The annual power generation, steel production exhibition and conference draws experts to map strategies to tackle Nigeria’s power sector challenge
By PORTIA ONWUYALIM
That power failure has become a regular feature of Nigeria’s national life is no longer news, what may however be news is that an international forum on power is holding in the country to proffer solutions to the problem. Tagged: The Annual Power Generation and Steel Production Exhibition and Conference Event, this year’s theme is The Road to Stable Power and Sustainable Development in Nigeria, and it is geared towards creating an appropriate platform for all power and steel industry players across the globe to cross-fertilise ideas about how to address the energy challenge of the country.
Scheduled for the International Conference Centre, Abuja, between May 22 and 24, the event will also serve as a catalyst to unlock the Nigerian and West African economy to investment in the power and steel sectors.
In August 2010, the federal government launched the road map for power sector reform, soliciting for private sector partnership involvement in the journey to achieving a sustainable stable power supply in the country. William Dexter, project consultant, Kune Igoni, director of events, West Africa Exhibitions and Conferences, organisers of the trade show, say the event which will be opened by President Goodluck Jonathan will have in attendance both the national and states’ Integrated Power Project, IPP, contractors, consultants and over 1,000 international conference delegates, exhibitors, and visitors across the globe.
Igoni further explained that the event, which was earlier scheduled for February 7 to 9, was shifted as a result of accommodation due to the large number of delegates and exhibitors expected from the Peoples Republic of China, who were celebrating the Spring Festival holiday.
He also added that the forum will create the enabling environment needed by senior government personnel, industry decision makers, and other key sector player to discuss and synergise on opportunities in the power and steel sectors. He said the event is bound to be a huge success with the wide endorsements coming from major international industry players, the Nigerian and South African governments’ key personnel, including the Power Holding Company of Nigeria; Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission; Niger Delta Power Holding Company; Electric Power Foundation; Nigeria Ministry of Mines and Steel Development; Department of Energy, South Africa; and Danieli Steel, Italy.
