NESI @10: Businesses Shutting Down over Escalating Cost of Energy, Says Dogara

*First ever industry golf tourney ends in Abuja

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

A former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr Yakubu Dogara, has decried the rising cost of self-generated energy due to skyrocketing diesel prices and the unreliability of the national grid.

Speaking in Abuja, on the sidelines of the just-concluded “Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry Open Golf Tournament” to mark the 10th anniversary of the privatisation of the power sector in Nigeria, Dogara however explained that the sector cannot be divorced from what is happening in Nigeria as a whole.
While stating that the generation companies remain very critical in the value chain, the former speaker pointed out that without adequate power supply Nigeria’s progress will continue to be curtailed.

“But the fact is that industries are dying and many businesses are being affected because of the escalating cost of power, cost of diesel and coupled with irregular electricity.
“I am a farmer as well and farms around me are shutting down, closing businesses because they cannot afford the cost of energy. So , it’s good we have these discussions because without electricity, you cannot engage in meaningful production.
“And it has been said that we must produce what we eat and eat what we produce, but if we don’t have access to power, there’s no way we can achieve that,” he said.

On whether Nigeria will ever have adequate and reliable power supply, Dogara stated that only God could possibly answer the question, but assured that nothing is impossible with a determined people. “We will overcome and there’s hope in this country,“ he added.
Dogara stated that what has affected power supply has also impacted other sectors, arguing that other sectors are not faring better than the power sector.
“What we are witnessing in the power sector mirrors the society. It’s about Nigeria, not just about the power sector. It’s a problem that we have to solve. We have to start by believing that we can do it, that is having the mind-set.

“We  have seen how these things work in other countries. All we need to do is to replicate what exists in other countries and that has been the problem for us. So, it’s not only the power sector. It’s all across the sectors,” he stated.
He explained that for instance, Nigerian farmers still use hoes that were invented centuries ago, whereas other countries have moved on to more advanced methods of agriculture.

While congratulating the organisers of the tournament, Dogara stated that golf remains a fun game that is enjoyed by all, describing the event as one of the best organised games in the history of the sport in Nigeria.

In his remarks, the Chairman, West Power and Gas,  Mr George Etomi, a core investor in the Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC), said that the premier edition of NESI golf tournament provided the unique opportunity to stakeholders, investors, operators, and government partners to expand the sector.
According to him, the tournament represented more than just a friendly competition on the greens, but marked an important milestone in the journey towards a more sustainable and electrified future for Nigeria.

 Etomi pointed out that it also symbolised the  unity and shared commitment of all industry stakeholders toward achieving the only goal of the value chain, which is accessible, available and affordable power for homes, industries, cities and communities.
“As we embark on this golfing journey, I encourage you all to embrace the spirit of sportsmanship, camaraderie, and fair play,” he added.

Also speaking, the NESI Golf Tournament Coordinator, Adetunji Adeyeye, assured that next year’s game will be a much bigger and better electricity sector tournament that will include contemporaries and friends from the West Africa sub-region and electricity market.
He also thanked the executive committee of IBB Golf Club and its staff for providing a ‘spectacular venue’ for the event and for their warm hospitality throughout the tournament.