…after Chiamanda Adichie’s enquiry
German Chancellor, Angela Merkel has explained why Siemens electricity deal with Nigeria is yet to take off after being questioned by Chiamanda Adichie.
Speaking at an event in Germany, Adichie noted that in 2019, it was announced that the Nigerian government had signed a memorandum of understanding with Siemens and it had the full backing of Chancellor Merkel.
The celebrated novelist also pointed out that Siemens’ “miraculous works” in various countries were listed at the time and it was said that Nigeria’s power will be grown in stages.
According to Adichie, two years after, the electricity issue which is the bane of Nigeria’s problem has not been fixed.
Responding, Chancellor Merkel outlined some of the reasons, stating that part of the issues had to do with funding as the source of financing the project was not explicit.
She also revealed fingered excessive local content demand as another factor militating take-off of the project.
She added that if much local content was agreed to, a failure might be recorded in regards to solar panels or gas power plants, and the investor will go back to zero.
Merkel noted that there are no industrial base in the country to demand for 40-50% local content for such a project.
When Merkel asked where the project was supposed to be sited, Adichie said, the location was not disclosed but it was agreed that the megawatts will be grown in stages.
Merkel promised to discuss later with the novelist.