Nigeria's power minister resigns

2012-08-29 12:01

Nigeria's President Good luck Jonathan (AFP,File)

Abuja - Nigeria's power minister resigned on Tuesday amid efforts to privatise the sector to resolve electricity shortages and after a report alleged a firm tied to him was involved in the bidding process.

President Goodluck Jonathan's spokesperson announced that minister Barth Nnaji had quit in a brief statement that did not provide a reason.

Jonathan "has accepted the resignation with immediate effect of the minister of power, Professor Barth Nnaji", the statement said.

"President Jonathan thanks Professor Nnaji for his services to the nation under the present administration and wishes him well in his future endeavours."

Nigeria produces only a small amount of the electricity needed for Africa's most populous nation and largest oil producer, with outages occurring daily.

The country has been seeking to privatise electricity production and distribution in a bid to improve the situation, which has been blamed on corruption and mismanagement.

A report in Nigeria's ThisDay newspaper on Tuesday said a firm linked to Nnaji had been involved in the privatisation bidding process.

Nnaji had been a high-profile minister, regularly promoting the government's plans to improve electricity.

- AFP