Sahara Group seeks a comprehensive solution to the nation’s power crisis.

Ibekimi Oriamaja Reports

Concerned about the lack of access to electricity in Nigeria, Sahara Group Chairman Kola Adesina has called for a comprehensive solution across the value chain.

According to him, there will be stable power supply if stakeholders address the issue of generation, transmission, and supply to customers from the start.

He spoke in Abuja, where he received an honorary fellowship from the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE).

“The moment you can resolve the issue, the moment you can get generation into a location where there is offtaker and the transmission facility is valued, then to the people ultimately in distribution,” Adesina said.

“Everything they require in the value chain must be available from the start.” That is how you ensure a consistent power supply around the world.”

He insisted that the market design be of the type that can entice investors in order to fascinate them.

He also desired less government involvement in the power business environment.

The chairman stated that the country has failed until citizens have continuous access to power.

He insisted, however, that his group cannot afford to fail.

He promised to work with NSE to ensure the defeat of darkness in Nigeria.

“We have failed until we provide 24/7 electricity,” he said.
We can’t afford to fail.
“I want to assure you that I will not detract or diminish the value of your wonderful profession.”

“I’m here to say that I will stand with you and support you to ensure that we truly conquer darkness in Nigeria.”

To back up his claim that the country has failed without 24 hour electricity, he said that smaller countries meet their power needs and questioned why Nigeria should be an exception.

He noted that many of the country’s talents have refused to contribute their experience and resources to Nigeria’s development.

He stated that the country’s missing link is the inability to have the appropriate mindset to unlock Nigeria’s potentials and convert them into opportunities.

According to him, he was initially perplexed as to why the NSE would bestow the award on him when over 200 million people only have 4500MW of power.

Adesina stated that when the Minister of Communication and Digital Economy’s representative, Isa Ali Patani, spoke at the event, he (Chairman Sahara Group) felt power was more important than communication and digital economy, noting that without electricity, communication and even agriculture would be impossible.

He went on to say that without electricity, life could be boring.

He charged all engineers and other stakeholders with figuring out how to electrify Nigeria.

“When the representative of the Honorable Minister of Communications spoke earlier, I felt there is far more important and significant than advancing the frontiers of Communication and Digital Economy Nigeria, without electricity that cannot be digital economy,” he said.

“You can’t communicate without electricity, and there’s no agriculture without electricity.” To say the least, life will be boring and boring without electricity.

“I am here to simply state that we have failed until we can guarantee Nigerians 24 hours a day, seven days a week.”

“Today’s quantum of energy in the system is completely insufficient for our population.”

“Our population is rapidly expanding, but the infrastructure required to deliver the key services that will serve as the engine to boost GDP is lagging behind.”

“Everyone of us needs to dig deeper into our minds and look for solutions that will help electrify Nigeria.”

The chairman dedicated the award to Sahara Group’s over 5000 employees at Egbin Power Plc, First Independent Power, Ikeja Electric, and Sahara Global.

Informing his team that the award is a call to provide better service to customers and humanity, he stated that the work is looking forward to them for a solution to the country’s power crisis.