The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, South-East Zone, has raised concerns over the high cost of electricity, saying most manufacturers in the region are operating below 30 per cent of their installed capacity due to the energy crisis.
- +MAN decries high electricity costs in South-East
The Chairman of MAN, South-East Zone, Lady Adaora Chukwudozie, disclosed this on Friday while speaking with journalists on the sidelines of a one-day symposium on ‘South East Industrial Energy Solutions and Investment’ held at the Dora Akunyili Women Development Centre in Awka, Anambra State.
The Chairman of MAN, South-East Zone, Lady Adaora Chukwudozie, disclosed this on Friday while speaking with journalists on the sidelines of a one-day symposium on ‘South East Industrial Energy Solutions and Investment’ held at the Dora Akunyili Women Development Centre in Awka, Anambra State.
She appealed to the Federal Government, South-East governors and other stakeholders to urgently intervene, warning that the region’s manufacturing sector was under severe pressure.
“At the moment, most manufacturers in the South-East region are operating below 30 per cent of their stock capacity due to the high cost of electricity,” Chukwudozie said.
She added that the situation had worsened because the region was yet to benefit from the National Gas Pipeline, leaving many manufacturers dependent on diesel-powered generators.
“Many manufacturing hubs are almost going moribund in Nigeria. And most of them in the South-East region are operating below 30 per cent on their stock capacity due to lack of money to buy diesel to power their generators.
“We, the manufacturers in the South-East region, are the worst hit because we are currently eluded from the National Gas Pipeline and, as a result of that, we have high inventory stocks in our various warehouses.
“The development has caused us more disadvantages and less privilege in the manufacturing sector of this country. With all honesty, the electricity challenges have really affected our existence in the South-East region, but I strongly believe that through this new initiative, our electricity supply will increase to at least 45 per cent,” she said.
Chukwudozie said the association had launched the Industrial Energy Adoption Programme under MAN’s Manpower Development Company Limited to provide manufacturers with affordable, reliable and sustainable energy solutions.
“The sole aim of the initiative is to provide adequate productivity, build confidence, strengthen partnerships and help manufacturers make informed decisions about affordable, reliable and sustainable industrial power in Nigeria,” she said.
According to her, manufacturers had repeatedly complained to relevant authorities about the rising cost of energy without receiving meaningful intervention.
She described energy as the foundation of manufacturing, warning that unreliable and expensive electricity was driving up production costs, reducing competitiveness and discouraging investment.
“For manufacturers, energy is far more than a production input. It is the foundation of productivity, competitiveness and growth. When energy becomes unreliable or unaffordable, production costs increase, expansion slows, competitiveness declines and investment becomes more difficult. That is why energy has become one of the defining issues for the future of manufacturing in Nigeria,” she said.
She added that the symposium was designed to bring together government officials, regulators, financiers, technology providers, engineering experts and manufacturers to develop practical solutions to Nigeria’s energy challenges.
Chukwudozie commended Juddy-Bolema Industries Limited for becoming one of the first manufacturers to participate in the initiative and also praised Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, for providing an enabling environment for the programme.
In separate remarks, the Secretary to the Anambra State Government, Chiamaka Nnake, and the Managing Director of Huawei Technologies Nigeria, Green Quan, pledged support for MAN’s efforts to strengthen industrial development in the region.
The symposium, themed “From High Energy Costs to Affordable Power: An Opportunity for Manufacturers,” was attended by the President of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, Otunba Francis Meshioye, the traditional ruler of Umueri, Igwe Ben Emeka, and manufacturers from Anambra, Enugu and Ebonyi states.
