We belong in a world where adequate power supply is prerequisite to any nation’s development. In fact there is simply no sustained growth or advancement in a country without steady power supply. That said, its no news that Nigeria continues to battle with epileptic power supply over the years.
Well we don't have it because it would be quite expensive. If anyone is to offer that, it would be definitely expensive. Almost everything in Nigeria is expensive and can be linked to lack of constant power supply. There are different deals from different operators.
— Wori/Steven O | Please #EndSARS 🙏🏽 (@Wori_Steven_O) October 22, 2018
This has left the country’s small businesses in dire straits, leading to the eventual thinning out of many businesses. Effectively, the redundant power sector has caused economic activities to drag and the economy not to reach its growth potentials. Thus, this calls for the exploration of innovative ways to curb this electricity menace.
This is where the Federal Government’s Energizing Economies Initiative (EEI) comes in.
The Energizing Economies Initiative (EEI)
The Energizing Economies Initiative (EEI) project was launched recently by the Federal Government of Nigeria as part of its wider Micro, Small, Medium Enterprise (MSMEs) programme. The project is designed to increase energy access and economic growth by assisting private sector developers provide clean, reliable and affordable power to strategic economic clusters across Nigeria. These economic clusters include; markets, shopping complexes and agricultural/industrial clusters.
We’ll ensure electricity in major markets – Osinbajo https://t.co/Tjc82VlECc#EnergizingEconomies
— REA Nigeria (@realREANigeria) May 11, 2018
The EEI is private sector-driven, with the Federal Government providing project support through its Rural Electrification Agency (REA). The project is aimed at:
- Improving economic opportunities by ensuring that the energy that industries and businesses require to function is safe, reliable and predictable, improving the bottom line by improving production and sales
- Providing an incentive and working model for private investors in the energy industry on innovative
power solutions - Providing street lighting to encourage longer and safer business hours in well-lit business spaces
The 1st phase of the programme is targeted at 4 economic clusters that have been selected primarily for their high level of commercial activities, propensity to increase local content as it relates to ‘Made in Nigeria’ goods, as well as heavy reliance on electricity for running their day-to-day businesses.
#EnergizingEconomies is the @realREANigeria Programme bringing electricity to major markets/economic clusters across Nigeria: 1st phase covering Ariaria Market in Aba, Sura Shopping Complex, Lagos, Sabon Gari Market, Kano. In total these are tens of thousands of shops benefiting
— tolu ogunlesi (@toluogunlesi) October 18, 2018
These clusters includes: Ariaria Market in Aba, Abia (with almost 32,000 shops); Sabon Gari Market, Kano (13,500 shops); Sura Shopping Complex, Lagos (more than 1,000 shops); and Somolu Printing Community, Lagos (4,260 shops).
– Ariaria is almost 32,000 shops.
– Sabongari is 13,500
– Shomolu Printing Community is 4,260
– Sura Shopping Complex is more than 1,000 shops.So we’re looking at more than 50,000 shops (and traders/artisans) who are being touched by the first phase of #EnergizingEconomies. pic.twitter.com/4WFzHkkcZb
— tolu ogunlesi (@toluogunlesi) October 18, 2018
The project at Ariaria in Abia state will be powered by a Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Plant, generating about 9.5 MegaWatts to provide the shops with stable electricity.
The CNG Power Plant being built in Ariaria Market, Aba by the @MBuhari administration, under the #EnergizingEconomies Programme of @realREANigeria. @NERCNG issued the generation and distribution licenses in June 2018, for a 9.5MW plant, to power the 32,000 shops in the market. pic.twitter.com/AWMxokrCaF
— tolu ogunlesi (@toluogunlesi) October 20, 2018
As part of enabling the informal sector, power has been provided to clusters such as Ariaria market and Sabon Gari market. #NES24 #PovertyToProsperity
— Nairametrics (@Nairametrics) October 22, 2018
At Sabon Gari in Kano, solar panels are been erected for shops to use in partnership with solar energy company, Rensource.
Powered By Rensource: VP Osinbajo Inspects 'Light Up The Markets Project' at Sabon Gari Market,Kano
Part 1 pic.twitter.com/JRBswgLOma— Rensource (@rensourceenergy) May 25, 2018
Photos from Sabon Gari Market, Kano, where @AsoRock’s #EnergizingEconomies Initiative is being implemented by @realREANigeria, in partnership w/ the private sector. The initiative is bringing stable power supply to economic clusters across Nigeria. #GovtAtWorkNG #IncrementalPower pic.twitter.com/8sETEpKUKH
— tolu ogunlesi (@toluogunlesi) October 22, 2018
The projects at Somolu and Sura in Lagos are yet to be commissioned, but it is reported that while Somolu would also be getting a Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Plant, Sura would be connected to an existing Independent Power Producer (IPP) on Lagos Island.
The initiative is a commendable one especially considering the deplorable state of power in the country. We hope this project would spread quickly enough to other economic clusters in dire need of such incentive.
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