The House of Representatives Committee on Power has assured the Master’s Energy Metering Company of its unalloyed support in providing an enabling environment for its growth by creating a cordial relationship between the Federal Ministry of Power, Electricity Distribution Companies and the Master’s Energy Metering Company.
During an inspection visit of the Master’s Energy group on Tuesday, September 3rd, 2024, the House of Representatives, led by Chairman Victor Nwokolo, the member representing Ika South and Ika North Federal Constituency in Delta State, stated that discussions will be held with DisCos for a partnership to increase patronage, which would boost production and create more employment opportunities for Nigerians.
Hon. Nwokolo disclosed that the Presidency is in the process of acquiring meters to address the issue of estimated bills for consumers. He also revealed that the government does not need to employ people, but rather provide an enabling environment and pointed out that this has not been the case with Masters Energy.
“What we have seen here today gladdens our hearts but this was achieved through self-help and not by government. They achieved all these through a tedious process. We are aware that there’s no electricity connected to the national grid. They are running on generators and with the cost of petrol today, invariably half of the daily expenditure is spent on diesel which is not sustainable. So we will look into that if not the poor masses will suffer the brunt. So we will have to do something to bring down the cost of production.”
Applauding the management team of Masters Energy led by the Managing Director Prince Mba on the journey so far, the House Committee on Power made it clear that if the minimum is done by the government in connecting the Group to the national grid, it would solve a big problem.
Commenting on the refusal of Distribution Companies (DisCos) to purchase meters from the group, Hon. Nwokolo said that the visit will go beyond the House Committee on Power. The Committee will also relay what they have seen so far to the Minister of Power so that the group can be patronized. This, in turn, will provide jobs for Nigerians and help to solve a percentage of the insecurity bedevilling the country.
“We will discuss with DisCos and make a policy that would suit both the seller and the buyer. Masters Energy does not supply directly to consumers but to DisCos so the policy will give a time to the DisCos to purchase and make payment to the seller.”
In his speech, the founder of Masters Energy Group and former Minister of Mines and Steel, Dr Uche Ogah, lamented the poor road infrastructure leading to the group, which employs 3,000 Nigerians. He stated that he envisions contributing to the economic growth of Nigeria through the economic city which has been built.
“Our biggest problem is logistics here. We don’t have water or power. Our roads are bad.”
He said the Company planned to provide 50,000 Jobs for Nigerian People.
“Our intentions is to put 50,000 Nigerians directly under our Employment “
“We have never benefited anything from Government, infact Bank of Industry Told us to bring an Industry in Lagos as a collateral for them to support what we are doing here “
“We want to get the Masters Energy to be part of the development of the Nigerian economy
“Here today we have 2000 workers working in several sectors of the Company”he said.
Dr Ogah urged the Federal government to be liberal in its investment in different regions as what is obtainable in Lagos State and Abuja can be obtainable in South East.
“We will go a long way if we have the support of the Federal government. We have just purchased land to build a housing unit for our staff. If we have funding, it would be helpful.”
The former Minister stated that he expects a cordial relationship with the House Committee on Power, Senate Committee on Power and the Federal government so that there will be high patronage on the over 106,000 metres so that it can continue to turn over and contribute to the growth of the country.
While speaking, Managing Director Prince Mba highlighted that Master’s Energy, which commenced production in 2006, not only manufactures instant noodles but also operates M.E. Metering Company Limited, Masters Plastic Plant, Masters Cartons and Dry Mix, Masters Lube, Masters PVC, Masters Soap Plant, Aluminium Plant, and Masters Table Water Plant.
“Our Metering Factory is Situated in the Masters Energy Group Industrial City, This city is probably the largest Production hub in the South East with over ten Companies producing various goods, providing employment to over 3000 People”
“Masters Metering Company which produces Single Phase and Three Phase Prepaid Meters, prepared Meter Production will soon start, while Masters Noodles, Masters Plastics plant, Master Ma Cartons and Dry Mix,Musters Lub, Masters PVC, Masters Soap Plant, Aluminum Plant,and Masters Table Water are all producing with few others which will commence operation soon”
“Honourable Members will be surprised to hear that the huge Investments made by Masters Energy in this City run on Private Supply, the entire community has been off the National Grid for about 10years Now”
“Various Roads to the Industrial City Are in Deplorable Conditions, water is not within reach in this Locality. We spend so much to Produce our own Water.”
He revealed that the Company has gotten all approval for Energy Metering including STS Association Of Conformance for Single Phase and theee Face Metering, the Nigerian Electricity Certificate among others.
“So far we currently have 14,000 Customers who use our Meters and the Industry has a functional Plastic Factory that can Produce Meter Box, Meter Cover, Meter Casing”
The Company called on the House of Representatives to assist them in getting approval for massive Meter distributions as he said the Company has 150,000 Meters already on the ground.
The House Committee toured other facilities in the Company and expressed satisfaction with what they saw.
