Politics
VICE President Kashim Shettima has assured Agbara business community in Ogun that President Bola Tinubu’s administration would ensure adequate energy supply to the industrial community.
Shettima gave the assurance at the launching of a collaboration between the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC) and its project partners on the ‘project to light up’ industrial clusters on Thursday in Abeokuta.
He said that the Agbara industrial community stood as a compelling testament to what private sector investment, innovation, and entrepreneurship could accomplish in the economic and infrastructural development of a nation.
Shettima said, ” I am here to reassure the business community that we mean business. I was going through this paper, I was able to count 36 companies, major conglomerates in Agbara.
” In Ota/Ifo/Shagamu, I was able to count 24 and Eul/Idiroko/Others I counted 14. They have so far signed off about 50 megawatts.
“I want to give you my word and my word is my word. If you need 200 to 300 megawatts, we can give them to you.
” I am willing to come back to Lagos to visit all the clusters and win their confidence.
“It is all about advocacy, about people believing in you. And I have the confidence of my boss so that I can talk authoritatively.”
According to the vice president, Tinubu is someone who is very passionate about the Nigerian project.
Shettima added, “He is very committed to repositioning this nation. We all need to rally round him and support him to see to the realisation of his dream for a greater Nigeria.”
On the launching of the NDPHC and its project partners on the project to light up, Shettima said the event echoed Tinubu’s pledge to reinvigorate the nation’s infrastructure framework.
Shettima said that the choice of Agbara as the pilot site of the project owed to its function as an artery of Nigeria’s industrial structure.
He said, “This is our resolve to breathe new life into the enterprises that sustain our economy.
” This collaboration embodies progress, teamwork, and our commitment to fostering synergy to enhance the productivity of our businesses and institutions.
” This partnership not only aligns with our vision to transform our nation into a premier investment destination but also to serve as an industrial benchmark in this part of the world.
” The launch of this strategic collaboration between our NDPHC and its key partners for the design, development, and operation of projects to supply dedicated, steady, and quality power to major industrial and commercial clusters in Nigeria echoes Tinubu’s pledge to reinvigorate our nation’s infrastructure framework.”
Shettima said that finding a solution to the supply deficit in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI) was an intervention that sought to undo the generational setbacks that businesses with immense promise had endured.
” For too long, some of these ventures were forced to pack up, their potential stifled by the persistent energy constraints.
” Today, we embark on a journey of empowerment, a journey aimed to rekindle the flames of enterprise and ensure that the promise of prosperity prevails over the darkness of past hindrances.
” We have gone a full cycle in the search for solutions to our energy crisis. We have unbundled and privatised the power assets in generation, transmission, and distribution,”the vice president added.
Shettima said that the Federal Government had implemented the National Integrated Power Project through NDPHC.
He said, ” We are here to deliver the infrastructure and financing required to solve the key constraints that have caused the supply gap in the NESI to persist.
” I know that our partners here are on the same page as us and prepared to join us in delivering tangible wins to Nigerians.
I believe this initiative marks the commencement of a promised opportunity for our nation.
” By mobilising private capital, harnessing the generation portfolio of NDPHC, and utilising the existing power delivery infrastructure, we aim to provide a consistent, reliable, and high-quality power supply to specific customer clusters with substantial capacity demands.
” This effort has initiated an industrial revival of significant magnitude.
“In essence, it implies that, after a considerable period, the NESI will experience a substantial increase in supply levels without the necessity of injecting public funds, delivering nearly continuous power precisely where it’s most critical for our economy.”
Shettima said that Tinubu’s administration was committed to providing the institutional and policy support necessary to enable, promote, and sustain private sector-led initiative.
He also assured that the Federal Government would pave the way for the emergence of synchronized development in transmission and distribution infrastructure, aligned with the demands of industrial customers.
Shettima said, ” This infrastructure is designed for the efficient and reliable transmission of power from NDPHC’s plants.
” We will deploy the appropriate technology to ensure the efficient operation of the networks and to minimize commercial, collection, and technical losses that have plagued the industry.
” I want to assure you that we are committed to providing the necessary institutional and policy support.
“This is to ensure the successful delivery of this project which will not only facilitate your businesses but also safeguard your investments in the Nigerian economy.
” I assure you that, in my capacity as the Board Chairman of NDPHC, I will hold every relevant official accountable and closely monitor the progress achieved in this project. We owe Nigerians this success story.” (NAN)
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October 12, 2023 @ 21:14 GMT|
Tags: Kashim Shettima
