Power sector: Polish firm commended for ICT solutions on energy losses

Permanent Secretary, Power, Ambasador Godknows Igali has commended the giant strides achieved by the Polish based ICT Solutions Company – ASSECO Group, stressing that the relationship between his Ministry and the Company is a good pointer to the fact that the Power privatization is working and is indeed on course.

Receiving a delegation led by the country’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Przem Yslaw Niesiolowslli, Igali said that ASSECO came because of privatization and it has done well in the area of closing gaps in both technical and commercial losses, thus helping Nigerian customers pay less for such losses which could have been transferred to them through higher tariffs.

He also commended the efforts of the Polish firm in training of Nigerians from the Ministry, Discos and Gencos in the handling of ICT solutions for the sector.

Ambassador Igali said that before now Nigerians were helpless to the level that we were thinking it impossible to solve some of the problems. 

ASSECO Group is now addressing, he stressed that the Polish Company is no working assiduously with Ikeja, Eko and Abuja Disco.

 He promised the support his Ministry to the ASSECO Group in the quest to establish offices in other parts of Nigeria.

On the capability of ASSECO Group to extend its expertise from Distribution to Transmission sub-sector, Ambassador Igali said that he is excited that the Polish have the capacity to deplore ICT solution that would help Nigeria address the problem on the Transmission grid, the theft of energy, vandalism and stolen cables, promising to support the Group in its quest to assist Nigeria overcome inadequate power supply.

Speaking earlier, on behalf of the Polish Group, Simon Melchior said that ASSECO has the capacity to design, develop and provide ICT services that would enable end-users to reduce aggregate commercial and technical losses, as this will block loop holes, hence leakages would be eliminated to the barest minimum.

 He said Nigeria has a lot to learn from the experience of Poland in the privatization process of its power sector, for instance a lot is needed in enumeration and marking of existing and potential customers in order to detect direct bye pass, using global, systemic and holistic approach.

 Another is Data capturing in which ASSECO has assisted Abuja Disco in the area of consultancy and technical support, “we are poise to add-value in all areas of ICT solutions in the nation’s fledgling power sector”, he said.