As part of strategies to revive Nigeria’s power sector, the Federal Government says it has provided N40billion ($115.6million) to settle outstanding electricity bills owed by ministries and agencies.

According to the Minister of Budget and National Planning, Udoma Udo Udoma (photo), the gesture was imperative as the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) predicted in the 2017 budget would not be effective without a sustainable power sector. “In order to do that, it is important that every segment of the power sector is commercialized so that the government itself is making sure to settle its bills to the Discos to make sure that power is effective. So, we are looking at N40 billion to settle some of the bills MDAs have in the power sector,’’ he said.

In addition, the government intends to invest N9.5billion ($27.5million) in rural electrification projects in Federal universities, N10billion ($29million) for the construction of 3, 050MW Mambilla hydropower project and another N10.02billion ($29.1million) to complete the power evacuation facility for the 400MW Kashimbila hydropower plant.

Anita Fatunji