The Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) have rejected the sale of some power plants in the country as they have gone to court to stop the privatization of 10 power plants by the federal government.
In a communique, the NGF said its lawyers have taken steps to prevent the Federal Government from selling 10 National Integrated Power Projects (NIPPs).
The Niger Delta Power Holding Company, which is owned by the federal, state, and local government councils, is a power generation and distribution company that oversees the implementation of the NIPPs.
Recall that in April 2021, the National Council on Privatisation approved the adoption of a fast-track strategy for the privatisation of 5 power plants.
They are: Geregu, Omotosho, Olorunsogo, Calabar and Benin-Ihovbor.
However, the 36 state governors through their chairman, Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State released a statement on Wednesday, November 23, 2022, after a teleconference meeting held on Tuesday to express their displeasure over the FG’s move.
The statement read in part,
“The Forum, following its advocacy that the proposed privatisation of 10 National Integrated Power Projects (NIPPs) by the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) should be stopped, instructed its lawyers to approach the Federal High Court which, at present has issued a court order restraining all the parties in the suit from taking any step or action that will make or render the outcome of the motion on notice seeking for interlocutory injunction nugatory.
“The effect of the order of the court is that respondents cannot proceed with the proposed sale of the power plants belonging to the Niger Delta Power Holding Company Limited (NDPHCL) until the hearing and determination of the motion on notice for interlocutory injunction.”
