[size=13pt]US has ‘strategic interest’ in Nigeria’s power sector – Envoy[/size]

By Oscarline Onwuemenyi
ABUJA — The United States of America, USA, Tuesday, said it had a commitment and interest in ensuring that it was part of the unfolding development in Nigeria’s power sector.

A statement from the Ministry of Power said the US Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Terence Mcculley, disclosed this when he led the American Ambassador for Nuclear Non-Proliferation, Ms Bonnie Jenkins, on a visit to the Minister of Power, Prof. Bart Nnaji.

Mcculley stressed that US had “serious strategic interest” in investing in the sector with Nnaji at the helm but requested the Minister to address the endemic corruption in the sector.

The US envoy noted that the US active participation in the energy sector was critical and noted that as strategic partner in tackling global challenges especially in the Sub Saharan Africa, US would be happy to assist in harnessing the country’s enormous ingredients of growth and development.

In his response, Nnaji thanked the American government for the confidence reposed in him and announced that Nigeria had reached an irreversible point in her effort to break the jinx that plagued the sector and stunted national growth for several decades now.

Nnaji told the Ambassador that it was in response to the systemic corruption in the sector that President Goodluck Jonathan designed the Power Roadmap to divest government participation in areas where the private sector has managerial advantage to undertake.

The Minister assured the Envoy that Nigeria would provide the veritable level playing ground not just for the US investors but for all genuine investors who want to invest in the Nigerian economy.

Professor Nnaji said Nigeria would no longer renege on Agreements it legally entered into and observed that sanctity of contracts is a sign of trust and confidence in a nation adding that “we cannot continue to renege on Agreements rampantly again and expect investors to accept it or laugh it off”.

On corruption, Professor Nnaji emphasized that the holistic privatization of Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) was meant to checkmate interference of corruption in the value chain noting that private sector management of arteries of national economies is a hallmark of globalization.

Meanwhile, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Mr. Isah Bello Sali has reminded the workers of the danger inherent in not sharpening their skills for efficient and effective service delivery necessary to accomplish the task of transforming the power sector.

Addressing a pool of officers on grade levels 07 – 10 at a Workshop in the Ministry yesterday, Mr. Sali who was represented by the Director, Special Duties in his office, Mr. Athelbert Muoka, insisted that they must be change agents to provide system support for the power sector reform.

The Permanent Secretary said the SERVICOM UNIT of the Ministry organized the workshop to drive home the need for honest, fair and transparent attitude in their day-to-day dispensation of service.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2011/08/us-has-%E2%80%98strategic-interest%E2%80%99-in-nigeria%E2%80%99s-power-sector-envoy/

I do not imagine that the dumbest president Jonathan can succeed with power as he has no record of succeeding at anything. However, let me see if he can actually surprise Nigeria with actually doing something like Obasanjo. One thing though is I hope Nnaji and Jonathan have enough sense not to hand over this sector to Non-Nigerians, it should be Nigerians first. Next, it would be better to let the US actualize their interest rather than China. China would do anything to sustain a corrupt system that benefits them more than Nigerians.

CyberG:

I do not imagine that the dumbest president Jonathan can succeed with power as he has no record of succeeding at anything. However, let me see if he can actually surprise Nigeria with actually doing something like Obasanjo. One thing though is I hope Nnaji and Jonathan have enough sense not to hand over this sector to Non-Nigerians, it should be Nigerians first. Next, it would be better to let the US actualize their interest rather than China. China would do anything to sustain a corrupt system that benefits them more than Nigerians.

[/b][b][color=#006600][/color] omo u harsh o!! Well i agree with u on those steps and d chinese thing but CORRUPTION has to be clamped down on.

US,JAPAN should handle technical projects in nigeria,not corrupt CHINA and INDIA.

china is a self centered bigot bas.tard. They want to suck-dry this country by all bloody means. Letz go for US but i strongly believe our Citizens can do better if given the Opporunity

if GEJ can see all dis reform come to realisation, then he will surely get a second term!!! Damn d north and their quest for power!

Intelligence is the key to our development. I hope GEJ does bette than OBJ. OBJ remains the best president we ever had. [size=1pt]Onye Igbo na-ekwu.[/size]

I'll rather support the Japs over the because they have a high value for quality and honour. Can't say the same for chineese, indians and EVEN U.S. These countries (U.S inclusive wether anybody like it or not) are all self-centered and will only support the corrupt gov. for their gains alone. Nigerians will most likely pay more for the same level of service. As far as giving it to Nigerians, we just have to think twice considering the recent crises on the public coy sold by past OBJ administration.

neither me , [img]http://2.s07.flagcounter.com/count/DymW/bg=E6E6E5/txt=E6E6E5/border=E6E6E5/columns=1/maxflags=1/viewers=3/labels=0/[/img]
[img]http://s07.flagcounter.com/count/DymW/bg=E6E6E5/txt=E6E6E5/border=E6E6E5/columns=1/maxflags=1/viewers=3/labels=0/[/img]

My prayer is let this be true. The forces against the power sector in Nigeria are monstrous and needs a powerful investor like the US to contain. These forces are the Lebanese generator dealers and the ubiquitous China. If the US invests in this sector, they will protect their investment aggressively and intelligently.

For those against the US, please realize that America has her issues but that's just like every other people in a world where self interest comes first. However, no one can deny that the level of accountability and transparency in the way the US does business is still one of the best in the world.

Nigeria should open its options and look at the best offer on the table. I believe the Country can do a comprehensive Technical Options Appraisal on this issue and go for the best. An example is a research I picked up not too long ago that Japan might even be exploring the possibility of using LNG as an alternative to nuclear electricity power. Nigeria Produces LNG. These are some of the options Nigeria should be exploring as well.

I am kinda tired of all these: They will, They hope, they promise, etc

CyberG:

I do not imagine that the dumbest president Jonathan can succeed with power as he has no record of succeeding at anything. However, let me see if he can actually surprise Nigeria with actually doing something like Obasanjo. [b]One thing though is I hope Nnaji and Jonathan have enough sense not to hand over this sector to Non-Nigerians, it should be Nigerians first. [/b]Next, it would be better to let the US actualize their interest rather than China. China would do anything to sustain a corrupt system that benefits them more than Nigerians.

And who are these Nigerians that the power sectors should be handed over to? Government cronies, like Obassanjo did with the Steel Company?

Sales of power companies should be done on the basis of competency, track record, and capacity, not on sentiments, and some misplaced sense of patriotism, or favoritism. Nuff said.

ALL THOSE THAT HAVE CONTRIBUTED SO FAR IN THIS THREAD ARE VERY DU.MB AND SLOW THINKERS WHO HAVE MISSED OUT THE POINT OF THE GIST ON WHY THE USA WANTS TO INTERVENE IN OUR POWER SECTOR!

the reason why the USA is giving Nigeria "attention" and showing "concern" is 3 words:NUCLEAR NON-PROLIFERATION!

read the entire article,and that is the only valid reason.the USA does not care if Nigeria can produce its electricity or not.they dont care how much power we are able to generate.they dont care whether our economy progresses or falls back.all they care about is for third world countries especially a country like Nigeria they feel suspicious towards should not acquire nuclear energy.this is the same USA that has thousands of nuclear war-heads and the only country to have actually used atomic bombs on Japan.this is the same USA that is itself benefitting from nuclear energy to run their economy and produce the huge amount of electricity from nuclear plants.the USA also does not care whether you intend to use nuclear plants for peaceful energy purpose or for producing weapons of mass destruction.they simply dont want you to get it and get there.they want us to be doomed to using petrol and kerosene forever even when our wells run dry.and believe me,even when they take over the power sector,that is if they do,we will still be lacking behind because you cannot expect the best from the USA.the best is always preserved for herself and her allies in Europe.only them deserve sophisticated technology including nuclear plants that produce huge amount of energy to run their economies.and if you want to attempt to develop yours,you're not allowed to do so.you will be accused of committing "treason" or sponsoring terrorists.they will even declare you a "rogue state".

NIGERIA SHOULD BE VERY CAREFUL AND CAREFULLY STUDY EVERY WORD THE AMERICANS UTTER RELATING TO NIGERIA AND NIGERIANS.THEY ALWAYS HAVE DEEP MEANINGS AND THEY ARE VERY DECEPTIVE AND MANIPULATIVE.WE SHOULD ALWAYS ASK WHAT IS THE AMERICAN INTEREST FOR SHOWING INTEREST IN US.THEY ALWAYS HAVE THEIR WELL DRAFTED PLANS FOR EVERY COUNTRY IN THE WORLD.

the main problem with nigeria is that the country does not have a maintenance culture!!!

Onyocha:

ALL THOSE THAT HAVE CONTRIBUTED SO FAR IN THIS THREAD ARE VERY DU.MB AND SLOW THINKERS WHO HAVE MISSED OUT THE POINT OF THE GIST ON WHY THE USA WANTS TO INTERVENE IN OUR POWER SECTOR!

the reason why the USA is giving Nigeria "attention" and showing "concern" is 3 words:NUCLEAR NON-PROLIFERATION!

read the entire article,and that is the only valid reason.the USA does not care if Nigeria can produce its electricity or not.they dont care how much power we are able to generate.they dont care whether our economy progresses or falls back.all they care about is for third world countries especially a country like Nigeria they feel suspicious towards should not acquire nuclear energy.this is the same USA that has thousands of nuclear war-heads and the only country to have actually used atomic bombs on Japan.this is the same USA that is itself benefitting from nuclear energy to run their economy and produce the huge amount of electricity from nuclear plants.the USA also does not care whether you intend to use nuclear plants for peaceful energy purpose or for producing weapons of mass destruction.they simply dont want you to get it and get there.they want us to be doomed to using petrol and kerosene forever even when our wells run dry.and believe me,even when they take over the power sector,that is if they do,we will still be lacking behind because you cannot expect the best from the USA.the best is always preserved for herself and her allies in Europe.only them deserve sophisticated technology including nuclear plants that produce huge amount of energy to run their economies.and if you want to attempt to develop yours,you're not allowed to do so.you will be accused of committing "treason" or sponsoring terrorists.they will even declare you a "rogue state".

NIGERIA SHOULD BE VERY CAREFUL AND CAREFULLY STUDY EVERY WORD THE AMERICANS UTTER RELATING TO NIGERIA AND NIGERIANS.THEY ALWAYS HAVE DEEP MEANINGS AND THEY ARE VERY DECEPTIVE AND MANIPULATIVE.WE SHOULD ALWAYS ASK WHAT IS THE AMERICAN INTEREST FOR SHOWING INTEREST IN US.THEY ALWAYS HAVE THEIR WELL DRAFTED PLANS FOR EVERY COUNTRY IN THE WORLD.

BULLS EYE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

i couldn't agree more. Remember that the federal government was, last year, mulling the use of nuclear power to address our electricity problems.

Onyocha:

ALL THOSE THAT HAVE CONTRIBUTED SO FAR IN THIS THREAD ARE VERY DU.MB AND SLOW THINKERS

You have just called yourself an i.diot. And that's where I stopped reading. You may have to try again.

Thank Godu ooo! Oyinbo don agree to help us. I hope they teach our first class and prof how to push the buttons in energy plants.

dumb! dumb!! dumb!!!

Africans cannot build Africa, either we like it or not whiteman are the only one that can build africa. truth is better.

50 yrs nothing to show, only talk and big big title.

It is only God that giveth light, He only can take away the sun and moon to make thee a light not Americans, Until thy leaders shuns iniquity thy land will be covered with darkness. Nigeria take heed and make creed to do thy will of thy God and depart from the fortress of sins that has plague thee, Be hopeful because from the deepest of your darkness will thy God bring forth a light which all the earth shall see and proclaim the name of the living God, forever and ever, I deliver my creed upon the parchment of your conscience, seek the insight of what thou sayeth and relate same to those that seeth and speaketh truth without fear and wisdom. Let the wise know this and the foolish blab, for what killeth a fool lies within him.

Onyocha:

ALL THOSE THAT HAVE CONTRIBUTED SO FAR IN THIS THREAD ARE VERY DU.MB AND SLOW THINKERS WHO HAVE MISSED OUT THE POINT OF THE GIST ON WHY THE USA WANTS TO INTERVENE IN OUR POWER SECTOR!

Its a pity every conversation here ends in insults. Everyone is entitled to their opinion - no matter how "simple" it appears. Thats democracy. Yours is a very reasonable point but can be disproved as well.

The fact an idea can be disproved does not make you a slow thinker but someone who has offered an opinion which does not exactly address an issue very well.

Lets be adults at this. I have nothing to say to this so far but I am enjoying the flow.

;d ;d ;d ;d ;d ;d ;d

no country will invest in another country unless they have something to gain. The investors in America will only best in you if there is something to gain from you. Same with all the other countries mentioned. if the United States of America wants to invest in the power sector, they we only do it through their companies; the government would not directly invests in any business.
These companies will only invest if they can see profit; and they can be as corrupt as any other company in the world. Remember the Haliburton affair, involving the former vice president(Atiku). Simply because a company comes from a particular country does not guarantee good business practices.

It is our leaders who need to get their act together and scrutinise whatever companies they give contracts to; making sure that these companies implement the contract to the letter.

We do not want USA in our country. They are like a plague cos everywhere they have being have always being infested with problems. They always claim to want to help but on the long run always cause more problems. This is not a fanatic issue or propaganda, it is just the plain truth which we can all see except we want to deny. Naija has a enough problems already.

We should start taking responsibilities for our problems and stop blaming the Americans or the west.  Nigeria is not an island, we live in a global world hence there are a lot of international businesses and trading going on among countries in the world. there is nothing wrong if an american company wants to bid for the power transmission contract in nigeria, it's just like when MTN was bidding for GSM license back then.

The question nigerians should be asking is WHY ARE SOME OF THE INTERNATIONAL COMPANIES THAT ARE DOING VERY WELL IN OTHER COUNTRIES INCLUDING COUNTRIES LIKE GHANA, ANGOLA ALWAYS HAS PROBLEM TO PERFORM WHEN THEY COME TO NIGERIA?   a good example is the halliburton scandal, the answer is simple: our system is corrupt in nigeria.
The problems in our power sector is pretty simple if the government really wants to sort it out, the solution is to do what we did in the radio/tv broadcasting sector and the telecommunication sector that is: give 3 or 4 different power company (local or international) licenses to install generation, transmission and distribution station, this will give nigerians(consumers) the chance to choose between the power company of their choice thereby creating competition among the power companies which will eventually drive down price, then gradually the government can start increasing the number of power companies they give licenses to. In britian there are over 15 power companies to pick and choose from, making it a win win situation for the consumers.

WE DID IT IN OUR BROADCASTING AND TELECOMMUNICATION SECTOR, I BELIEVE WE CAN ALSO DO THE SAME IN THE POWER SECTOR WHEN OUR GOVERNMENT ARE READY. IT'S NOT ROCKET SCIENCE, AFTER ALL WE TOO DON GET SATELLITE FOR SPACE NOW.