Governors review proposed privatisation of 10 NIPPs, NigComSat

The 36 governors are to review the proposed privatisation of the 10 generating plants across the country under the National Integrated Power Projects (NIPPs) by the Federal Government.

The governors under the aegis of Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) disclosed this in a communique issued in Abuja and signed by its Chairman, Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti at the end of a teleconference.

The Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) in June 2019 said it will privatise the remaining 10 Nigerian National Integrated Power Projects (NIPPs), as part of efforts by the Federal Government to boost power supply for Nigeria’s industrial expansion vision.

Also slated for privatisation is the Nigerian Government-owned Satellite Communications company, NigComSat, to make it more competitive.

Already, a committee to prepare the NIPPs privatisation transaction has been put in place with the target of the completion of the task billed for this year.

The governors made the resolution after receiving a detailed presentation by the Director-General of the Bureau of Public Enterprises, Mr. Alex Okoh.

“The governors resolved to review and communicate through their board representatives, their assessment and position on the privatisation of what they consider critical national assets.

“States currently own a total of 53 per cent equity in NIPPs while the Federal Government owns a 47 per cent stake,” the forum stated.

The governors also resolved to set up a committee to “scrutinise” the Electric Power Sector Reform (EPSRA) Bill 2021, which has passed its second reading at the Senate.

This according to the governors followed a presentation by the Chief Executive of New Hampshire Capital Limited, Mr. Odion Omonfoman, on the implications the new bill has for state governments.

“The Forum thereafter set up a committee comprising the Governors of Edo and Lagos states to scrutinize the new Bill.

“The committee is to advice the Forum on a position that will ensure that the Bill, when signed, will be a tool to strengthen the course of policy direction, design and implementation of the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI), and address critical issues in the country’s power sector.”

The forum also disclosed that the governors at the meeting resolved to set up state polio transition committees to be chaired by each State Commissioner of Health, “to adapt and facilitate the implementation of the transition plan for their respective states.”

They said that priority would be given for the control of Cholera, “through water and sanitation interventions; as well as the intensification of the vaccination exercise (including the administration of boosters).

This is in addition to existing nonpharmaceutical measures to manage the spread of COVID during the festive season.”