By Adedapo Adesanya
The Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) has called for a three-way collaboration among the Federal, State Governments, and the private sector to provide affordable and reliable energy solutions in Nigeria.
This was made known by the Governor of Kaduna State, Mr Nasir Ahmad el-Rufai, at the Nigeria Energy Exhibition and Conference, which wrapped off its 9th edition with key stakeholders providing insights into sustainable strategies on Thursday.
The event brought together over 3,500 visitors and over 100 exhibitors representing over 21 countries.
The exhibition and conference attracted local and international investors, exhibitors and renowned speakers, including the Governor of Kaduna State; Mr Abubakar Aliyu, the Minister of Power, Nigeria, represented by Mr Temitope Fashedemi, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Power; Ahmad Salihijo Ahmad, MD/CEO, Rural Electrification Agency of Nigeria; and Mr Aliyu Tukur Tahir, Managing Director/CEO, NEMSA & Chief Electrical Inspector of the Federation (CEIF).
Speaking at the event, Mr el-Rufai said, “Nigeria requires for its growth and development the delivery of affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy for homes and businesses. The Nigeria Governors Forum believes that the solution to our enduring electricity supply deficits lies in a three-way collaboration between the federal government, state government, and private sector.
“The expansion of generation, transmission, and distribution capacity in the country needs a sound regulated environment that is market driven. The state of the power sector retraces the hoops that inform the electricity power sector reform act passed in 2005. The act provided competitive electricity with a strong regulatory oversight role of the Federal Government”.
“The situation in the power sector suggests that why there are significant roles for the State and Federal Government, the Private sector has to be the largest source of investment, management, and know-how for sustainable and affordable electricity provision. The structural bottlenecks must be addressed within a public policy perspective that gives privacy to serious private sector leadership in the power sector,” he concluded.
On his part, Mr Ade Yesufu, Exhibition Director, Nigeria Energy, speaking about the success of the event, said – “at Informa Markets, we bring together all the relevant stakeholders in the relevant sector to hold critical conversations.
“We have welcomed thousands of visitors during the past three days to not only explore the best strategies to resolving the power challenges but also to build relationships for the sustainable growth of the sector. By connecting all parties in the Energy sector, the Nigeria Energy Exhibition and Conference have successfully unearthed solutions for the challenges in the sector.
“Formerly Power Nigeria, Nigeria Energy began as a platform to provide a blueprint for Nigeria’s power sector in the coming years to not only improve access to electricity but also drive economic growth and create jobs across West Africa. This year marks our 9th edition and continues our mission as the premier energy trade event and the largest gathering of energy trade stakeholders in West Africa.”
Nigeria Energy, the largest gathering of energy trade professionals in West Africa, provided an exceptional networking hub for manufacturers, distributors, procurement professionals, dealers, and regulators and a platform to drive the discourse on key challenges affecting the Energy industry and proffer sustainable solutions.
Through the exhibitions & conferences, Nigeria Energy attracted professionals, policymakers, and service providers who value the power of knowledge-sharing, networking, and business for the end goal of transforming Nigeria’s Energy sector.
