Leadership (Abuja)
Blessing Uduehi
12 November 2009
Abuja — In its determination to develop coal-related infrastructure to boost power supply in the country, the federal government has restated the need to extend its energy base to coal. Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, stated this yesterday in Abuja, when a delegation of experts from the Coal Energy Limited Consortium paid her a visit. According to Diezani, "It is quite obvious that Nigeria needs to diversify its energy base because there is no country in the world that is not utilising its coal. We need ideas on the development of coal powered generation capacity as an alternative to the existing generating capacity." She also said that the federal government will be pragmatic in its approach in solving the power situation in the country, saying "it will be wonderful if we can derive a lot from the team, especially with the readiness of the ministry of power." Speaking on the proposal for a coal power plant in Nigeria, the leader of the delegation, Mr. Slawomir Zakrzewki, said his country (Poland) has over 40, 000mw including about 96 per cent of the power produced from coal. According to Slawomir, "The Nigerian mission in Poland has intimated various members of our consortium that the current administration has prioritised investment in the development of power related infrastructure...and we have since met with various parties to discuss the possibilities." and opportunities in the areas of coal asset acquisition and development in Nigeria."
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