…From Dele Ogunyemi, Ibadan…
Unprecedented tight security mounted by joint operatives of the Nigeria Police and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps on Friday pervaded the entire vicinity of Premier Hotel, Ibadan, venue of the official hand-over of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) successor company, Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company, to the core investor group which won the bid – the Integrated Energy Distribution and Marketing Company Limited.
Virtually everyone who graced the ceremony was thoroughly frisked by the stern-looking security operatives before accessing the venue, apparently with a view to guarding against the occasion being hijacked by perceived hoodlums.
However, the event went on peacefully without any hitch as the Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Finance, Mrs. Anastasia Mabi Daniel-Nwobia who stood in for the representative of the Chairman, National Council of Privatisation, Vice-President Namadi Sambo formally presented the certificate of take-over to the Vice-Chairman of the successful core investor group, Barrister Olatunde Ayeni in the presence of the Governors of Oyo and Ogun States, Senator Isiaq Abiola Ajimobi and Senator Ibikunle Amosun respectively.
It will be recalled that the coverage area of Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company comprise Oyo, Ogun, Osun, Ondo, Kwara as well as parts of Kogi and Niger States.
Speaking on the occasion, the Vice President’s representative traced the history of the Nigeria’s electricity industry which started precisely 14 years ago concluding that the power reform was a necessary tool for laying a solid foundation for sustainable power generation and service efficiency in the sector.
“It needs to be restated that the electricity power reform program became imperative in order to improve efficiency, reduce losses and cost. No doubt, this reform will lead to increased access to electricity, engender private sector investment, improve infrastructure, and create employment for the growing population of our citizenry,” the Vice President remarked.
According to the Vice President, “both the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission and the BPE will continually monitor the operations of the successor companies (of the PHCN) and would not hesitate to sanction any core investor that does not deliver on the performance agreement that was executed with the Government.”
In an acceptance speech, Barrister Olatunde Ayeni, Vice Chairman of Integrated Energy Distribution and Marketing Company Limited commended the Federal Government for its political will to deliver saying the physical take over of Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company “marks the sincerity of purpose of President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration as far as the reform of the nation’s power sector is concerned.”
Ayeni reassured that his company “will manage the assets of Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company prudently” adding that the core investor group will continue to work hard, acquire the needed infrastructure and even surpass the expectations of the Nigerian public.
To this end, he disclosed that the Integrated Energy Distribution and Marketing Company had already engaged a world-class Philipine technical partner while also promising to give human capital development a top priority attention “because business will no longer be as usual.”
Shedding light on what to expect from the core investor group, Mr. Ayeni explained that the company will adopt more business strategies including the usage of smart metres, promote a culture of energy saving in the homes as well as introduce other modern policies on electricity usage.”
Mr. Ayeni declared pointedly that his organization will not disappoint Nigerians just as he expressed appreciation to the labour unions for their matured approach to the new order.
The Governors of Oyo and Ogun States, Senators Abiola Ajimobi and Ibikunle Amosun respectively, in their goodwill message on the occasion congratulated the successful core investor and urged the group to look inwards for all their needs notably human capital, smart cards, cables, etc.
They also advised the core investor to endeavour to live up to the standard both in the areas of energy transmission and distribution stressing that for things to improve in the sector, change is inevitable.