The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, has called for a significant enhancement in local power production capabilities, citing the numerous challenges faced by existing power generation facilities.
His call to action came during a tour of the Coleman Cables and Wires facility in Arepo, Ogun State, on Friday.
During his visit, Minister Adelabu emphasized the importance of bolstering local content within Nigeria’s power sector.
He highlighted ongoing legislative efforts aimed at promoting local manufacturing and greater involvement of domestic manufacturers in power projects across federal agencies under the Ministry of Power.
Expressing solidarity with local manufacturers, Adelabu assured them of the Federal Government’s unwavering support for their endeavors.
“Providing leadership as a power minister does not stop at just sitting in your office in Abuja. You must be able to visit the locations across the power sector. I’ve been to almost 80 percent of the power-generating plants. I’ve seen all the problems. I’ve confirmed the capacity,” Adelabu stated.
Adelabu’s visit to Coleman Wires and Cables, a key player in the power sector’s value chain, included inspections of their facilities in Arepo and Sagamu.
He lauded the company for its pivotal role in the industry and commended its CEO, George Onafowokan, for his substantial contributions to job creation and economic empowerment.
“Coleman Wires and Cables is a major private operator in the value chain of the power sector,” Adelabu remarked, acknowledging the firm’s significant impact.
The minister’s tour comes at a critical time for Nigeria’s power sector, which has been grappling with various challenges, including inadequate infrastructure and an overreliance on imported equipment.
By advocating for enhanced local content, Adelabu aims to foster a more resilient and self-sufficient power sector, capable of meeting the country’s energy needs more effectively.
The Minister of Power’s call to action is expected to resonate across the industry, encouraging other local manufacturers to step up their involvement in power projects.
Adelabu’s proactive approach, characterized by his visits to nearly 80 percent of the country’s power generation plants, reflects his commitment to addressing the sector’s issues comprehensively.
In related news, the Federal Government has been actively working to support local electricity equipment manufacturers.
Recent initiatives include incentives for domestic production and policies aimed at reducing dependence on imported materials.
This push for local content is part of a broader strategy to achieve sustainable development and economic growth in Nigeria.