On Thursday, Vice-President Kashim Shettima inaugurated Advanced Energy Management Solutions Ltd., an electric metre-manufacturing company, in Anambra.

Mr Shettima unveiled the factory in Oraifite, Ekwusigo LGA. He was joined by Governor Charles Soludo, top government officials and captains of industries at the event.

“I am happy to be here and to the glory, I commission this factory,” Mr Shettima said.

The firm’s chief executive officer, Okechukwu Onyejiuwa, said the factory had the capacity of manufacturing 1.4 million meters per annum and commenced operations last year.

Mr Onyejiuwa said the company’s entrance into the meter asset provider industry would bridge the perennial metering gap in the country and ensure greater value for electricity companies and consumers.

He said the facility could produce single-phase, three-phase, and maximum demand meters and was equipped with advanced, cutting-edge equipment and machinery to manufacture a wide range of smart energy meters.

“The establishment of the factory is to support government efforts to resolve the power supply challenges facing the country by addressing the critical issue of a very high metering gap amongst consumers,” stated Mr Onyejiuwa.

He added, “It is also a direct response to the call by the federal government for local and foreign investors to invest in Nigeria, create jobs and stimulate economic activities all around the country.”

According to Mr Onyejiuwa, the company’s products have about 60 per cent local content, and the firm’s operations have many employment benefits with huge positive social impacts.

He called on the federal government to support local meter manufacturing companies and encourage more players to join as part of the deliberate effort to achieve the aims of the National Mass Metering Programme.

He said there was an urgent need to improve the ease of doing business, harmonise revenue/tax collection and create a more conducive environment for businesses to thrive. 

“In addition to direct jobs, we estimate that there will also be over 4,000 indirect jobs created by the activities of this company. The operations of this factory will stimulate economic activities in the country, especially given the high-tech nature of the skills required for the manufacturing process,” Mr Onyejiuwa explained.

He also mentioned that to deliver “our meters from this factory to Enugu, for instance, one will encounter over 15 checkpoints and roadblocks comprising police, army, produce inspection, and emblem checkers.”

“So many government and quasi-government agents stop vehicles carrying goods indiscriminately to extort and collect taxes and levies prescribed by them and often not backed by law,” said Mr Onyejiuwa. 

(NAN)