In a significant step towards enhancing the power supply in Nigeria’s industrious South East region, Vice President Kashim Shettima is poised to inaugurate the Light Up South East Initiative. This pivotal event, scheduled for Monday, February 26, in Enugu, signals a new era of energy sufficiency aimed at propelling the region’s industrial clusters into heightened productivity and growth.
According to Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications (Office of The Vice President), this initiative is a continuation of the Federal Government’s determined efforts to foster an improved energy supply framework across the nation. The launch in Enugu, the heart of the South East, is set to galvanize the collective aspirations of stakeholders in the power sector towards achieving this goal.
The Light Up South East Initiative emerges from a strategic collaboration between the Niger Delta Power Holding Company Limited (NDPHC) and its partners. This project is not just about lighting up the region but igniting the potential for industrial diversification and economic expansion that reliable power can bring.
During the event, Vice President Shettima will also participate in a Business Roundtable. This session will bring together top government officials and business luminaries to deliberate on strategies for delivering consistent and sustainable power to both industrial and residential zones within the South East. Such discussions are crucial for aligning the objectives of various sectors towards the common goal of energy reliability.
The initiative first saw the light in the South West region on October 12, 2023, at the Agbara Industrial Cluster. The event was met with enthusiastic commitments from stakeholders to champion the project’s implementation nationwide. This spirit of collaboration and dedication is what Vice President Shettima aims to replicate in the South East, marking another milestone in the Tinubu administration’s commitment to revamping Nigeria’s infrastructure and energizing the economy.
Adding to the day’s significance, Shettima is also slated to commission the 181-megawatt Geometric Power plant located in the Osisioma Industrial Layout, Aba, Abia State. This plant represents a tangible step towards actualizing the vision of a powered-up South East, promising to supply a substantial amount of energy to meet the region’s growing industrial demands.
The Geometric Power plant, alongside the Light Up South East Initiative, underscores the administration’s resolve to tackle the power challenges that have long hindered Nigeria’s industrial and economic progress. By focusing on strategic areas like the South East, known for its vibrant commercial activities and industrial potential, the government is laying the groundwork for a future where power shortages are a thing of the past.
As the people of Enugu and the wider South East region await this landmark event, there is a palpable sense of optimism in the air. The promise of a more reliable power supply not only brightens homes but also kindles the hopes of entrepreneurs, manufacturers, and residents alike for a prosperous future powered by sustainable energy solutions.
