Prof. Nebo Inherited A "Divided Ministry of Power," Everyone Catered To "Their Own Interests"

For the first time, Professor Chinedu Nebo reveals working conditions that existed when he took over as Nigeria's substantive Minister of Power. Prof. Nebo was appointed after his immediate predecessor, Professor Barth Nnaji, resigned in August 2012.

Describing the state of affairs in the Ministry, Nebo said:

"I inherited a divided ministry where everyone did what was in his or her interests, everyone did his or her own things. But, thank God, we have being able to change things and stir up the working relationship of workers in the ministry."

Speaking on the issue of privatisation of PHCN successor companies, Nebo noted that one of the key threats to the exercise was settlement of labour-related questions. These problems, he said, could have marred the privatisation process if it had not been managed well by key players in the sector.

"The issue of labour alone could have frustrated anybody. We had a situation where we were working hand in glove until the unions saw our sincerity and that we were sincere and willing to work out a beneficial outcome for all before they were able to trust us," he explained.

The sector would eventually overcome its teething challenges, Prof. Nebo assured, and added:

"There are teething problems and many people were sacked by the new owners.

"But I believe we will attain a cruising height where people can then relax and see the sector grow

"The Rural Electrification Agency was marked out for extinction, but the President refused to do that but decided to go with the white paper that recommended the reformation of REA."