By Etuka Sunday
The Minister of Power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo has assured the commitment of the Federal Government to the Memorandum of Understanding that was signed between Nigeria and South Africa by President Goodluck Jonathan last year.
Nebo while receiving the South African delegation, led by Dr. Zwelini Mkhize, former Premier of Kwazulu-Natal and Treasurer General of the ANC, reminded the South Africans that issues like coal – to -power, gas – to – power, energy metering, exchange of technical staff, capacity building, power sector road shows, exhibition and conferences were all captured in the MoU. In a statement by the Deputy Director, Press, Timothy Oyedeji, the Minster said, “we are ready to work together in all the areas identified as it is in the interest of both countries to provide the necessary impetus that will have multiplier or geometric effects, not arithmetic effects on the continent of Africa, as our countries are carrying the load for the entire continent, hence much is expected from us.”
He assured that his Ministry is not only committed to, but open to genuine ideas that will be mutually beneficial. “We are concerned about local content; we must share technical and professional ideas in
engineering, technical know-how which will leapfrog us to meet the rest of the world. We must advance our mutual interests”. He recalled that during Mr. President’s visit, at least 9 other MoUs were signed. They all aimed at Mr. President’s intention to rebrand and transform the Nigerian economy. He called on the South African Ambassador to do his best in the quest of South Africa’s continuous leadership position in South Africa Development Community (SADC). The Minister of State, Hon. Muhammed Wakil, underscore his own comment on the need for an interface between politics and good governance. The ANC, which the leader of the delegation is the Treasurer General is described as the oldest political group in Africa, while the PDP, as the largest party in Africa have been involved in a lot of exchange programmes and capacity building aimed at repositioning the parties for better service delivery.
He reminded the South African delegation that as leaders we are expected to work for our people, so nothing should be left to chances in the services of our fatherland.
Earlier, Dr. Zwelini Mkhize, a frontline member of the ANC and its Treasurer General, while briefing the Ministers, said his visit is to explore collaborative areas so as to move forward the content of the MoU that was signed in South Africa last year. He informed his audience that there are two developments in the South Africa energy sector that informed his visit. One is that the C.E.O of
the Eskom (the monopoly electricity company) recently resigned, a second being that with President Zuma’s second tenure, a new Minister is now in charge of the energy sector, the need to fill these gaps cannot be over-emphasized.
“We are ready to work together with the Nigerian team in all areas identified. It is indeed a response to the huge demand for South Africa businessmen to build a long lasting relationship with Nigeria.”
To this effect, the Treasurer-General, (ANC) said that his delegation is interested in facilitating business opportunities in the power sector.
He agreed with the Minister of Power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo that the time has come for Africa to have control over its resources, and indeed skills that will enable the continent build indigenous framework for its development.
The Minister now directed that a high powered delegation comprising the new owners, some other businessmen interested in power and officials from relevant power sector agencies to be led by the Minister of State, Hon. Mohammed Wakil to visit South Africa soon.
