The Honourable Minister of State for Power, Goddy Jedy Agba, OFR has assured partners and investors of favourable policies and business – friendly environments for investment in the power sector.
The Minister gave the assurances when a team of German partners lead by Ina Hommer, Country Director, German International Cooperation (GIZ) visit him in his office in Abuja, earlier today.
The Head of Programme, Nigerian Energy Support Programme (NESP), Duke Benjamin was also part of the team that met the Minister.
While encouraging the partners and other investors to see Nigeria as Africa investment hub, the Minister added that the President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration has introduced many favourable policies to water the ground for foreign and local investors in the power sector.
Agba, however urged the team to work more closely with him for the smooth implementation of their programmes in the country.
According to him, “I welcome you to my office and thank you for coming. Our government is very open for partnership and investment in the power sector.
The President has tasked us with the responsibility of ensuring that the power situation in the country improves and from what we have been doing, we have recorded remarkable achievements.
“I want to assure you that Nigeria is running favourable policies and has business-friendly environment that partners and investors can take advantage of to do business in the power sector”.
Earlier, the Country Director, Hommer said that the NEPS which is co-funded by the European Union and German Government has carried out several projects to increase electricity supply to rural areas in the country.
She said that “between 2013-2018, NESP reached more than 15,000 people with solar-powered mini-grids that blend finance from public and private investors”.
She added that “NESP supported the implementation of energy efficient pilot projects in public and industry buildings which led to energy savings of 15% in the country”.
While pledging that the German Cooperation through NESP will continue to invest in the power sector in the country, she however appealed to the Minister to continue to woo investors to the sector.
“From what you have done so far, we want to encourage you to continue to work to draw more investors to the sector, especially the renewable energy. Use your institutional powers to connect with other ministries to also emphasize investment in sustainable renewable energy “.
Also speaking, the NESP Head of Programme, Benjamin promised to work closely with the Minister and his team to provide technical support to promote investments in the domestic market for renewable energy.
