidential working group, which will meet weekly, commenced work at the Presidential Villa on Tuesday, at a meeting at which the Vice President presided. The key objective of the working group is to harmonise various efforts by the Federal Government and the 36 States, through the National Economic Council (NEC), on power sector reform and to oversee the design and implementation of a well-coordinated roadmap for the sector.”
Why it matters: It added that the national working group will support critical financing initiatives with the World Bank Group, DFID and other key development partners.
The group will also ensure that ongoing Federal and State initiatives are in sync with the Presidential Power Initiative being implemented with the German government and Siemens, and infrastructure investments of the TCN and the Ministry of Power.
