By Israel Ajenu
The Managing Director of Coleman Wires and Cables Industries Limited, George Onafowokan, has called on the Federal Government to prioritise local solutions in tackling the country’s persistent grid collapses.
Onafowokan, in a statement reacting to the frequent grid collapses and the government’s push for investment in the power sector, stressed the need for full deregulation and industrialisation of the industry.
“There is also a need for industrialisation within the sector. Obsolete wires and cables must be replaced, and all transmission and power project materials should be locally sourced, as the country has more than enough capacity to meet and exceed its needs,” he said.
While acknowledging that locally made products could be more expensive due to high production costs, the Coleman boss maintained that the right investments would only materialise under private-sector-driven policies.
He commended the current administration for its renewed focus on the power sector but cautioned that resolving the country’s electricity challenges requires sustained effort.
He said, “These challenges have persisted for years, and I sympathise with this government because they inherited these problems. Solving electricity issues is not an overnight task. When we returned to democracy, we started well, but after eight years, we became complacent.”
He blamed the recurring grid collapses and inadequate power supply on an imbalance between generation and transmission, warning that funding alone would not fix the sector’s problems.
“The billions allocated to the sector won’t make a difference without proper implementation of policies,” he added.
On the electricity tariff hike, Onafowokan stressed that manufacturers play a key role in job creation and economic stability, urging the government to adopt policies that support local industries.
Recently, the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria renewed its calls for a reduction in electricity tariffs, assuring members it would not stop campaigning for a reduction in the increased tariffs by up to 250 per cent.
MAN president Francis Meshioye, while setting up the association’s playbook for the year, noted, “We will not relent in our advocacy to see that this tariff is reduced.”
