Former Minister of Power, Prof. Bartholomew Nnaji has urged the government to speed up the implementation of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), to improve the power sector.
Speaking at the General Electric (GE) Conference on the challenges facing the power sector and how the GE innovative machinery is responding to the power shortage in the country, he said the incentives that should attract investors to boost gas supply and help power reform are imbedded in the PIB.
He noted that investors are fast patronizing the oil and gas sector, and if in the next 5-10 years the bill is passed, the country will be in a position to export gas product to other countries.
According to the Senior Performance Monitor, Nigeria Integrated Power Project (NIPP) Engr. Chike Madueke, there is insufficient human capital to boost the power sector, although a good make-up in human resources and manpower can help transform the oil and gas sector in the country.
In a statement, the Minister suggested that the Ministry of Power and Environment should come together to form a policy that would guide their operations as there is an over-regulation in the gas sector, and all of this should be addressed in the PIB.
He stressed that the state of education, especially in the tertiary institutions in the country, is in chaos and needs urgent attention. In his opinion, he noted that the solution to inefficiency in the power and gas sector is rooted in the aged, and an upgraded use of equipment facilities would meet up with international standards.
“The urgent need to revitalize the educational infrastructure in the country and the deployment of advance technologies will improve power supply in the nation.” He commented.
