The Guest Speaker, who is also the Chief Technical Officer (CTO), FGN Power Company Limited, Engr. Idowu Oyebanjo, talked on Addressing Network Infrastructure Gaps: A panacea for the commercial viability of the Nigerian Power sector: The Presidential Power Initiative (PPI) Approach.
Engr. Oyebanjo said the PPI was conceived during a meeting between President Muhammadu Buhari and German Chancellor, Angela Merkel, on August 31, 2018.
According to him, the aim of the Initiative is to rehabilitate and expand the nation’s generation portfolio including transmission and distribution networks to meet future power needs.
The projects, he said, spanned three phases of two years each with the ultimate objective of delivering 25GW to electricity consumers across Nigeria at the end of a six-year programme.
He said the PPI would deliver much-needed electricity needs drive growth expansion of Nigeria’s economy.
Oyebanjo further stated that the Initiative has the overall objective of promoting Federal Government’s efforts to develop critical electrification infrastructure that will improve quality of life for Nigerians.
Other objectives according to him, include hi the high quality, long-lasting solutions and extensive expertise that Siemens will bring to bare in transforming the Nigerian power; showcasing the importance of the project and engender commitment from all the stakeholders and citizens.
The PPI also has the overall objective of informing stakeholders and the public about milestones achieved during project execution and showcasing improved quality and reliability of power supply across the country.
The Guest Speaker pointed out that part of the overall objective of the PPI is to promote opportunities for Nigerian youth and enterprises to contribute to local content development.
The Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who was represented on the occasion by the Director Power), Lagos State Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, Engr. Hafeez Momoh, congratulated the new Chairman of NIEEE Lagos Chapter, Engr. Olabode, and look forward for a better existing relationship between the Institute and the state government.
The Governor said the state government had presented a Consultation Paper on the Lagos State Electricity Policy that will serve as a blue-print to achieve the state government’s vision for universal access to electricity in the state which is expected to be a key driver of the social and economic development aspirations of the state as part of the government’s 30-year development Plan (2021-2051).
According to Governor Sanwo-Olu, the policy resulting from the consultation process is expected to drive development towards a future where security and sustainability of electricity supply is assured. He added that it should contribute to reducing carbon emissions and thus improve the conditions of all Lagosians.
New Lagos NIEEE Chairman Olabode unfolds plans to transform the Institute