AN EVALUATION OF PRIVATIZATION  PROGRAMME AS AN EFFECTIVE TOOLS FOR ENHANCING PRODUCTIVITY PUBLIC ENTERPRISE IN NIGERIA

(A CASE STUDY OF POWER HOLDING COMPANY NIGERIA PLC)

INTRODUCTION

1.0            BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Privatization of state-owned enterprises (SOEs) has become a key component of the structural reform process and globalization strategy in many economies. Several developing and transition economies have embarked on extensive privatization and commercialization programmes in the last one and a half decades or so, as a means of fostering economic growth, attaining macroeconomic stability, and reducing public sector borrowing requirements arising from corruption, subsidies and subventions to unprofitable SOEs. By the end of 1996, all but five countries in Africa had divested some public enterprises within the framework of macroeconomic reform and liberalization (White and Bhatia, 1998).

In line with the trend worldwide, the spate of empirical works on privatization has also increased, albeit with a microeconomic orientation that emphasizes efficiency gains (La Porta and López-de-Silanes, 1997; D’Souza and Megginson, 1999; Boubakri and Cosset, 1998; Dewenter and Malatesta, 2001). Yet despite the upsurge in research, our empirical knowledge of the privatization programme in Africa is limited. Aside from theoretical predictions, not much is known about the process and outcome of privatization exercises in Africa in spite of the impressive level of activism in its implementation.

Current research is yet to provide useful insights into the peculiar circumstances of Africa, such as the presence of embryonic financial markets and weak regulatory institutions and the manner in which they influence the pace and outcome of privatization efforts. Most objective observers agree, however, that the high expectations of the 1980s about the “magical power” of privatization bailing Africa out of its quagmire remain unrealized (Adam et al., 1992; World Bank, 1995; Ariyo and Jerome, 1999; Jerome, 2005).

As in most developing countries, Nigeria until recently witnessed the growing involvement of the state in economic activities. The expansion of SOEs into diverse economic activities was viewed as an important strategy for fostering rapid economic growth and development. This view was reinforced by massive foreign exchange earnings from crude oil, which fuelled unbridled Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) investment in public enterprises. Unfortunately, most of the enterprises were poorly conceived and economically inefficient. They accumulated huge financial losses and absorbed a disproportionate share of domestic credit. By l985, they had become an unsustainable burden on the budget.

With the adoption of the structural adjustment programme (SAP) in 1986, privatization of public enterprises came to the forefront as a major component of Nigeria’s economic reform process at the behest of the World Bank and other international organizations

1.1.1  HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF POWER HOLDING COMPANY          NIGERIA

A major energy product which has emerged from the development of Nigeria’s energy resources is electricity. Although at independence in 1960 the country inherited a rudimentary electric power generation and distribution system under the Electricity Corporation of Nigeria (ECN) and later changed to NEPA.

Nigeria’s Electric Grid is being run on hydroelectric and thermal plants. The former are predominantly utilized in the northern part of Nigeria while the later which are fueled by petroleum appear to be largely favoured in the southern parts. The disadvantages of these approaches become evident in the harmattan seasons when the water level drops and in the chronic spate of fuel scarcity.

Nigeria has about 5,900MW of installed electric generating capacity consisting of 3 hydro-based stations and 5 thermal power plants. Nigeria faces a serious energy crisis due to declining electricity generation from the power plants. Power outages are frequent and the power sector operates well below its capacity. NEPA is in charge of a sector which is grossly inefficient.

The Nigerian government has set a 10,000MW target capacity for electricity generation by 2007 as a way of increasing power supply which has been epileptic over a long period.

When the present administration came on board in May of 1999 one of the first tasks it undertook was to charge the then Minister of Power and Steel to put an end to power outages. The minister wasted no time in making some necessary changes in the composition of NEPA. NEPA was reconstituted and new appointments were made bringing a team of specialists and technocrats to replace most of the politically appointed members of the management board. Yet the country recorded no significant improvement in its power sector. Indeed somewhat that the situation got much worse.

A new technical board directly answerable to Mr. President under the chairmanship of senator Liyel Imoke was appointed in 2006 to oversee the administration of NEPA and its eventual privatization. An improvement is still yet to be seen.

On July, 1st 2006, NEPA was transformed to PHCN in line with the on-going government power sector reform programme.

The Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) was thereby established under the Electric Power Sector Reforms Act 2005 to provide regulatory oversight in electricity sector. PHCN was set up to have a life span of one year after which successor companies owned by private operations would take over from the firm. But, however, exactly a year after the company was established and the exact date it was scheduled to cease to exist, nothing happened.

Part of the efforts to realize this ambition is the on going power plants construction in different parts of the country. Ten power stations are in the pipeline. They include the 414MW Geregu power station in Kogi State, 335MW Omotosho Gas Turbine Power Station in Ondo State, 335MW Papalanto Thermal Station in Ogun State, all these are at various stages of completion. Others include the Mambilla Station in Taraba State, a 250MW in Calabar, a 500MW plant in Eyaea, Edo State, a 270MW in Ikot Abasi, Akwa Ibom State, a 500MW in Sapele, Delta State and a 230MW plant in Omoku, River State. The existing power stations and their installed capacities are Egbin Thermal Statio, Lagos (1320MW) Afam Thermal Station, Delta State (1020MW) Ijoro Thermal Plant, Lagos (40MW), Kainji Hydro Station, Niger State (760MW), Jebba Hydro Station, Niger State (578MW) and Shiroro Hydro, Niger State (600MW). But the actual power capacity currently generating in the country is presumed to be below 4000MW.

The country’s power generating potential is said to be the highest in Africa. This is attributed to her abundant natural resources. With natural gas reserve of about 188 trillion cubic feet, the country has enough associated gas potential to power the biggest thermal station in Africa. While other countries are busy encouraging investment in nuclear power in addition to the sources of energy. Nigeria is still struggling to meet the areas other countries have left behind. South Africa for instance has hit a power generating capacity of 26,000MW and is planning to construct additional 5,000MW by 2010. 4000MW is not enough for the country and the projected target of 10,000MW of electricity in 2007 might be hampered. There is still over dependence on the aged plants and obsolete equipment, and also the incessant vandalization of election cables nationwide

POWER HOLDING COMPANY OF NIGERIA PLC DOKA BUSINESS UNIT

ORGANOGRAM OF THE BUSINESS UNIT

SOURCE: PHCN          Brochure, 2008

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