Electricity: U.S. “Power Africa” Coordinator to visit Nigeria
NAN-H-111
Energy
By Isaac Aregbesola
Abuja, Feb. 10, 2017 (NAN) The Coordinator of U.S. Government’s multiagency, “Power Africa Initiative”, Andrew Herscowitz, is expected to arrive Nigeria on Sunday to meet with government top officials and other stakeholders in the power sector.
A statement by the U.S. Embassy on Friday said Herscowitz was on a four-day official visit from Feb. 12 to 15 on improving access to electricity in Nigeria.
“The envoy has been Power Africa Coordinator since the initiative was launched in 2013.
“Herscowitz is also expected to visit non-governmental and private sectors working to improve delivery and institutionalise administration of electrical services in Nigeria.
“He is scheduled to meet with Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, and visit various agencies responsible for delivery of electrical services”.
The statement quoted Herscowitz as saying “Power Africa brings together stakeholders from around the world to work in partnership to increase the number of people with access to power both on and off the grid”.
The scheme, according to him, assembles technical and legal experts, the private sector and governments to work together.
“In 2017, 95 million more than half of Nigerians still do not have access to electricity, and those that are connected suffer from extensive power outages.
“A lack of a reliable and affordable supply of electricity impacts every facet of life in Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country.
“Businesses routinely cite the cost of electricity as the principal drain on profitability, and schools and health clinics often operate without electricity for prolonged periods or rely on costly diesel generators,” he said.
According to him, more than a decade ago, Nigeria embarked on a three-phased structural reform that culminated in privatisation of the country’s main electricity generation and distribution assets.
He said Power Africa played a key role assisting the Government of Nigeria to address these goals, while helping secure financing to add 450 megawatts to Nigeria’s grid by late 2018.
“Power Africa’s goals are ambitious but achievable because we work in partnership.
“By bringing together the world’s top companies, political leaders and financial institutions, Power Africa is helping Nigeria keep the lights on,” Herscowitz said. (NAN)
IAA/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola