Posted: Tue Jul 03, 2007 6:14 am Post subject: Embassies Hold 2nd Abuja Diplomatic Business Forum
Embassies Hold 2nd Abuja Diplomatic Business Forum
Daily Trust
Elkanah Chawai
26 June 2007
The Embassies of Switzerland, Turkey, Israel and Romania in Abuja, in conjunction with Nwankwo-Ikwueto Law Firm, on Friday held the second Abuja Diplomatic Business Forum which explored public and private partnership (PPP) as a vehicle of sustainable development in Nigeria.
The Swiss Ambassador to Nigeria, Dr Pierre Helg, said that it was necessary to create a network through the forum after many foreign companies and diplomats moved to Abuja.
He said: "it is about some countries that have few companies active in Abuja. Previously, some of these diplomats and companies were in Lagos but now companies are moving to Abuja and they are having their administrative headquarters in Abuja. We thought it necessary to create a kind of network between these business people who don't know each other and don't know diplomats. The intention is also to invite resource persons and help the business companies interact with their Nigerian counterparts; to make a kind of vibrant informal centre of discussion of officials who can attract key people in the government and the private sector."
He said that the embassies were investing the forum for the mutual interests of their countries and Nigeria and to increase economic relations. He said that the forum, since its maiden edition, has impacted on business between Nigeria and other countries, adding that the Nigerian embassy in Switzerland for example has recorded increase in business visas partly as a result of networking.
The guest speaker, Dr Ransome Owan, Chairman of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), said PPP allows for greater delivery of public infrastructure and added that the government needs new capital from the private sector for infrastructure development.
Making a case for PPP in the power sector, Dr Owan said that the power sector is capital intensive which the government have limited funding, adding the private sector participation is the backbone of poverty alleviation in the country. He added that industries will operate at full capacity when the power sector is up and running by the private sector.
Speaking on the epileptic supply of electricity after the kick off of PPP in the power sector, Dr Owan said that there is no magic solution for power problems in Nigeria, saying that consistent investment in the power sector only started very recently in sector that requires long gestation period for investments. He said erratic supply of gas and previous starvation of the industry of fund led to declining assets.
He said that licences have been issued to the private sector for generation and distribution of power and but added that the government is keeping the transmission of power under full government control. He said that the transmission of power will be the responsibility of the government to extend the network of electricity and stated that the transmission lines will be a highway for equal participation where companies pay the government to transmit power.
Dr Owan stated that many investment abound the power sector and listed potentials like solar power in northern states, coal power in Enugu, Kogi and Plateau State; wind energy in Kastina State; prospecting for gas in Lake Chad Basin; and transmission lines.
_________________ May we be strengthened with the ability, willingness and capabilities to be good ambassadors of Nigeria contributing to its uplifting, rather than its detriment. - Cxsm
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