Arthur Anthony Okeyika
OpenLife Nigeria reports that Dr. Arthur Anthony Okeyika, Chairman /Chief Executive Officer, Arthur Energy Technology and Green Energy City group was the man who assembled the first solar tricycle in Nigeria.
In this interview with OpenLife’s Senior Staff Writer, Isaac Ngumah, he speaks on his mission to solve energy crises in the country
What is the business focus of Arthur Energy Technology company?
Arthur Energy Technology Ltd is a solar energy company. We are into renewable energy, solar wind energy and anything that has to do with solar energy.
We have been in the business for over fifteen years and we have offices in Lagos and in Onitsha, Anambra State and we are fully into solar.
We are the first company that has assembled the first solar tricycle in Nigeria in 2015 that was unveiled by Amina Muhammed who was then the Minister for Environment.
The solar tricycle was approved by the former Vice President Femi Osibanjo in Onitsha in 2018.
Why Did You Go Into Solar Energy Business?
I have passion for it and also because of the energy crises in Nigeria.
So I want to provide solutions to the energy problems in Nigeria, and I have the passion to solve the energy problems in Nigeria.
What Can You Say On The Energy Crises In Nigeria?
The energy crises in Nigeria is something that can be solved but they are using it as politics.
Nigeria can solve the energy problems if they want to and we have other alternative apart from the grid that we are using.
We can adopt renewable energy both solar and wind energy which are abundant in the country.
But because of politics and the interest of few individuals, epileptic power supply in the country still persists.
But individually, we are fighting to solve the problems. Outside politics and selfish interests of few individuals, we have the resources to provide energy that would be enough for the whole country.
Solar and wind energy are effective ways to go because we have enough sun in Nigeria and if it is well harnessed energy problems will be solved.
What Advice Do You Have For The Government On This?
If they can be serious about it and if they can remove politics and personal interest, the challenge will be solved.
They should invest in renewable energy. It is a clean energy. It doesn’t have pollutions. So all they need is to have a policy that will support the renewable energy .
They need to invest in it though it is capital intensive and it is the cheapest energy that you can use.
List Out The Products That You Have
I am into solar panel battery and inverter etc. We Install solar and we are also into production.
We want to launch out other electric power which is powered by solar and electric power and we are also going to assemble it here in Nigeria.
We have also produced a lot of things like solar handwashing and sanitizing machine which was used during the covid 19 and almost in the whole Anambra state and local government areas.
We have designed solar power grounding machine we have designed solar power, power bank and solar generators. We have produced a lot of things from solar.
What Are The Challenges?
The challenges in the business is finance. You know it is capital intensive. In the assembly of solar tricycle, the challenges we are having now are funds.
It is capital intensive we need to build an assembly plant charging station and battery swapping station.
Finance is the challenge we are having and the banks are not helping the matter because of the high interest rate and the condition for loan. Finance is the main challenge we are having in the business.
How Is Your Customer Relationship?
All of our customer are happy with the way we do business with them. We reach out to them through customer care service.
Whenever we install solar, we give warranty after sale service. We have a good relationship with our customers and also they refer us to others.
How is your delivery?
The home delivery service has to do with the installation of solar which has to happen in the home.
So we deliver fast and also our work are handled professionally. Our delivery is timely.
Is Solar Energy Business Striving In Nigeria?
Yes, it is striving. Many people have started adopting solar energy because the grid is not stable and also the cost of fuel and diesel has forced people to go into solar energy. It is the best energy that you can use.
What is your business philosophy?
our business philosophy is to provide solutions to peoples’ need most especially in transport business.
We have lot of problems in transport business because of the high cost of fuel.
That is why we ventured into electric tricycle so that people can drive their vehicles without bordering about fuel and diesel because we have enough sun in Nigeria.
We decided to add solar panel to our tricycle so that during the day, as you drive, the solar panel will also be topping up the battery and without the construction of service station and battery swapping station business will not strive.
Initially, we design charging station because it takes many hours to charge the battery. We design battery swapping station.
You go to the swapping station and swap your battery with already charged one so all those are the strategies that we are putting in place to make the mobile transportation a successful one.
How Is Competition?
The competition may be some companies that are producing like Innosson and other companies that are producing the same thing.
The challenge is not too much because they don’t have the construction on the ground. So, concerning the competition we are at the top.
We are trying to put all the construction in place and we are working to outsmart our competitors.
Tell Us About Your Innovation And Ideas
I am focusing on the E-mobile transportation.
So we are working on construction of the charging station and battery swapping station now.
That is where my concentration is for now.
Target?
My target is to see the country adopting the E-mobility where we can put away the vehicles that are using fuel and diesels and make our environment clean by using E-mobility. That is my target.
Do You Have A Training Programmes For Those That Want To Go Into Solar Energy Business?
Yes, we have trainings. We have what we call Intensive training. We also organise seminars and training for people.
Intensive training is where we train people on a daily basis trying to build the work force.
Which other businesses do you do?
We are also into real estate. That is where the green city energy comes in.
We want to design a city whereby there will be no pollution, no noise and it will be clean and healthy.
In our estate, if we build house we put solar energy for you there.
We have charging station where you can charge your electric vehicles.
We are trying to build a workforce so that we can have people that can handle the solar Installations in our real estate.
We are training youths that can be employed. We give them work after the training. They can work in the assembly plant, charging station and also Installation of solar in the real estate.
It Means You Are Creating Jobs?
By training the youths, we are also creating jobs in the country. I have trained over one thousand people in solar energy and most of them are doing well after the training. We will give you support and make sure that you stand.
How Will You Describe The Growth Of Your Business?
We started little by little but now we have grown from solar energy to real estate.
So, we are growing rapidly by the grace of God. We started in one shop but now we have about three offices and we are developing our assembly plant.
The growth also includes the real estate. We have about seven estates we are working on now.
About Author
