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 entice non-public investments into small-scale Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) and Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) distribution.
The LCCI said that this may bridge the hole between the nation’s considerable gasoline assets and the vitality necessities of productive enterprises.
It additionally known as for the institution of devoted clear vitality financing home windows for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to tackle excessive upfront value of photo voltaic techniques, battery storage, gasoline conversion gear and energy-efficient equipment.
These calls had been made yesterday by the President of LCCI, Mr. Leye Kupoluyi, in the course of 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 stated: “Nigeria should bridge the hole between its considerable gasoline assets and the vitality necessities of productive enterprises.
“This requires funding in gasoline gathering and processing amenities, transportation infrastructure, distribution networks, storage and acceptable 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 vitality pricing, licencing, market entry, technical requirements, and the obligations of the completely different regulatory authorities.
“The authorities ought to guarantee efficient coordination amongst related federal and state establishments, together with vitality regulators, gas-sector authorities, and businesses accountable 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 stated unlocking the potential of pure gasoline and different clear vitality options would provide alternatives for industrial growth, significantly the place it might substitute dearer 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 stated.
According to him, the last word goal was not merely to promote a selected vitality supply, however to cut back the entire value of vitality whereas bettering reliability and lowering dangerous emissions.
He identified that unreliable electrical energy provide was compelling companies to depend upon petrol and diesel turbines, which expose them to unstable gas costs, excessive upkeep prices, gear breakdowns and disruptions to manufacturing.
Kupoluyi stated Nigeria couldn’t rely solely on increasing the nationwide grid to meet the rapid vitality wants of all SMEs.
According to him, embedded era, renewable vitality mini-grids, industrial micro-grids and shared vitality amenities provide extra pathways to dependable electrical energy.
The Chairperson, LPG and Downstream Natural Gas Sectoral Group, LCCI, Mrs. Jacqueline Addy, stated vitality stays a crucial driver of productiveness, enterprise progress, and financial growth.
Addy famous that the rising value of vitality was straight affecting working bills and revenue margins of SMEs and their capability to develop and create jobs.
She stated: “Access to inexpensive and dependable vitality is, due to this fact, important to their sustainability and competitiveness.
“Wider entry to LPG may also help companies enhance effectivity, handle vitality 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.”
