Nigeria Content Online

A Joint Nigeria-Brazil Energy
Cooperation Working Group was yesterday inaugurated by the Vice
President, Namadi Sambo. The group is to enhance bio potentials in the
country.

Speaking at the inauguration of the
committee in the State House, Abuja, Mr Sambo noted that this is part
of the policy of the current administration to develop the key sectors
of the economy, stating that to attain Vision 20:2020, adequate
infrastructure must be put in place.

He noted that since the federal
government is seeking to accelerate development of the hydro potential
in the country, exploring synergies with Brazil was a welcome idea, as
it has comparative advantage in a variety of areas, including hydro
power generation, renewable energy and deep water exploration.

Need for coordination

He urged the committee to “fast track
the process of preparing the final position of the agreement as Brazil
will be going to elections soon”, noting that “in the past, bilateral
agreements have suffered delays due to lack of proper coordination”.

The vice president noted the need for
raising a technical team to proceed to Brazil, stressing that “to
express our determination toward the success of the Joint Cooperation,
our actions should determine our seriousness.” He disclosed that Brazil
had indicated interest in partnering with Nigeria toward ensuring an
accelerated completion of the Zungeru Hydro Power plant and that the
Mambilla hydro power plant has been incorporated into the bilateral
agreement, which Brazil is willing to bankroll from the scratch on a
turnkey basis.

He added that they are also interested in oil and gas, including bio-fuels, power and capacity building.

The agreement for Nigeria-Brazil Energy
Cooperation was signed in July, 2009 and President Goodluck Jonathan
had urged that the joint working group be set up to work on the
agreement.

The members of the Joint Working Group
include Ministries of Power, Petroleum, Finance, Water Resources,
Environment, Nigerian Energy Commission, Nigeria National Petroleum
Corporation (NNPC) and National Electricity Regulatory Commission.

In another development, the Vice
President also had a briefing session with the Debt Management Office
(DMO) which was centred on the recruitment and promotion of staff in
the organisation.

The VP in the meeting approved the
request submitted by the Director General of the DMO, Dr. Abraham
Nwankwo, to promote and employ new staff in the organisation.

Earlier, the Director General said 120 officers of various categories are needed in the organisation.

He also sought the approval of Mr
Sambo, who is the Chairman of the DMO Board, including seven senior
officers to be promoted as Chief Operating Officers and Assistant Chief
Operating Officers respectively.

He said the posts will soon be advertised.