In a bid to enhance power infrastructure for manufacturers and business owners in Nigeria, the Federal Government has announced that the Agbara Industrial Hub is now connected to the national grid.
Doris Uzoka-Anite, the Minister of Industry, Trade, and Investment, made this announcement during the recently concluded 2024 Manufacturing Association of Nigeria (MAN) Summit in Abuja.
Uzoka-Anite highlighted that connecting the Agbara Industrial Hub to the national grid is part of the federal government’s ongoing Light Up project, which aims to provide sustainable energy to the manufacturing industry.
She explained that the Light Up project includes connecting all industrial hubs, such as the Tokarawa Industrial Hub in Kano and the Nnewi Hub in Anambra, to affordable energy sources, either from the national grid or alternative gas sources.
“This initiative is expected to reduce energy costs in these key areas by about 60%, which will, in turn, lower the cost of goods and services across the country,” she stated.
Uzoka-Anite also mentioned that the government has begun the process of mapping out major industrial clusters nationwide to provide local manufacturers with targeted interventions to boost their vibrancy and competitiveness.
“Many of our industrial clusters still lack efficient and affordable power supply. We have launched the Light Up campaign, starting with the Agbara industrial hub, which is now connected to the national grid. We are also making arrangements to connect other industrial hubs like Mowe, Tokarawa market in Kano, and the Nnewi industrial cluster in Anambra to the national grid or gas where necessary,” she added.
The Industrial Clusters Power Project, part of the federal government’s initiative to illuminate industrial clusters nationwide, began in October 2023 and is overseen by Vice President Kasim Shettima.
