Govt moves to sell 40% shares in 11 DisCos through IPO

The Federal Government has concluded plans to sell off its 40 per cent stakes in the 11 Distribution Companies (DisCos).

Director-General of the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), Alex Okoh, stated that the divestment will be done through Public Offerings (IPO) at the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

The sale is to fulfil two purposes: To end the inefficiency in the electricity distribution chain and to generate funds to part finance the N27.5 trillion 2024 Budget.

TCN: We only transmit 8,100mw of 13,000mw generated electricity

The 40 per cent shares are co-owned by the Federal Government, the states and the local governments.

Okoh disclosed that the government’s shares in Eleme Petrochemicals Company Limited (EPCL), Nigeria Re-Insurance, NICON Insurance and Nigeria Machine Tools will also be put up for sale next year.

He said: “IPO through the capital market is a very credible strategy for us. Once we are able to resolve a few changes, especially ownership challenges with some DisCos, we’ll sell.

“Once we resolve the 40 per cent ownership in the DisCcos, we also plan to take Eleme petrochemicals to the market.

“We have also planned to take the Nigeria Reinsurance and Nicon Insurance to the capital market.

“A lot of entities have been pencilled down for offer in the capital market including the Nigeria Machine Tool in Osogbo all in next year.”

The Star