Soludo Promises To Partner Manufacturers On Sustainable, Cheaper Energy
Gov. Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra says his administration will partner with the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Southeast Zone in its initiative towards generating and distributing electricity supply at reduced tariffs.
Soludo gave the assurance during the MAN -Southeast Industrial Energy Solutions and Investment Symposium held in Awka on Friday.
The theme of the symposium was “From High Energy Costs to Affordable Power: An Opportunity for Manufacturers”
The practical energy solutions for manufacturers will be coordinated by the newly established MAN Power Development Company Limited (MPDCL).
Soludo who was represented by Mrs Chiamaka Nnake, the Secretary to the Anambra Government commended the organisers for bringing together policymakers, regulators, financiers, technology providers, development partners and manufacturers to hold a conversation on high cost of energy, a major challenge to facing industrial development.
He said his administration was committed to building a livable and prosperous homeland where businesses could thrive, investments could flourish, and industries could compete successfully.
The governor said the theme of the symposium was both timely and strategic as it reflected a clear understanding that manufacturing competitiveness did not depend merely on access to electricity, but on access to affordable, reliable and sustainable energy that supports productivity, innovation and long-term growth.
He said industrialisation was not an aspiration but is a deliberate policy direction adding government alone could deliver industrial transformation.
“It takes the public sector, manufacturers, financial institutions, technology providers and investors working in concert.
“Our administration recognises that energy is the backbone of industrial transformation, without reliable and affordable power, manufacturers face rising production costs and limited room to expand.
“This is why Anambra has continued to invest in strengthening its energy ecosystem through the operationalisation of the Anambra Electricity Regulatory Commission, strategic infrastructure investment, and policies that encourage private sector participation in energy solutions.
“I commend MAN and MPDCL for designing a programme focused not just on naming the challenges, but on solving them, the MPDCL Industrial Energy Adoption Programme is a commendable step in that direction,” he said.
Dr Ada Chukwudozie, Chairman of MAN, Southeast Zone in charge of Anambra, Ebonyi and Enugu state said the target of the initiative was to reduce electricity to industries in Southeast by 42.5 percent
Chukwudozie said some of the challenges were rising energy costs, operational uncertainty and constrained investment adding that the initiative would yield affordable power, greater productivity, stronger competitiveness, business expansion and new opportunities for growth.
“MPDCL in conjunction with experienced financing institutions, technology providers and project implementation partners, has developed an integrated framework that brings together the expertise required to help manufacturers transition to more affordable, reliable and efficient energy solutions.
“For manufacturers, energy is not merely another production input. It is the engine of productivity, it powers our factories, drives efficiency, protects competitiveness and determines our capacity to grow.
“When energy becomes unreliable or unaffordable, production costs rise, investment slows, expansion becomes difficult and competitiveness suffers,” he said.
Also speaking, Mr Chiso Nwangwu, Managing Director of Sabrud Consortium, a meter manufacturer and mini grid development company said the initiative was a bold energy solution that would boost industrial productivity and global competitiveness of firms.
Nwangwu said Sabrud as an end-to-end Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) renewable energy solutions across Africa keyed fully into the MPDCL initiative by bringing values that would ensure itd success.
“In Sabrud, we design, procure, construct, and maintain reliable solar power systems, battery energy storage, and electrical infrastructure for residential, commercial, industrial, and institutional clients.
“We are committed to quality, innovation and sustainability and under this initiative, we will deliver turnkey energy solutions that power businesses, communities, and Africa’s clean energy future,” he said.
In his Keynote address, Prof. Frank Okafor, the Chairman of Anambra State Electricity Regulations Commission said power must be steady and predictable as competitiveness dwelled largely on power.
He said the electricity sector was an economic sector on its own and needed support to be cost effective to be able to render affordable services.
He said Anambra was open to innovative ideas that could reduce the cost of power while urging consumers to ‘arrange their consumption’.
The unveiling was performed by Chief Francis Meshioye, the National President of MAN, Mr Casmir Agumadu, Commission for Power and Water Supply in Anambra, captains of industry including Dr Eric Okoye, Managing Director of Juhel Pharmacy who was the chairman of the occasion among others.
