Nigeria-German Partnership Discusses Nigeria’s Energy Problems

As more attention is being focused on the troubled energy sector in Nigeria, a 35-member strong German delegation, drawn from government and industry, has attended the 5th Conference of the Nigerian-German Partnership in Abuja. Led by the State Secretary of the German Federation Foreign officer, Dr. Peter Ammon, the delegation joined their Nigerian counterparts in the two-day conference aimed at proffering solutions to the energy challenges in Nigeria.

Hosted and organised by the Nigerian Energy Council, the conference welcomed the success already achieved in the sector, including the capacity building scheme the German government financed last year to the tune of N82 million. In the wake of the progress achieved by the Partnership, the German government is targeting as a next step loan financing to support rehabilitation of the Kainji hydropower plant and is considering further financial and technical assistance for the Nigerian power sector.

The conference was formally opened by Minister of State for Power Nuhu Wya, who brought greetings to the members from the Vice-President Namadi Sambo. The conference was chaired by a Nigerian-German tandem in line with the partnership's policy of discussions among equals.

The conference hinged on close discussions between the Germans and their Nigerian counterparts on implementation of a portfolio of projects, and in particular on the implementation and realisation of five flagship projects: gas gathering primarily for domestic use under the terms of the gas master plan; finalisation of the extension of the Geregu power plant by 434 MW; deployment of small heavy-fuel oil power stations; erection of a coal-fired power plant; rehabilitation/extension of large-scale and construction of small hydropower plants.

A statement by the Press Attache at the Germany Embassy in Abuja, Dr. Burkard Weth, said the Nigerian Government is in the process of committing substantial assets and financial resources to these projects, adding that the conference resolved that an eight-person working group should monitor and fast-track implementation of the NGEP projects. A delegation from the conference was received by President Goodluck Jonathan.