Federal government has reassured South Africa of its commitment to the Memorandum of Understanding between Nigeria and that country.
The Minister of Power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo, gave this assurance when received the South African delegation, led by Dr.ZweliniMkhize, former Premier of Kwazulu-Natal and Treasurer General of the ANC in Abuja.
He recalled that projects such as coal–to-power, gas– to-power, energy metering, exchange of technical staff, capacity building, power sector road shows, exhibition and conferences were all captured in the MoU.
He said it was on record that South Africa metering company was one of the best in the world, identifying some landmark achievement of South-Africa in the energy sector.
“We are ready to work together in all the areas identified as it is in the interest of our both countries to provide the necessary impetus that will have multiplier or geometric effects, not arithmetic effects on the continent of Africa. Our countries are carrying the load for the entire continent, hence much is expected from us,” he said.
He further assured that his Ministry was not only committed to, but open to genuine ideas that would be mutually beneficial.
“We are concerned about local content; we must share technical and professional ideas in engineering, technical knowhow which will leapfrog us to meet the rest of the world. We must advance our mutual interests.”
He recalled that during President Goodluck Jonathan’s visit to South Africa, at least nine other MoUs were signed, saying they were all aimed at Mr. President’s intention to rebrand and transform the Nigerian economy.
Earlier, the leader of the delegationinformed that his visit was to explore collaborative areas to move the content of the MoUforward.
He said there were two developments in the South Africa energy sector that informed his visit.
“One is that the C.E.O of the Eskom recently resigned and the second being that with President Zuma’s second tenure, a new Minister is now in charge of the energy sector, the need to fill these gaps cannot be over-emphasized.
“We are ready to work together with the Nigerian team in all areas identified. It is indeed a response to the huge demand for South Africa businessmen to build a long lasting relationship with Nigeria,” he said.
