Power: Nigeria to attain 6,000 MW in 2012 --Nnaji

 
The Minister of Power, Prof. Barth Nnaji, says the country's energy capacity will hit 6,000 Mega Watts in 2012 following the recovery of lost capacity. Nnaji announced this on Monday in Abuja at a workshop organised by the ministry and the Bureau of Public Enterprises.

He said the ministry had a programme to recover lost capacity at Egbin, Kainji and other power plants in the country.

Nnaji, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Mrs Ibukun Odushote, said he was optimistic that the capacity would hit 6,000 in 2012 when the new National Integrated Power Projects (NIPPs) were inaugurated.

`` We have a programme to recover lost capacity at Egbin, Kainji and other places. The 760 MW Kainji hydro station built in 1968 has never been overhauled.

`` Some of its units are now undergoing rehabilitation; with the scheduled commissioning of some plants built under NIPP, we are optimistic of achieving the target of 5,000 MW this year and hit 6,000 MW in 2012," he said.

He said the ministry was carrying out repairs in transmission and distribution networks as well as upgrading and modernising the power plants in the country.

Nnaji also said President Goodluck Jonathan had approved the implementation of the Super Grid Transmission infrastructure which would increase power capacity after installation.

The gradual improvement in energy, he said, would also lead to increase in demand for electricity with former customers expected to return.

Chief Emeka Wogu, the Minister of Labour and Productivity, said the federal government would fulfill all the agreements reached with PHCN unions before commencement of privatisation.

Wogu, however, expressed regrets that inadequate electricity supply had led to loss of many jobs in the country.

Earlier, Hassan Sunmonu, the Chief Negotiator/Conciliator between the Federal Government and PHCN unions, said the country's economic development depended on power.

He also advised government to consider its investment in the sector during the privatisation exercise so that PHCN's assets were not sold cheaply.

(NAN)