Shafa Energy, NNPC New Energies Limited (NNEL - a subsidiary of the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) and Nigus International have launched Nigeria’s first Electric Vehicle (EV) charging station in Abuja.
Shafa Energy, NNEL and Nigus also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the development of charging stations across Nigeria, which will see the spread of similar facilities nationwide.
The event according to the organizers marked a major step for the country’s aspiration to wean itself off other expensive sources of energy.
The Chairman and Chief Executive of Shafa Energy, Abdulmumini Maishanu, in his remarks at the event which held at Mabushi in Abuja, said that the objective of the venture was to ensure that electric vehicles and Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) become good alternatives to the very expensive fossil fuels.
He noted that the plan was to ensure the survival of the country due to the current economic conditions, expressing his commitment to the federal government’s initiative to embrace cheaper fuels.
He stated that even though the rest of the world was already ahead, it was good for Nigeria to start somewhere.
He added that he was glad that his company was chosen as a partner in the pilot phase of the programme.
The Managing Director of NNEL, Kanayo Odoe, in his address described renewable energy as the future, “considering that they are cheaper, cleaner and less harmful to the environment and human health.”
He said that NNPCL as an organisation has a lot of interest in cleaner sources of fuels with the establishment of the new subsidiary, adding that apart from charging vehicles, the new stations will also be able to power homes.
Odoe: “This is the way of the future. This is the way of the world. Aside from maybe climate change, we are particular too about the health impacts of fossil fuels on the environment.
“So, this is a no-brainer. Also, you consider the economics of it. This is cheaper for our people. So, coming together to push for renewable energy is in the interest of our nation as one of the options for energy sources.
“Our Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPCL is very particular about renewable energies. And that has led to the birth of NNPC New Energies Limited.
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“So, moving forward, there’s going to be a lot of action in this space. And this action in this space will lead not only to EVs recharging stations, but also lighting up Nigeria through solar,” Odoe explained.
Besides the north, he said that the charging stations will also be expanded to the south because there’s sunlight in all parts of Nigeria.
He promised to work Shafa Energy and Nigus International to spread cheaper sources of energy to consumers.
“So we have the Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM), Nigus; you have the NNPC, we are the non-operators in this case, so NNEL is working with Nigus to supply the equipment, charging stations across Nigeria.
“And Shafa Energy retail outlets will hold the charging equipment. So, Shafa Energy is the base upon which the charging stations will sit.
“So the source of energy is limitless, as long as the sun will have generation of energy without looking for diesel or PMS (Premium Motor Spirit) at a cost.
“This is straight source from God that we’re utilising and aside from charging vehicles, you can also use this to power homes,” he said.
On his part, Chairman of Nigus International, Malik Ado-Ibrahim, noted that as a company operating in 18 countries, Nigus has developed over one GigaWatts of storage, with the lithium coming from Nasarawa, Niger and Taraba states.
He lauded the NNPC, stressing that the firm has been able to do what every other big multinational organisation has done and has diversified its portfolio into other areas like CNG and EVs in the nearest future.
Also, the Chief Executive of Electric Motor Vehicle Company (EMVC), an indigenous Nigerian EV company, Mustapha Audu, said the latest initiative, when expanded, will reduce the cost of logistics which affect prices of goods and by extension the welfare of the citizens.
He urged government to patronise local manufacturing firms, explaining that this will help boost the economy.
