Femi Gbajabiamila: Nigeria’s Quest for Improved Power Supply

With the recent impressive completion of the 2 x 20 MVA injection substation situated at Randle Avenue, Surulere, Lagos, Eko Disco has demonstrated its support of the Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration’s quest to improve power. This is evidenced by the comment of the company’s chairman, where he attributed the initiative to Mr Femi Gbajabiamila – erstwhile speaker of the House of Representatives and current chief of staff to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The chairman of Eko Disco Mr Dere Otubu requested the presence of Olufemi Hakeem Gbajabiamila to grace the occasion and launch the substation specifically because of the role he played in making it come to fruition, consistent with his known longstanding commitment to seeking solutions within his capacity to take the nation forward.

In thanking him, Mr Otubu said the project and the installation of the special transformer cost not less than N2.5 billion, adding that Olufemi Gbajabiamila had been very supportive of the project when it started; he helped with the land and also helped in providing one of the 20 MVA, which is why he was asked to commission.

The support Mr Gbajabiamila gave to Eko Disco is consistent with his support for empowering the youth through job creation, innovation and productivity, recognizing the role that power supply plays in entrepreneurship and job creation.

Knowing his commitment to youth development, it is no surprise that he supported this behind the scenes. Being a quiet achiever, he has supported many initiatives to show his commitment and belief in the vision of the administration.

Seeing things through quietly may be the reason why he is such a dependable support to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the critical arrears/special projects and initiatives that will drive and deliver the Renewed Hope Agenda.

Mr Otubu expressed his appreciation of the people of Surulere for their patience, tenacity and steadfastness, pledging the company’s commitment to improving the lives of its customers by providing a safe, sustainable and reliable electricity supply. Dr Otubu gave an assurance that the company would intensify its commitment to distributing power consistently, reliably and safely, pointing out that the Agbara community was next in line and that their project would be commissioned soon.

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Ltd has also announced that it has several major infrastructure projects planned as it transitions to renewable energy. Opportunities for investment in the country’s renewable energy projects include:

• Palm oil biodiesel in Calabar in Cross River State
• Cassava fuel across five locations
• Sugar cane fuel across six locations
• Emissions reduction
• Wind and solar energy power generation

The liquefied natural gas and transport sector has seen a considerable increase in demand for compressed natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas and liquefied natural gas. NNPC Ltd seeks to co-locate these stations with existing petrol stations to offer cheaper energy compared with other energy sources that are currently in use, as well as providing alternative choices for transport.

In addition, NNPC Ltd also has far-reaching plans for Free Trade Zone development. The organisation seeks to develop gas industrial park facilities in two Free Trade Zones, namely Brass Free Trade Zone in Bayelsa State and Ogidigben Free Trade Zone in Delta State. As part of its gas and power portfolio, NNPC Ltd also intends to build several power plants, with three test thermal power plants already in construction along the Abuja, Kano and Kaduna corridor.

NNPC Ltd seeks to raise $4.5 billion in investment funding for various development projects including a gas-to-animal protein feed plant, a pipe mill, a multi-specialist hospital and a medical manufacturing plant. NNPC Ltd is particularly keen on securing investment for construction of the hospital, as well as the pipe mill, which will play an important role in meeting current domestic demand in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.