Senator Danjuma Goje has urged the federal government to consider handing over Nigeria’s power sector to China or another advanced country for 20 years as part of efforts to address the country’s electricity challenges.
Goje made the suggestion on Wednesday during the screening of Joseph Olasunkanmi Tegbe as the new minister of power on the floor of the Nigerian Senate.
Speaking during the session, the former Gombe State governor said Nigeria should set aside pride and seek practical solutions to its long-running electricity crisis.
“The best thing to do, in my opinion, and in the opinion of some others, is to swallow our pride. Call on one of the major, successful, advanced countries, preferably China, because their cost of labour and cost generally is low,” Goje said.
He proposed that the federal government enter into a long-term arrangement that would allow the foreign country to manage the entire power value chain in Nigeria.
“Give them this project of power in Nigeria, running for 20 years. Give us stable power, get your money back, and move out,” he said.
According to him, stable electricity remains central to Nigeria’s economic growth and development.
“And within these 20 years, we’ll have stable power, and you know the meaning of stable power; it means real development. All other areas will work perfectly, and we’ll get it right,” he added.
Goje argued that piecemeal reforms in different parts of the power sector have failed to solve the country’s electricity problems.
Referring to existing partnerships, he said focusing on one segment at a time only shifts the crisis elsewhere.
“But when you go to Siemens, Siemens will take one section of the power sector, and it will do something about transmission,” he said.
“By the time they finish transmission, the problem will erupt in the generation.
“Then they’ll go to generation. After generation, the problem will erupt in distribution, like you said. These days, even transformers are not provided by the distribution companies.”
The senator advised Tegbe to consider a broader approach if confirmed as power minister. “So, Mr. nominee, when you’re appointed and you go to Minister of Power, I want you to ponder over this idea of wholesale, getting into agreement with an advanced country like China, or any other country, but preferably China,” he said.
“Come and have a look at our power sector wholesale. Generation, transmission, distribution, and see how we can get it right, at least for the next 20 years.”
Goje said Nigeria is already familiar with borrowing and financing large projects, noting that such an arrangement could be structured for long-term returns.
“And then, whatever the cost it is, I think it’s worth doing it. We are already used to taking debts. If this is not debt, it will be called contorted finance.
“They will run the business, make their money, and leave us with a stable light. I want you to ponder about this thing. Like I said, it’s a crude idea, but I believe it is workable,” Goje said.
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