Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry dey call for cheaper finance to help small businesses change how dem get and use energy. The appeal cover solar equipment, batteries, gas conversion and machines wey dey use energy better, plus the infrastructure wey go make those investments useful.
For Eko Gas Scheme 3.0 programme for Lagos, chamber president Leye Kupoluyi ask for special finance, tax incentives and better gas distribution. The programme also include 100 LPG cylinders and accessories for beneficiaries. Food vendors na among the businesses wey dem discuss.
These na two different kinds of support. Cylinder distribution fit reduce the first equipment cost for selected business. Finance programme fit reach more people, but the chamber request no mean say new loan product don open or say every applicant go qualify.
The bill wey dey come regularly matter as much as purchase price. For food business, equipment go get lasting value only if correct fuel remain available and affordable. For another business, battery or solar system must fit the work wey e suppose do. If you choose technology before you define the work, cost comparison no go too help.
Better assessment start with present energy bill, hours wey you dey use am and wetin interruptions dey cost. Then put new equipment, installation, maintenance and loan payment together. This method separate low buying price from lower total running cost, wey be wetin business really need.
The event discussion also focus on safe use and checking beneficiaries after dem collect equipment. To count items wey dem share easy; to know whether people continue to use dem well need another check. Number of items or projected savings no prove wetin one business go eventually gain.
For entrepreneurs, wetin dey happen now na industry call for affordable energy investment and small distribution scheme. The bigger test na whether lenders, energy companies and government go turn the request into clear offers with published conditions, costs and reliable supply. Until then, separate proposals from programmes wey you fit really join.