Dike Onwuamaeze and Oluchi Chibuzor
The Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) has known as on the federal government to create predictable regulatory and industrial atmosphere to appeal to personal investments into small-scale Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) and Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) distribution.
The LCCI acknowledged that this may bridge the hole between the nation’s ample gasoline sources and the power necessities of productive enterprises.
It additionally known as for the institution of devoted clear power financing home windows for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to deal with excessive upfront price of photo voltaic techniques, battery storage, gasoline conversion tools and energy-efficient equipment.
These calls have been made yesterday by the President of LCCI, Mr. Leye Kupoluyi, through the chamber’s Liquefied Pressure Gas (LPG) and Downstream Natural Gas Sectoral Group’s, “LCCI Eko Gas Scheme 3.0,” occasion with the theme “Empowering SMEs Through Affordable Clean Energy.”
Kupoluyi mentioned: “Nigeria should bridge the hole between its ample gasoline sources and the power necessities of productive enterprises.
“This requires funding in gasoline gathering and processing services, transportation infrastructure, distribution networks, storage and applicable security techniques.
“We encourage the government to create a predictable regulatory and commercial environment that attracts private investment into small-scale LNG, CNG distribution and gas-based industrial energy solutions.”
He additionally made a case for strengthened regulatory coordination and coverage consistency, saying buyers required readability relating to power pricing, licencing, market entry, technical requirements, and the tasks of the totally different regulatory authorities.
“The authorities ought to guarantee efficient coordination amongst related federal and state establishments, together with power regulators, gas-sector authorities, and companies answerable for funding promotion and environmental compliance.
“It should provide targeted fiscal incentives for clean energy adoption by considering appropriate tax incentives, accelerated capital allowances, and reduced import-related costs for qualifying clean energy equipment, battery storage systems, energy-efficient machinery, and essential components that are not competitively available locally,” Kupoluyi added.
He mentioned unlocking the potential of pure gasoline and different clear power options would supply alternatives for industrial improvement, significantly the place it may substitute costlier and fewer environment friendly fuels.
“With appropriate infrastructure and commercially viable delivery systems, LNG, CNG), and other gas-based solutions can support industrial clusters, manufacturing enterprises, and businesses in areas with inadequate grid electricity,” Kupoluyi mentioned.
According to him, the last word goal was not merely to promote a specific power supply, however to scale back the overall price of power whereas bettering reliability and decreasing dangerous emissions.
He identified that unreliable electrical energy provide was compelling companies to rely on petrol and diesel turbines, which expose them to unstable gasoline costs, excessive upkeep prices, tools breakdowns and disruptions to manufacturing.
Kupoluyi mentioned Nigeria couldn’t rely completely on increasing the nationwide grid to meet the fast power wants of all SMEs.
According to him, embedded technology, renewable power mini-grids, industrial micro-grids and shared power services supply extra pathways to dependable electrical energy.
The Chairperson, LPG and Downstream Natural Gas Sectoral Group, LCCI, Mrs. Jacqueline Addy, mentioned power stays a important driver of productiveness, enterprise progress, and financial improvement.
Addy famous that the rising price of power was straight affecting working bills and revenue margins of SMEs and their potential to develop and create jobs.
She mentioned: “Access to inexpensive and dependable power is, due to this fact, important to their sustainability and competitiveness.
“Wider entry to LPG can assist companies enhance effectivity, handle power prices, and function extra sustainably.
“However, we recognise that the transition to cleaner energy must be supported by affordability, accessibility, awareness, and, above all, safety.”
