ABUJA, Nigeria, Aug. 27 (UPI) -- Engaging the private sector is the only way to overhaul the energy sector in Nigeria, said President Goodluck Jonathan.
Jonathan said the government would present a roadmap to overhaul the country's energy sector to lawmakers Monday. The measure would overhaul the energy sector by giving the government control over the national electric company while privatizing the part of the energy sector in charge of power generation and distribution, Nigerian newspaper Next reports.
The president said the work was started by his predecessors, who were unable to get legal backing for the move by Nigerian lawmakers.
Jonathan said the government could not solve the problems plaguing the energy sector alone.
"Government is convinced that it is only by productively engaging the private sector as partners in this journey that we can be assured of success in our resolve to provide a viable power sector reform, and I hope that our efforts will get the support and understanding of all stakeholders in achieving profound success," he said.
The national power company in Nigeria estimated early this year that around 5,000 megawatts of power capacity was idled because of a lack of natural gas to power turbines. Rolling blackouts were reported throughout the country during the spring.
