By oscarline Onwuemenyi

ABUJA – The Federal Government has directed the immediate and unconditional release of all power project equipment being detained at the ports by the Nigerian Customs Service.

Jonathan

The Minister of State for Power, Arc. Nuhu Wya announced this on Friday when the National Executive of the Nigeria Association of Chambers of Commerce, Mines and Agriculture, NACCIMA paid him a courtesy call in his office.

He explained that the Government has decided to go extra mile because “a desperate problem requires a desperate solution adding that the present administration would do whatever that is humanly possible to put smile on the faces of Nigerians through provision of one single item very dear to their life – electricity.”

On the monetization arrears of the PHCN workers, Minister Wya told NACCIMA that the Federal Government has paid 45 billion Naira of the 57 billion Naira (payment is still on-going) adding that “We have not privatized PHCN yet because the President as a leader with a human face, directed that we must successfully negotiate the welfare of our workers in PHCN before the privatization process is concluded.”

Wya announced that by the end of the year, domestic gas will cost USD I per million square cubic feet (mscf) adding that the President has approved a different gas regime for the industrial sector to catalyse industrial growth through optional operation and production.

The Minister challenged NACCIMA to lead the Private Sector in the drive for the privatization of the Power Sector.  “You are the engine block of industrial development, as in other nations and therefore should be on the driving seat of Nigeria’s industrial rejuvenation.

On next year’s election, the Minister noted that “The Power Sector Reform Act was passed in 2005 and that as a Rule of Law compliant administration, we will not be deterred by criticisms of our political detractors in implementing a reform legally established by the National Assembly to ignite life in the economy.  Embrace the new dawn in the country.

“This government has the will to carry out what Nigerians want and we will not succumb to blackmail and mindless diatribes.” Wya charged.