The Senate on Wednesday confirmed the nominations of Prof.
Chinedu Nebo and Kabiru Taminu Turaki as ministers of the Federal Republic of
Nigeria after subjecting them to a screening session of questions and answers.
Chinedu Nebo and Kabiru Taminu Turaki as ministers of the Federal Republic of
Nigeria after subjecting them to a screening session of questions and answers.
Both nominees in their separate
sessions on the floor of the Senate, spoke on issues bordering on security,
power, education and politics.
sessions on the floor of the Senate, spoke on issues bordering on security,
power, education and politics.
Nebo from Enugu State, who was former
Vice Chancellor of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, while speaking on the
challenges in the power sector, said “uninterrupted power supply is not a
mirage.”
Vice Chancellor of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, while speaking on the
challenges in the power sector, said “uninterrupted power supply is not a
mirage.”
He noted that with the unbundling of
the Power Holding Company, there were a lot of opportunities for improvements
in the power sector.
the Power Holding Company, there were a lot of opportunities for improvements
in the power sector.
Nebo said, “Looking at what Nigeria
is trying to do, we are planning to generate 40,000 megawatts by 2020, but when
you look at the capacity of Nigeria to absorb electricity, that will not be
enough.”
is trying to do, we are planning to generate 40,000 megawatts by 2020, but when
you look at the capacity of Nigeria to absorb electricity, that will not be
enough.”
He said there was the need for more
IPPs to be involved, arguing that with increased opportunities, even those who lost
out in the bidding process of the sale of PHCN, could start their own
infrastructure in participating in power generation, transmission and
distribution.
IPPs to be involved, arguing that with increased opportunities, even those who lost
out in the bidding process of the sale of PHCN, could start their own
infrastructure in participating in power generation, transmission and
distribution.
On dealing with alleged ‘mafia’ group
in the power sector, Nebo noted that God would empower him to chase out the
mafia, which he termed “demons and witches.”
in the power sector, Nebo noted that God would empower him to chase out the
mafia, which he termed “demons and witches.”
He said, “Some highly placed
Nigerians believe that when there is outage, it is caused by witches and
demons.
Nigerians believe that when there is outage, it is caused by witches and
demons.
“If the President deploys me in the
power sector, I believe that given my performance at the University of Nigeria
Nsukka, where I drove out the witches and demons, God will also give me the
power to drive out the demons in the power sector.”
power sector, I believe that given my performance at the University of Nigeria
Nsukka, where I drove out the witches and demons, God will also give me the
power to drive out the demons in the power sector.”
He lamented that while South Africa
generates 40,000 megawatts for its 40million population, Nigeria is still
battling with 4,000 megawatts for about 170 million of her people.
generates 40,000 megawatts for its 40million population, Nigeria is still
battling with 4,000 megawatts for about 170 million of her people.
Turaki on his part, called for the
training of the military deployed for assignments in terrorists prone areas of
the country to enable them to relate well with civil authorities.
training of the military deployed for assignments in terrorists prone areas of
the country to enable them to relate well with civil authorities.
He said the problem of insecurity
could be tackled through a close collaboration between the agencies, while
shunning inter agency rivalry.
could be tackled through a close collaboration between the agencies, while
shunning inter agency rivalry.
He expressed support for the
deployment of troops to Mali, saying that the funding and training for
insurgents in the country are located in Mali.
deployment of troops to Mali, saying that the funding and training for
insurgents in the country are located in Mali.
“Nigeria should attack the base of
the terrorists in Mali, because only Niger stands between Nigeria and Mali. If
we don’t join other nations to fight the terrorists in Mali, they can find
their way into Niger and then into Nigeria,” he said.
the terrorists in Mali, because only Niger stands between Nigeria and Mali. If
we don’t join other nations to fight the terrorists in Mali, they can find
their way into Niger and then into Nigeria,” he said.
Speaking on the decay in the Police
Force, Turaki noted that “the problems facing the Nigerian Police are so
legendary. The decay had gone on for so long a time. It is easy to destroy, but
rebuilding will take some more time.”
Force, Turaki noted that “the problems facing the Nigerian Police are so
legendary. The decay had gone on for so long a time. It is easy to destroy, but
rebuilding will take some more time.”
Source: Punch
