“We have gone through a complete cycle in the search for solutions to our energy crisis. We have unbundled and privatized energy assets in generation, transmission, and distribution. “We have also implemented the National Integrated Power Project through the NDPHC.”

He promised to closely monitor the progress of work on ongoing energy projects to light up industrial clusters across the country, with a view to holding all relevant officials accountable.

“I assure you that, in my capacity as Chairman of the Board of Directors of NDPHC, I will hold all relevant officials accountable and will closely monitor the progress made on this project. “We owe Nigerians this success story,” the vice president declared.

Shettima reiterated the Tinubu administration’s commitment “to provide the necessary institutional and political support to ensure the successful execution” of the project.

Delivering his speech titled “Lighting the path to economic development”, the Vice President expressed his gratitude to the governors of Ogun, Lagos, and Oyo States, where the NDPHC was already developing similar projects, as well as the companies involved.

The vice president noted that the partnership between state-owned electricity companies and the private sector was an embodiment of progress, teamwork, and commitment to fostering synergy to improve the productivity of the country’s companies and institutions.

According to him, the partnership not only aligns with the federal government’s vision of transforming Nigeria into a world-class investment destination but also serves as an industrial benchmark in Africa.

He added that it was an affirmation of President Tinubu’s determination to revamp the country’s infrastructure framework.

The vice president said: “The launch of this strategic collaboration between our company, Niger Delta Power Holding Company Limited (NDPHC), and its key partners in the design, development, and operation of projects to supply dedicated, consistent, and quality power to major industrial and commercial clusters in Nigeria echo the commitment of His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to revitalize the infrastructure framework of our nation.

“The choice of Agbara, Ogun State, as the pilot site is due to its role as an artery of Nigeria’s industrial structure. “This is our determination to breathe new life into the businesses that sustain our economy.”

Noting that addressing the supply shortfall in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI) is an intervention that aims to reverse “generational setbacks that companies with immense promises have suffered”, Mr. Shettima said one thing was to attract investors to the country and another to make them stay.

He further assured that the enlightenment of industrial clusters across the country indicates the beginning of a promised opportunity for Nigeria.

“By mobilizing private capital, leveraging NDPHC’s generation portfolio and utilizing existing power supply infrastructure, we aim to provide consistent, reliable and high-quality power supply to targeted customer groups with substantial capacity demands.

“This effort has initiated an industrial reactivation of significant magnitude. In essence, it implies that, after a considerable period, the NESI will experience a substantial increase in supply levels without the need to inject public funds, delivering almost continuous power precisely where it is most critical to our economy,” he explained.

Shettima described the host community, Agbara, as an archetype of what private sector investment, innovation and entrepreneurship could achieve in a nation’s economic and infrastructure development, noting that other planned industrial clusters are a manifestation of how private capital could “drive industrial development and foster economic prosperity.”

The Vice President revealed the federal government’s plans to ensure industry clusters become a reality.

“We are not only committed to providing the necessary institutional and political support to enable, promote and sustain this private sector-led initiative, but also to pave the way for the emergence of synchronized development in transmission and distribution infrastructure, aligned with the demands of industrial clients.

“This infrastructure is designed for efficient and reliable transmission of power from NDPHC plants. We will implement the appropriate technology to ensure the efficient operation of the networks and minimize commercial, collection and technical losses that have affected the industry,” he stated.

Earlier, Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State said the location of the pilot phase of the initiative is due to the viability of the Agbara Industrial Area as the most successful industrial estate in the country.

He said the initiative aligns with his administration’s drive to provide critical infrastructure in industrial clusters across the state and thanked President Tinubu and Vice President Shettima for prioritizing the energy sector, noting that it will unlock potentials in different sectors of the economy.

For his part, the Minister of Energy, Adebayo Adelabu, said engagement with stakeholders across the Agbara Industrial Estate was part of the federal government’s efforts to deliver safe and reliable electricity to industrial and large user groups across the country.

He expressed optimism that the initiative to guarantee effective electricity supply to the Agbara Industrial Estate will be achieved and can be a model to be replicated throughout the country.

Obafemi Hamzat, Deputy Governor of Lagos State, said the challenges experienced in the energy sector can be overcome with effective collaboration and partnership, as well as compliance with set standards and due process.

He urged all stakeholders to be cautious in their comments and opinions on systems and institutions in Nigeria.

For his part, the Managing Director and CEO of Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC), Chiedu Ugbo, said the event signifies the unwavering commitment and determination of the Tinubu administration to leverage partnerships with stakeholders to address the challenges associated with access to electricity for Nigerian households and businesses.

He said NDPHC remains committed to promoting the bilateral power sale initiative as one of the measures taken by the company to deliver electricity to industrial groups and companies across the country.

In addition to the round table, the VP held interactions with representatives of the different clusters of the industrial area.

Previously, upon arriving at the StrongPack facilities, headquarters of the event, he had visited the factory’s production lines.

Present at the event were Noimot Salako-Oyedele, Deputy Governor of Ogun State; Olatunji Akinosi, Deputy Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Alternative Education; Sola Arifayan, CEO of Electric Utilities Ltd; Del Tupaz, CEO of StrongPack Ltd; representatives of Eko Disco and Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company, among other players in the Agbara Industrial Area.

Stanley Nkwocha Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications (Office of the Vice President) October 12, 2023