Nigeria’s Energy Transition Plan has the support of the Developing Eight Organization for Economic Cooperation (D-8) member nations.
In order to turn around the fortunes of Nigerian power sector reform efforts for improved performance, some directors of the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading (NBET) PLC recently traveled to the Republic of Turkey to sign a partnership agreement with Energy Exchange Istanbul (EXIST), a leading Turkish energy firm. This was made known by the Secretary-General of D-8, Ambassador Isiaka Imam.
The Federal Government’s delegation was led by the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Power, Mr. Nebolisa Anako, to the D-8 Secretariat in Istanbul, Turkey.
Imam, who received the NBET’s directors, updated them on the various programmes and activities of the D-8 organization since his assumption of duty early this year.
A statement from the Press Office of the D-8 Organization for Economic Cooperation, yesterday in Abuja and signed by Mr. Ilham Uludag, said Imam praised the initiative of the Federal Government for entering into partnership EXIST.
Imam said this would further concretize the efforts of the D-8 organization to scale up intra-cooperation among member countries.
The statement reads: “The step being taken by the Federal Government of Nigeria by going into partnership with a company in one of our member countries to solve its electricity problems gladdens our hearts, and this is the type of initiative we are encouraging and ready to support in our organization.”
The Secretary-General emphasized the key importance of the energy sector towards achieving the goals of economic growth in D-8 member countries and pledged the support of the organization for Nigeria’s energy transition plan.
He said the organization would be holding its first sectoral meeting on energy in Iran later this year and enjoined NBET to participate along with the Nigerian delegation.
He promised to liaise with member countries for capacity building programmes with NBET in energy.
Earlier, Anako thanked the SG for accepting his team and used the opportunity to share information on the role of NBET in the country’s power sector.
The Director General of the Budget Office of the Federation, Mr. Ben Akabueze; the Director General of the Debt Management Office of Nigeria, Ms. Patience Oniha; and the MD/CEO of NBET, Mr. Nnaemeka Ewelukwa were all part of the delegation from Nigeria that accompanied Mr. Anako.
Mr. Onder Yol, Chairman of ZY Electric Company in Turkey, was present during the visit to introduce his organization, discuss its projects in the field of renewable energy, and explore opportunities for cooperation with the Nigerian government.
