24 September 2013, Abuja – To further stimulate private sector participation in the growth and development of the Nigerian Power Sector, the Federal ministry of Power plans to showcase its achievements in the sector, from the pre-privatisation, privatisation and to the post privatisation era, at the Nigeria International Power Expo and Conference (NIPEXPO).
The ministry will also unfold programmes and policies it has put in place to improve and sustain the achievements recorded in the sector.
The 4th edition of the power expo, scheduled for October 17-19, is organised annually to provide a platform for all Nigerians and foreigners to showcase their capabilities and potential to aid in fast tracking the development of the nation’s socio-economic development.
Deputy Director, Investments and Sector Development, Mrs. K. Shonowo, in expressing the ministry’s level of preparedness for the event stated that while road-shows, conferences, consumer forums are good, they address only a segment of the populace/stakeholders, but “a forum as offered by this Expo and Conference gives nothing less than a three pronged leeway of reaching out to more people”.
According to her, the expo will provide an avenue to meet manufacturers, dealers, suppliers, experts, scholars, and financiers, policy/decision makers and executors in both the private and public sectors under one strategic business roof.
She said: “The ministry and all its departments and agencies will be strongly active in the event. I therefore invite all major local and international power companies, agencies, departments, contractors, allied sectors operators as well as states and local governments to participate in the event because of the numerous benefits derivable.”
The NIPEXPO, with a blend of both local and international flavour, is a major event where all the stakeholders meet to network, tinker and explore the various opportunities availed by the sector. This was evident in the international press briefing, which took place in Lagos last month with the presence of captain of industries in the sector.
Meanwhile major stakeholders from the private sector have also expressed confidence in the event. According to them the imperative of having a landmark event such as the power expo at this stage in the ongoing efforts to make the sector a private sector led and dominated one cannot be over-emphasised.
They expressed optimism that the event will surpass expectations owing to the fact that the sector has now been opened-up fully for the private sector to participate actively and they are equally ready to come in.
“At the debut of Nigeria International Power Expo and Conference about 4 years ago, we have been highly active and supportive of this bold initiative, hence our able presence at the inaugural edition. Since then, in full appreciation of its role in the sector, we have never relented in supporting the event. It is quickly growing to become the major private sector event that identifies and supports the federal government’s quest and drive to opening the sector for increased participation by the private sector.”
They used the opportunity to urge all stakeholders in the sector to be a part of the massive drive and key into what they termed “the year of power; utilising the window of opportunity provided by the Nigeria International Power Expo and Conference.” About 50 companies, both indigenous and international, have confirmed their participation at the grand power pack event. The cardinal project in the transformation agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan is fast tracking the development of the power/electricity sector of the economy, which is identified as the master-key to leapfrogging Nigeria’s socio-economic development and attaining the status of becoming one of the 20 most developed economies in the World by the year 2020.
This accounts for the high level of attention to details by the Minister of Power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo and his team in keying into an event of international standard as the power expo and conference at this crucial stage in the power sector to showcase the milestones the Ministry has accomplished in the ongoing efforts to reposition the sector which still requires a whole lot of efforts, collaborations, partnerships and exposure.
The federal ministry of power is exploring several strategic ways of developing further the Power industry and markets, by establishing an effective dialogue platform to level the playing field for up-keeping the growth of the most viable power market in West Africa and arguably the whole of Africa.
At the same time, through a targeted enlarged membership as well as new initiatives, the power expo will act as a powerful catalyst for the development of new and emerging markets for the power sector.
The power expo, now in its 4th year represents an excellent opportunity to explore business opportunities and meet new partners and the industry’s most influential decision makers in dynamic surroundings. The three-day event features a thought-provoking conference programme and an active exhibition floor featuring the preeminent organisations from the sector.
– This Day
