FG Hands Over Control of the Transmission Company of Nigeria to Manitoba Hydro International (MHI)

The Federal Government of Nigeria has handed over complete control of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) to a Canadian firm, Manitoba Hydro International (MHI) in its ongoing power reform programme.

 This is coming after several months of delay in the privatisation process and a major setback in November last year when the Federal Government annulled the deal with the Canadian firm. But from all indications now, both parties have resolved their differences and the Canadian firm is set to take over power transmission in Nigeria.

Manitoba, according to the contract terms, is expected to take up staffing and management of key departments of TCN such as the Systems Operations, Transmission Service Provider, National Control Centre, Information Technology and Market Operations.

ThisDay reports that the Minister of Power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo, has finally signed off the controversial “schedule of delegated authority” for MHI to immediately commence operations at TCN.

Manitoba won this contract in July 2012 to manage operations of TCN at a sum of $23.7 million for three years. According to the terms of the contract, they will effectively discharge their responsibilities in the evolving Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI). It is hoped that this would take us one big step further to achieving stable electricity supply in Nigeria.