…tours gully erosion sites
Maduako Igbokwe I Friday, Dec.01, 2023
ANAMBRA, Nigeria – The Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima on Thursday inaugurated an electric meter manufacturing factory in Oraifite, Ekwusigo Local Government Area of Anambra State.
The meter manufacturing factory, Advanced Energy Management Solutions limited (AEMDL) has the capacity to produce 1.4 pre paid meters annually.
Commissioning the company ,the vice president commended the meter manufacturing factory for its support towards Government efforts to resolve the power supply challenges facing the country .
According to him, with the local manufacturing company Nigerians will have to buy electric meters at reduced prices .
Shettima said the private sector forms an integral half of the crucial foundation that holds the Nigerian government.
He noted that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is committed to creating an environment that fosters entrepreneurship and innovation.
This, according to him, explains why the president’s vision for Nigeria is grounded in eight priority areas, including poverty eradication, economic growth, job creation, and equitable access to capital.
He stated: “This gathering is a reminder that the private sector forms the other half of the government’s crucial foundation. Whatever innovation we design, whatever ideas we explore, whatever interests we pursue, we cannot achieve our objectives if those for whom they are targeted are not carried along or in tune with our agenda.
“I am utterly proud to be here today, honoured and excited to witness the commissioning of these landmark projects. I am convinced that each of us understands the urgency of our collective actions”.
Shedding more light on the crucial role the private sector plays in nation building, the Vice President said the hope the Tinubu administration has promised to renew can only be realised in an environment that makes it easier to translate the ideas of private sector to fruition.
Shettima continued: “The profound partnership between the federal government and each state remains an indispensable cornerstone.
“I assure you that commitment knows no bounds when fostering an environment ripe for entrepreneurial growth and innovation. For it is in the nurturing embrace of this collaborative effort that the delicate balance between public and private sectors resonates, defining the trajectory of successful nations.” he said .
Earlier,the Chief Executive Officer, Advanced Energy Management Solutions, Okechukwu Onyejiuwa, said the factory has the capacity to produce 1.4 million meters annually to tackle power shortage in the country.
He noted that the establishment of the factory is to support government’s efforts to resolve the power supply challenges facing the country by addressing the critical issue of very high metering gap amongst consumers.
Onyejiuwa stated that it is also a direct response to the call by the Federal Government for local and foreign investors to invest in Nigeria, create jobs and stimulate economic activities all around the country.
“This factory has the capacity to produce 1.4 million meters annually. The establishment is to support government’s efforts to resolve the power supply challenges facing the country by addressing the critical issue of very high metering gap amongst consumers.
“This facility possesses the capability to produce Single Phase and Three Phase as well as Maximum Demand Meters. The manufacturing facility is equipped with advanced, cutting-edge equipment and machinery to manufacture a wide range of MD and non-MD smart energy meters, as well as feeder meters of accuracy class ranging from 0.2S to 1S in compliance with national and international standards.
“The factory is set to create about 500 direct jobs comprising majorly of engineers, technicians as well as finance and administration professionals. In addition to the direct jobs, we estimate that there will also be over 4,000 jobs created by the activities of this company.
“The operations of this factory will stimulate economic activities in the country especially given the high-tech nature of the skills required for the manufacturing process. It will also conserve scarce foreign exchange through reduction in the cost of imported raw materials, developing local raw materials sources and the potential for export to other countries within Africa and other parts of the world in the near future.”
He also stated that it is more beneficial to patronise local meter manufacturers with proven capacities rather than contracting supply of energy meter to foreign companies and granting them import duty waivers.
“Sourcing of foreign exchange to import machines, equipment and raw materials have been a herculean task in recent years. When manufacturers are left with no alternative than to source foreign exchange from the alternative market, the consequences are that the price of the finished product is impacted very negatively, and the capacity is constrained.
“The impact of steady power supply in a manufacturing outfit such as this cannot be over-emphasized. The high cost of diesel and the attendant inefficiency in generating our own power supply is certainly not sustainable, both for the company and for the nation.
“It is therefore pertinent that the government encourages investors and even makes further investments in the energy sector which holds the key to unlock huge potentials in other sectors of the economy.
“On a short trip to deliver our meters from this factory to Enugu for instance, one will encounter over 15 checkpoints and roadblocks comprising police, army, produce inspection, emblem checkers and so many government and quasi government organs who stop vehicles carrying goods indiscriminately to extort and collect taxes and levies prescribed by them and often not backed by law.
“There is certainly an urgent need to improve ease of doing business, harmonise revenue/tax collection and create a more conducive environment for businesses to thrive. Ultimately, the nation benefits from increased revenue from better performing production driven enterprises,” he added.
The Vice President also had an aerial view of some gully erosion sites in the state and was briefed on the state government’s efforts to address the problem which has caused widespread damage to infrastructure and farmlands in Anambra State.
Shettima pledged the federal government’s support to the state government’s efforts to address the problem of erosion. He said that the federal government will provide financial and technical assistance to the state to implement solutions to this problem.
The VP restated federal government’s continued support for Anambra State’s economic development, saying the government will work with the state to address challenges such as gully erosion and improve road infrastructure.
His words: “Anambra State is crucial to the economy of this country, and we are going to ensure interventions in this state, from economic support to infrastructure development, are geared towards sustaining its place as an industrial and economic powerhouse.
“We are aware of the daunting challenge of gully erosion with which the state grapples, a consequence of its loose fertile soil. We are aware of the communities that this menacing force has encroached upon. We are aware of the lives and livelihoods it has devastated and threatened.
“We are also going to make our interventions in boosting our road infrastructure projects stand as tangible testaments to our commitment to connect the South-East with other sub-regions of our beloved country.
“These initiatives aim not only to bridge geographical distances but also to knit together the diversity of our nation, fostering prosperity the people deserve”.
The Vice President was received on arrival in the state by Governor Soludo; the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu; the Senator representing Anambra Central, Victor Umeh; Senator Osita Izunaso and Dr. Emeka Offor, among others
Caption
The vice president exchanging pleasantry with Anambra women at the visit
The vice president with the
Chief Executive Officer, Advanced Energy Management Solutions, Okechukwu Onyejiuwa
