By Kunle Ilyasu
Managing Director/CEO of Nigeria Bulk Electricity Trading PLC, Marilyn Amobi, has called on journalists to ensure responsible and balanced reportage of the power sector in order to grow the industry.
Amobi made this known in Abuja last week while receiving the executive of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), FCT Council.
She said unbalanced reportage of the sector was capable of affecting free flow of Direct Foreign Investment which is critical to energy development.
A press statement by Secretary of Council, NUJ FCT, Comrade Ochiaka Ugwu, Friday in Abuja, quoted the NBET boss as saying inaccurate reportage of the sector would naturally slow the progress being made in the industry as ‘bad news is read by investors around the world who naturally become anxious of a hostile business climate, which unfortunately is what the Nigerian media does often.”
Amobi said journalists should always portray issues and events in a neutral and unbiased manner, regardless of their personal opinion or personal beliefs.
Speaking on issues of accountability and transparency in the NBET, the MD disclosed that all financial transactions with Generating Companies (GenCos), Distribution Companies (DisCos) and international customers were made public through monthly publications in the media for scrutiny and transparency sake.
She expressed the confidence that the power sector reforms in the company would not be halted under any primordial threats.
Following allegations of abuses and N2 billion over-payment claims leveled against NBET, Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) that has the role to maintain the integrity of the electricity market and in accordance with its regulatory powers probed the alleged fraud and gave NBET a clean bill of health.
Earlier, Chairman of Council, Comrade Emmanuel Ogbeche, said the visit became necessary given the strategic role NBET played in the development of the power sector and the need to create awareness on its activities for the benefit of the public.
He said the visit was also to explore possible areas of collaboration for institutional capacity building that would be of mutual benefit for shared prosperity.
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