Nigeria: Nebo - 'I Inherited a Divided Ministry of Power'

17 December 2013

The Minister of Power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo, has for the first time since he took over as Nigeria's substantive minister of power, disclosed the working condition that existed in the ministry upon his assumption. Commenting on the state of affairs in the ministry when he came on board, Nebo who was appointed following the resignation of his immediate predecessor, Prof. Barth Nnaji in August 2012 said: "I inherited a divided ministry where everyone did what was in his or her interests; everyone did his or her own things but thank God, we have being able to change things and stir up the working relationship of workers in the ministry." Speaking the privatisation of PHCN successor companies, Nebo however noted that one of the key threats to the exercise was the issue of settlement of labour-related issues which he said could have marred the privatisation process if it had not been managed well by key players in the sector.

"The issue of labour alone could have frustrated anybody. We had a situation where we were working hand in glove until the unions saw our sincerity and that we were sincere and willing to work out a beneficial outcome for all before they were able to trust us," he explained. He also stated that the sector would eventually overcome its teething challenges, adding: "There are teething problems and many people were sacked by the new owners but I believe we will attain a cruising height where people can then relax and see the sector grow.

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