BPE denies plan to sell TCN

The Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), yesterday, refuted media reports that the federal government was planning to sell the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN).

The Head, of Public Communications of the agency, Mr. Chidi Ibe, in a statement, in Abuja, claimed that the publication was the handiwork of mischief makers who were working to create industrial unrest, in the sector.

BPE’s statement read part, “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.”

According to the Bureau, the actions of the federal government in the power sector were guided by well-articulated policy documents and extant legislations.

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.

A RoadMap for the Reform of the power sector was issued in 2010.

The agency said, “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 urged electricity sector workers and indeed the general public to ignore what it described as a “false publication”.