Governors to review proposals on power sector reform

Governors of the 36 states of the federation have resolved to review proposals on power secctor reforms.

This followed the presentations by Special Adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari on Infrastructure and Secretary, Power Sector Reform Working Group, Mr. Zakari Ahmed, during the governors’ meeting on Wednesday night.

According to a communique issued on Thursday, by Governor of Ekiti State and Chairman of the Nigerian Forum (NGF), Kayode Fayemi, Zakari delivered an update on activities of key electricity sector reforms, including the transfer of DISCO equity to states.

Others, according to the communique, were transition strategies for electricity subsidies and the management of state and local government ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) outstanding electricity bills.

The governors also deliberated on how to address the industrial action by members of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) and the Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN).

The communique reads in part, “Following the presentation, the Forum resolved to review the proposals submitted by Mr. Zakari and communicate their position to the Power Sector Reform Working Group on a later date.

“The Programme Manager Federal Ministry of Finance Budget and National Planning (FMFBNP) SFTAS Programme Coordination Unit, Mrs. Oyindamola Adedokun, briefed the Forum on the efforts to ensure part-disbursement for the COVID-19 related Disbursement Linked Results (DLRs) of the SFTAS programme be made in 2021.

“She highlighted to the governors the progress of the states on the upcoming DLRs and 2021 Annual Performance Assessment (APA) Eligibility Criterion (2020 Audited Financial Statement), while informing them of the fast-approaching deadlines.

“Understanding the importance of the fiscal reforms required by the DLRs, and the EC being an eligibility condition for the 2021 phase of the programme, the governors committed to accelerating ongoing efforts to meet the deadlines.”