ABUJA -- Nigeria has announced two major initiatives aimed at improving its woeful electricity supply, entering a $1.3 billion power plant deal with China and on Monday handing over state power assets to private investors.
The privatization of most of state electricity firm PHCN has long been in the works in Africa's most populous nation, where blackouts occur multiple times daily despite the country's status as the continent's largest oil producer.
Those taking over assets include Seoul-based Korea Electric Power Corp. as well as local investors.
Separately, the deal with the Chinese government involves construction of a hydroelectric plant expected to add 700 megawatts to the national grid.
A loan from China's Export-Import Bank will pay for 75% of the plant while the Nigerian government will cover 25% of the cost, the finance ministry said.
It is not clear if the new plant will remain in state hands or if it too will be privatized.
Nigeria has portrayed the privatization of electricity generation and distribution as a reform capable of finally bringing steady power supplies to the country, where businesses are forced to rely on diesel generators to cope.
President Goodluck Jonathan on Monday handed over operating licences to investors for most of the companies created from the splitting up of the former Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN).
Jonathan, at a brief ceremony also attended by top government officials, ceded ownership of four of the six generation companies and 10 of the 11 distribution firms after raking in about $2.5 billion from their bids.
A power generation firm not part of PHCN was also handed over, while various issues are yet to be resolved for the two other generation firms and one distribution firm.
Nigeria will retain ownership of the national grid, but privatize its management. Canada's Manitoba Hydro International was named its manager for three years in 2012.
"Today, therefore, not only concludes legal transactions, it is a day of hope, a day of promise and a new beginning for one of the most vital sectors of our national economy," Jonathan said.
"We do not expect the sector to be revitalized overnight but we can all look forward to a better time very soon as we have seen in the telecommunications and banking sectors."
The privatization of telecommunications in Nigeria is generally credited with bringing improved service and accessibility to the country.
However, critics have expressed concerns that many of the bidders for power assets have been politically connected barons in Nigeria and questioned whether the assets will be properly managed.
Copyright Agence France-Presse, 2013
