VP Kashim Shettima launches “Light Up Nigeria” project in Enugu
Enugu witnessed the official launch of the “Light Up Nigeria” project on Monday, February 26, as Vice President Kashim Shettima initiated the federal government’s endeavour to enhance energy supply to industrial clusters in the southeast region.
Speaking at the Light Up Nigeria Southeast Business Roundtable, Shettima revealed President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to restoring the southeast as the nation’s industrial powerhouse.
The Niger Delta Power Holding Company Limited (NDPHC) and its partners orchestrated the launch event, marking the beginning of a nationwide initiative to provide dedicated power supply to industrial clusters.
Shettima expressed optimism about the project’s transformative potential, considering it a renewal of hope for investors and industrialists in the southeast.
“This is not a ribbon-cutting charade; this is a calculated endeavour to re-engineer our economy,” Shettima declared.
He highlighted the project’s significance in stabilizing the electricity supply industry and oiling the wheels of industries.
The Vice President stressed the southeast’s importance as an industrial powerhouse, asserting that Nigeria’s economic fortune hinges on the region’s prosperity.
Governors of Anambra, Enugu, Imo, and Ebonyi States addressed the audience, expressing their support for the Light Up Nigeria Project.
Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu praised the initiative as a new dawn for power and industrialization in the southeast, aligning with his administration’s disruptive approach to governance.
The Managing Director/CEO of Niger Delta Power Holding Company Ltd (NDPHC), Chiedu Ugbo, provided insights into the project’s objectives, emphasizing the commitment to reliable and affordable electricity supply to industries.
”The project aims to address challenges hindering the optimal utilization of gas thermal electricity generation assets in Nigeria, including transmission and distribution constraints,” he said.
The launch event in Enugu follows a similar initiative in Agbara, Ogun state, where President Tinubu engaged with the business community to commit to providing the required electricity for industrial areas.
Significant progress has been made in the Agbara Project, setting the stage for the nationwide rollout of similar initiatives in other geopolitical zones.
Dignitaries at the event included governors, former governors, senators, the Minister of Power, and other key figures.
Officials say the “Light Up Nigeria” project will transform the energy landscape in the southeast, foster economic growth, and position the region as a thriving hub for industries.
