Energy Sector is Key to Economic Growth – Sanwo-Olu

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has described the energy sector as a key factor in the country’s economic development.

Sanwo-Olu stated this on Friday during a visit to the Power House, the office of the Minister of Energy, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, in Abuja.

He also praised the minister for improving the situation in this sector, adding that without electricity there is no development.

The Special Adviser on Strategic Communications to the Minister of Energy, Mr. Bolaji Tunji, who disclosed this in a statement, added that Governor Sanwo-Olu also directed the directors of the ministry, who received him in the company of the minister, to further improve their performance.

The governor noted that “the energy sector is crucial to the economic recovery and development of the country,” telling them, “therefore, you need to continuously improve your performance.”

The Lagos governor added that everything revolves around the energy sector and directed the ministry to continue working with Adelabu to deliver on their mandate and change the mindset in the energy sector.

“Other key sectors depend on energy. I am here to let you know how important you are to our development. Energy is what can transform this country. We can use it as a springboard to revive our economy,” he said.

Governor Sanwo-Olu stressed that apart from boosting the private sector, adequate electricity supply would enable Nigerians to function independently.

“The President is talking about N1 trillion GDP, that is possible in five years. The private sector is the real engine of growth and when we reduce production costs by improving energy supply, the private sector will develop, it will employ more people.

“Government is not about growth, government is just an enabler of growth. So everyone has to understand that when people get power, they don’t need government, they will do things themselves and that’s how nations develop,” he said.

He also expressed optimism about the high quality of the work of the Energy Minister, taking into account his past.

Governor Sanwo-Olu also appealed to Adelabum to consider the issue of provision of energy infrastructure by Lagos State.

“Lagos is a key and important microcosm of the country and therefore special attention should be paid to it in terms of providing energy infrastructure, but we are not saying this to the detriment of other countries,” he said.

Responding on behalf of the Ministry, Permanent Secretary Mahmud Mamman thanked Governor Sanwo-Olu for the visit.

Mamman also asked for cooperation and support in implementing the ministry’s mission, adding that it is not able to implement it on its own.