As economic experts are craving for the intervention of private investors in critical sectors of the Nigerian economy, the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructures (NASENI) has given reasons why the private investors have yet to take over its Solar Cell factory located in Karshi, Abuja. BODE OLAGOKE reports.
Nigeria’s power sector has remained recalcitrant with regards being in a state of comatose despite the billions of dollars sank into it by the different administrations, past and present.
It was for Nigeria not to be left behind in terms guaranteeing 24-hour power supply that necessitated embracing the solar energy alternative programme as well as fighting issues like climate change by using clean energy.
The National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructures (NASENI) has given reasons why the private investors have yet to take over its Solar Cell factory located in Karshi, Abuja.
Probing the factory
Speaking to journalists, Tuesday in Abuja, on the sideline of the celebration of Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions Day, NASENI’s branch in Abuja, through its Executive Vice Chairman, Prof. Mohammed Sani Haruna, said the private sector is still studying the balance sheet, the final account, the performance of the factory to ascertain the profitability and its viability.
NASENI had earlier said its plan to begin the local manufacturing of transformers has reached advanced stages.
The requisite skills
Prof. Haruna, had revealed this on July 17, 2019 at an orientation programme for 60 engineers and technicians that had been selected to travel to China to acquire the requisite skills for the manufacturing exercise.
But at NASU Day celebration, NASENI boss said, “We had wanted the private sector to take over this power plant from day one. We didn’t earlier want to convert it to limited liability company. We searched for private sectors to take it over after we have launched it successfully and produced the first batch of solar panel from there. But what we realised is that the private sectors want to see annual performance report.
“They want to study the balance sheet, the final account, the performance of the factory over the period of time, for them to ascertain the profitability and its viability. That is why government has given approval that it should be run as limited liability company, so that, private sectors willing to take that can see the scorecards.
Willingness to hand over
“As the minister had earlier declared that the government is willing to share it with the private sector that is willing, I’m sure that as soon as any private firm comes, government will make arrangements to finalise that. We wouldn’t mind even if it is today.
“However, even if the private sector is taking that over, we will continue to do research for more innovative products that either another group or private sector is willing, we will allow them to come and take it to the market because we are steadfast in doing our research and innovations, they are doing marketing.”
Meanwhile, the General-Secretary of NASU, Peters Adeyemi has said his people are considering how to halt or not join the strike actions being planned by the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) over 30,000 minimum wage.
Challenges
Speaking at the celebration, with the theme: ‘Peaceful Co-existence in the Workplace’, Adeyemi listed a lot of challenges being faced by the Union which include: outsourcing in private companies, low welfare package among others.
The NASU’s scribe told the gathering that the NASENI CEO has done well in the area of carrying along members of his union through frequent dialogue, transparency which has been enhancing harmonious relationship in the agency.
But Adeyemi ruled out the possibility of not joining NLC if their listed demands are not met, adding the recalcitrant attitude of employers or government may coarse them to do so.
He said, “We have developed strike capacity at institutional, sectors and national levels. If a strike action is foisted upon us through the recalcitrant attitude of any employer or government, we will not shy away from embarking on strike, if that is the language they will understand in order to address our grievances.”
