Minister of Power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo, has assured the visiting Chinese team that their determination to genuinely undertake investment activities in Nigeria’s power sector was not misplaced.
He assured that there was bountiful yields, informing further that they were at liberty to repatriate their profit home without any hindrance.
Nebo, who received the Nigeria-Chinese Business Council (NCBC) led by Qianjing Yuan in Abuja, said available statistics placed Nigeria as one of the most vibrant economies in Africa and the top 10 in the world.
He said this supports the notion that Nigeria harbours a large army of young people who had a lot to do with power.
He said in order to meet the huge suppressed demand for electricity Nigeria would require partnering with the Chinese in the area of power generation, equipment and materials required in the value chain.
He drew the attention of the Chinese to a long list of Nigerians that already had licences, and were desirous to partner with the Chinese.
He said such list was available at NERC, saying further that other areas of cooperation were capacity building especially in specialized areas like instrumentation, stressing that now, more than ever before, everything seems to be digitalized.
He commended the Chinese for being part of a number of on-going projects in Nigeria, listing rehabilitation works at Kainji and Jebba, construction of Omotoso, Afam, Sapele, Geregu gas-fired plants’ and the new 700mw Zungeru Hydro plant as osme of them.
He also disclosed that “the record biggest hydro in West Africa – Mambilla – 3,050mw, will be financed by the Chinese.”
“Power-China is already working on meeting the target of providing 20,000mw power in Nigeria. Government is determined to have a good energy mix by putting flesh into the skeleton, on work done on Coal to Power and these new hydro projects,” he said.
Speaking earlier, the Minister of state for Power, Mohammed Wakil, challenged the Chinese to take more active part in the nation’s energy sector, reminding them of what happened in the telecommunication sector.
He traced Sino-Nigeria relations to 1997 which witnessed the signing of protocol and that by that agreement, a number of defunct NEPA Engineers, Technicians were trained.
He also said the Chinese had assisted in the construction and rehabilitation of power stations after the signing of that protcol.
He expressed the nation’s appreciation to the people and government of China for “these immense contributions in seeing that the sector gets on track.”
Chairman of the NCBC, Mathew Uwekwe, recalled various engagements with the Minister and his team, saying the visit was a follow up.
He assured of the Chinese capability to deliver on power, using appropriate
