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Vice President of Nigeria, Kashim Shettima, on Monday, flagged-off the Light Up project in Enugu as part of the federal government’s efforts to improve energy supply to industrial clusters in the South East region.
At the event were the Governor of Imo State and the Chairman, South-East Governors’ Forum, Senator Hope Uzodinma, Governor of Enugu State, Dr Peter Mbah, the Governor of Anambra State, Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo and the Governor of Ebonyi State, Hon. Francis Nwifuru.
Shettima described the project as a transformation journey and renewer of hope for industrialists and investors in the region.
The launching of the project was in collaboration between the Niger Delta Power Holding Company Limited, NDPHC, and its partners.
While noting that the light up project was dear to President Bola Tinubu, he assured of the determination of Tinubu’s administration to improve power supply to industrial clusters in the South East.
He said, “the long awaited solution to epileptic power supply is finally here and this project will help to stabilise Nigeria because if there is no power, there can’t be industrialization.
“The economic fortune of Nigeria remains the critical concern of President Tinubu as we believe that if the power sector works, Nigeria works too, so we must make the project work and make the South East work.”
Earlier in his welcome address, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of NDPHC, Chiedu Ugbo, said the event provided an opportunity for the business community in the South-East Zone to interact with His Excellency, the Vice President of Nigeria, adding that it marked the formal launch of the South-East phase of the strategic collaboration between NDPHC and other project partners to provide steady and reliable electricity supply to industrial and business clusters across Nigeria.
His words: “We are honoured to have you all here today. This event is part of a series of initiatives led by His Excellency, the Vice President, who serves as the Chairman of Niger Delta Power Holding Company.
“These initiatives demonstrate the commitment and determination of President Tinubu’s administration, working through NDPHC, to provide reliable and sustainable solutions to the electricity challenge in the country, starting with reliable and affordable supply to industries.
“The first event in this series took place on October 12, 2023, in Agbara, Ogun State, South-West Nigeria, where His Excellency engaged with the business community and committed to providing the required electricity to power businesses in industrial areas across the country through NDPHC.
“Since then, significant progress has been made on the Agbara Project including identifying and signing on key industrial customers, conducting engineering surveys, negotiating transaction agreements, and procuring OEM/EPC providers for the required transmission and distribution projects.
“Additionally, NDPHC has worked closely with the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) and FGN Power Company to conduct engineering surveys, identify sites, and acquire a mobile transmission substation for the project.
“TCN has approved the connection of the new substation to the national grid, and efforts are underway to deploy this fast-track transmission substation.
“Today’s event builds on the commitment made by His Excellency at Agbara and will be replicated in other geopolitical zones across the country.
“The Light up Nigeria project, which is the focus of today’s event, is led by Niger Delta Power Holding Company Limited (NDPHC).
“NDPHC, a government-owned company, is responsible for implementing the National Integrated Power Project (NIPP) and operates a portfolio of gas thermal electricity generation assets in Nigeria.
“However, the optimal utilisation of these assets has been hindered by technical challenges and market constraints.”
He said in response to the challenges in the sector, NDPHC initiated the Light up Nigeria Project, “which aims to provide reliable and affordable electricity supply to industries and homes by utilising underutilised generation capacity, establishing trading agreements with bulk purchasers of electricity, and mobilising investments to address technical, commercial, and collection losses in the supply chain.
“Additionally, NDPHC aims to receive full payment for the electricity generated and delivered, without relying on the Federal Government for such payments.
“The project aligns with the Electricity Act of 2023 (graciously signed into law by His Excellency Present Bola Tinubu GCFR), which provides a strong framework for state governments to develop electricity markets at the sub-national level, with the aim of delivering consistent and affordable electricity to residents.
“Through the Light up Nigeria project, state governments will derive the benefit of increased access to electricity, attraction of investment opportunities, revenue generation and economic growth.
“At the Federal level, the project will help to reduce the financial burden on FGN’s balance sheet from debt exposure of NBET.
“The project is further reinforced by NERC’s MYTO 2024 which mandates distribution companies to secure adequate bilateral contracts and exit from contractual relationships with NBET. NDPHC remains at the forefront in pursuing bilateral electric power sales and other projects that ensure efficient and targeted electricity delivery to end-users.”
Earlier, Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State who spoke the minds of his colleagues, said that the Light-Up Nigeria Project signals a new dawn for power and industrialisation of the South East region.
He said the initiative aligns with his administration’s disruptive approach to governance underpinned by thinking outside the box.
Some other dignitaries in attendance were former senate President Pius Anyim, Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, Emeka Offor, the Chairman, Board of Directors, Enugu Electricity Distribution Company, EEDC, among others.
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