Emma Elekwa
Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Southeast Region has expressed worry over severe impact of rising energy costs, poor electricity supply, and limited access to affordable financing on manufacturers and industries across Southeast and Nigeria at large.
Chairman, Dr. Lady Ada Chukwudozie raised the concerns at a high-level stakeholders’ conversation on electricity regulations, billing transparency, and industrial productivity in Awka, Anambra State.
She said manufacturers need to clearly understand expected supply hours, service obligations, available consumer protections, dispute resolution mechanisms and regulatory safeguards within the evolving electricity ecosystem.
According to her, improved electricity regulation and collaboration among stakeholders would significantly enhance industrial productivity, investor confidence, ease of doing business, job creation and economic growth across the region.
“The stakeholders’ conversation is deliberately designed around critical thematic areas including electricity reforms and service delivery, billing transparency, industrial productivity, regulatory safeguards, investment and infrastructure, public-private collaboration, consumer protection, and the future outlook of electricity development in the Southeast.
“At MAN Southeast, we strongly believe that sustainable reforms can only thrive where there is transparency, accountability, stakeholder engagement, regulatory responsiveness and continuous dialogue,” she said.
Appreciation to Government
Chukwudozie, who is also the Group Executive Director of the Dozzy Group and Chairman of Keystone Bank Limited appreciated State Government, ASERC, EERC and other stakeholders whose support made the event possible.
She also expressed satisfaction with efforts currently being made by FirstPower, ASERC, EERC and MainPower in improving electricity administration and regulatory oversight within Anambra and Enugu States respectively, but however noted that there are still more works ahead.
She particularly commended the FirstPower MD, Mr. Okechukwu Okafor, for honouring the invitation, describing his attendance as a demonstration of uncommon commitment to the affairs and development of power industry.
Former NERC Chairman, Dr. Sam Amadi, gave a historical overview of Nigeria’s electricity sector and the implications of the decentralization of the power sector under the Electricity Act.
She commended the regulatory commissions in Anambra and Enugu States for what he described as proactive and visionary leadership.
Chukwudozie expressed optimism that the Southeast could emerge as the region with the most effective electricity market in Nigeria if the current reforms are sustained.
