FG not selling TCN, rumor fabricated by mischief makers, BPE clarifies

The Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) on Sunday declared that news publication alleging that “the Federal Government is currently gearing up to put the Transmission Company of Nigeria, up for Sale” is false and a mere fabrication by mischief makers.

Ibeh Uzoma Chidi, BPE’s Head, Public Communications, in a statement made available to journalists in Abuja, said such false fabrication by mischief makers aims at creating room for another needless strike by electricity workers.

According to him, “The attention of the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) has been drawn to a news publication alleging that “the Federal Government is currently gearing up to put the Transmission Company of Nigeria up for Sale”.

“The BPE wishes to state that the news is completely false in all its ramifications. The allegation is a mere fabrication by mischief makers aimed at creating room for another needless strike by electricity workers.

“The actions of the Federal Government in the power sector are guided by well-articulated policy documents and extant legislations.

“It would be recalled that the Federal Government had in 2001 approved the Nigerian Electric Power Policy (NEPP) document. The NEPP formed the basis for the enactment of the Nigerian Electricity Power Sector Reform Act (EPSRA), 2005.

“It would also be recalled that a RoadMap for the Reform of the power sector was issued in 2010. None of these documents envisaged the privatization of TCN and that was why a Management Contract was put in place to reorganize and optimize the operations of TCN during the 2013 privatization exercise.

“The Federal Government has not changed its policy nor amended the EPSRA as it relates to TCN.

“The Bureau therefore urges electricity sector workers and indeed the general public to ignore completely this false publication” reads the statement in part.