The Federal Government has announced a major development in Nigeria’s power infrastructure by connecting the Agbara Industrial Hub to the national grid.
This marks a significant step forward for manufacturers and business owners in the area.
During the 2024 Manufacturing Association of Nigeria (MAN) summit, the Minister of Industry, Trade, and Investment, Doris Uzoka-Anite, highlighted this achievement.
She noted that the connection is part of the federal government’s “Light Up” project, which aims to provide sustainable energy to the manufacturing sector.
Uzoka-Anite explained that the project seeks to connect all industrial hubs, including the Tokarawa Industrial Hub in Kano and the Nnewi Hub in Anambra, to affordable energy sources, whether from the national grid or alternative gas supplies.
This initiative is expected to reduce energy costs in these key areas by approximately 60%, leading to a decrease in the prices of goods and services nationwide.
“We’ve begun mapping major industrial clusters across the country to offer targeted interventions, enhancing the vibrancy and competitiveness of our local manufacturers. Many industrial clusters still lack efficient and affordable power. We launched the Light Up campaign, starting with the Agbara Industrial Hub, now connected to the national grid,” Uzoka-Anite stated.
In 2023, the federal government assured manufacturers and investors of a reliable power supply, particularly in industrial clusters.
Vice President Kasim Shettima emphasised his goal to establish bilateral electricity sales directly to end-users at the Agbara industrial cluster within six months as part of the Light Up energy project.
This initiative will be supported by power generated from the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC) power plants.
Before this initiative, businesses within the Agbara industrial cluster did not consume energy from the national grid.
The Industrial Clusters Power Project, led by Vice President Shettima since October 2023, is a key component of President Tinubu’s commitment to revamping Nigeria’s infrastructure and boosting the nation’s economic policies.