JONATHAN PROMISES NIGERIA 18 HOUR POWER SUPPLY IN 2014

President Goodluck Jonathan has said that Nigerians will witness
unprecedented growth in electricity supply in the country, even as his
administration invests $1.5 billion for the upgrade of electricity
transmission in the country.
The President made the remarks in his New Year message to Nigerians.
He said, "In 2014, we will continue to prioritize investments in key
sectors such as infrastructure development, power, roads, rail
transportation and aviation. In the past year, the Federal Government
completed the privatization of four power generation companies and 10
power distribution companies. We are also in the process of
privatizing 10 power plants under the National Integrated Power
Projects (NIPP).
We shall boost investments in transmission to ensure power generated
is properly evacuated and distributed. In this regard, we have already
mobilized an additional $1.5 billion for the upgrade of the
transmission network in 2014 and beyond. Government will also
strengthen regulation of the sector, and closely monitor electricity
delivery to increase this beyond 18 hours per day. We will complete
the privatization of the NIPP projects, accelerate work on our gas
pipeline infrastructure and also continue to invest in hydro-electric
power and clean energy as we monitor the effects of climate change on
our economy."
Speaking on the milestones of his administration, President Jonathan
listed improvements in education, agriculture and manufacturing.
He said, "I am pleased to note that as a result of our backward
integration policies, Nigeria has moved from a country that produced 2
million metric tonnes of cement in 2002, to a country that now has a
capacity of 28.5 million metric tonnes. For the first time in our
history, we have moved from being a net importer of cement to a net
exporter. Foreign direct investment into Nigeria has also been strong.
In fact, for the second year running, the UN Conference on Trade and
Development has named Nigeria as the number 1 destination for
investments in Africa.
"We are witnessing a revolution in the agricultural sector and the
results are evident.We have tackled corruption in the input
distribution system as many farmers now obtain their fertilizers and
seeds directly through an e-wallet system. In 2013, 4.2 million
farmers received subsidized inputs via this programme. This scheme has
restored dignity to our farmers.
"Last year we produced over 8 million metric tonnes of additional
food; and this year, inflation fell to its lowest level since 2008
partly due to higher domestic food production. Our food import bill
has also reduced from N1.1 trillion in 2011, to N648 billion in 2012,
placing Nigeria firmly on the path to food self-sufficiency."
The President said budgetary allocations to education had tripled
between 2007 and 2013.
He said, "Between 2007 and 2013, we have almost tripled the allocation
for education from N224 billion to N634 billion – and we will continue
to vigorously support the sector. We have improved access to education
in the country with the construction of 125 Almajiri schools, and the
establishment of three additional Federal Universities in the North,
bringing to twelve, the number of universities established by this
administration."