The Federal Government is evaluating bids from investors who want to participate in the procurement and installation of the N72billion power equipment for generation of 2,000 megawatts (Mw), Power, Works and Housing Minister has said.
Speaking in Abuja, Fashola expressed the government’s commitment to investing the huge cash in the deal.
He said as 40 per cent shareholder, the government had advertised and had been receiving encouraging responses from equipment manufacturers.
The minister also said: “In order to bridge the metering gap, government has settled an inherited court case and is able to make available N37 billion to Meter Asset Providers (MAP) under regulations made by Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to license meter entrepreneurs to help supply meters that the Distribution Companies (DisCos) are under contract to supply but are as yet unable to fully discharge.
“The regulations require DisCos to contract with their MAPs in order to promote a harmonious relationship and reduce friction and disputes.’’
Fashola continued: “In order to accelerate supply to industries and heavy consumers, government, through my office, pursuant to powers conferred by Section 27 of the EPSRA declared eligible customer, which was to enable people who consumed 2MW and above, who were not getting power because of lack of distribution equipment, invest in the provision of the equipment and take power directly from GENCOs who had the power.
“The DisCos initially resisted and are giving reluctant co-operation to a policy meant to supply power to people they cannot supply.
“All of you will remember, of course, that NERC, (not the Ministry of Power or the Minister), approved a tariff increase for the sector. When the public complained it was I, not the Discos, who stood in the forefront of explaining to the public. Yet it is the DisCos who collect the tariff.”
