In a bold push for self-reliance, and local content development, Collective Power Limited, a surging Port Harcourt-based energy solutions powerhouse, is lobbying for targeted government policies to curb imports of certain levels of energy-solution equipment, paving the way for a homegrown manufacturing renaissance in Nigeria’s power sector.
Oghenetega Ekpamaku managing director of the company, underscored the urgency during an exclusive interview with moments after the grand unveiling of the company’s state-of-the-art operational facility in Rukpokwu, Port Harcourt. “A strategic policy framework would unlock our indigenous expertise, supercharging local content development and propelling industrialization free from foreign dependencies,” Ekpamako declared.
“This isn’t merely about revenue—it’s about cultivating a robust knowledge ecosystem that empowers us to sustain our own electrification ambitions.”
With Nigeria grappling with chronic power deficits and a ballooning import bill exceeding $2 billion annually for electrical goods, Ekpamaku’s advocacy strikes at the heart of the nation’s economic diversification agenda. He proposed a tiered import restriction regime, prioritizing low-voltage equipment (below 690 volts) that local players like his firm can already fabricate to global standards.
“Why ship in fully assembled units when we can source, assemble, and innovate right here? This would slash costs, foster retainership, and stem the brain drain eroding Africa’s progress,” he added.
Founded three years ago, Collective Power Engineering has aggressively scaled its capabilities through partnerships with international experts, immersive knowledge exchanges, and relentless upskilling programs for its engineering cadre.
These investments, Ekpamaku noted, position the company not just as a service provider, but as a catalyst for sectoral transformation—potentially creating thousands of jobs and injecting billions into the domestic economy.
The facility launch doubled as a testament to this vision, featuring a ceremonial ribbon-cutting and accolades for standout staff members.
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The event drew luminaries from the Port Harcourt Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (PHCCIMA), including President Chinyere Nwoga, who hailed the milestone as “a beacon for collaborative growth in Rivers State’s industrial ecosystem.”
As federal policymakers mull the Petroleum Industry Act’s local content mandates, Ekpamaku’s clarion call could galvanize broader reforms—signaling that Nigeria’s energy future hinges less on imported fixes and more on unleashing its latent manufacturing muscle.
For Collective Power Engineering, it’s a high-stakes bet: policy alignment could catapult the firm from niche innovator to national linchpin in Africa’s power surge.
