By Adegbenro Barakat Opeyemi( Siwes Student, Moshood Abiola Polytechnic)
During the 20th anniversary celebration of British American Tobacco Nigeria at its Ibadan factory, Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State declared his administration’s commitment to lead Nigeria in achieving energy sufficiency.
Governor Makinde underscored the critical role of stable energy supply for Oyo State’s economic growth, expressing readiness to collaborate with BATN to achieve this goal.
Notable progress has already been made in increasing energy availability across the state, with plans underway to extend these efforts statewide.
Highlighting the significance of stakeholder collaboration in the energy sector, the governor announced the imminent commissioning of a 1.4-megawatt solar plant, aligned with the state’s aspirations.
He emphasized the establishment of an Energy Ministry and the impending unveiling of an 11-megawatt power plant, a significant portion powered by solar and gas energy.
Furthermore, Governor Makinde pledged to enact legislation for the State Electricity Regulatory Commission, marking a pivotal step towards energy sufficiency.
He lauded BATN for its contributions to Oyo State’s economic and environmental sustainability and urged other businesses to emulate such commitment.
Kola Karim, BAT Nigeria Chairman, acknowledged the company’s role in Nigeria’s economic progress and expressed gratitude to the people of Oyo State, reaffirming BAT’s dedication to sustainability.
Yarub Al-Bahrani, Managing Director of BAT Nigeria, reiterated the company’s commitment to fostering economic growth and supporting local communities.
The recent enactment of the Electricity Bill, empowering states, companies, and individuals in electricity generation, transmission, and distribution, marks a significant shift towards addressing Nigeria’s power challenges.
This legislative stride aims to accelerate the power sector’s development and ensure wider electricity access across the nation, garnering widespread support from the private sector.
