10 May 2013, Port Harcourt — MINISTER of Power, Professor Chinedu Nebo, has again assured that privatization of the power sector would step up power supply in the country.
Professor Nebo who spoke in Port Harcourt while commissioning the Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution zonal headquarters complex, appealed to PHCN workers to ensure they put in their best, to hand over a viable power sector to the private investors.
While assuring staff of PHCN that their entitlements would be cleared before the privatization process is completed, he further urged them to be ready to offer their service to the investors when called upon.
“I have told the private investors that you are the soldiers that know the terrain. So the investors will work with you. So when they call you please accept the offer,” he pleaded.
Continuing, the Minister said, with completion of the maintenance work on the Chevron gas pipeline, the nation was now generating about 4,000 megawatts. “There was a drop about two weeks ago in power supply and it was due to the massive loss occasioned by maintenance of the gas pipeline by Chevron. We are back to 4000 megawatts now, which is a slight improvement on what it used to be”.
Professor Nebo further appealed to Nigerians to learn to switch off their appliances when they are not in use, noting that this would help divert energy to needed areas.
*Jimitota Onoyume
