Politics
THE Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN), on Wednesday, unveiled its gazette on national energy policies and national energy master plan for strategic planning and coordination of its policies.
At the unveiling event, the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, said it was imperative to monitor the activities and performance of the energy sector in the implementation of Federal Government’s policies.
Nnaji said this would open additional investment initiatives under Nigeria’s Energy Transition Plan and make bondholders, beneficiaries, suppliers, manufacturers and a host of other value chain activities generate enormous investment opportunities.
He called on the relevant stakeholders to adhere to the processes and policies in this document.
The minister added that the policy direction of the government was now transparent to all stakeholders, engendering accountability in government actions and decisions.
Nnaji said that the steps taken by the commission would enhance recognition at the international level while facilitating cooperation and alignment with international standards.
“This no doubt opens additional investment initiatives under Nigeria’s Energy Transition Plan, where the bondholders, beneficiaries, suppliers, manufacturers and a host of other value chain activities generate enormous investment opportunities.
“Another very significant achievement of these processes is, it also provides a stability and consistency framework in the decision making and planning processes, both within government and other stakeholders.
“The steps taken by the Commission will enhance this recognition at the international level while facilitating cooperation and alignment with international standards.
“I hope this will facilitate investments in the industry and promote a requisite platform for robust consideration of investment risks and prospects, especially of transition from fossil based economy to an economy driven by low carbon emissions,” he said.
In her remarks, the Special Adviser to the President on Energy, Mrs Olu Verheijen, who officially unveiled the gazette said the process was to ensure reliable and affordable energy access for all Nigerians.
According to Verheijen, this momentum requires concerted efforts from all stakeholders, including public and private sectors, civil societies and the international community to further underscore the importance of these documents that were presented.
“Let us see this as an opportunity to increase our efforts, unite our strengths, and trucking costs towards a more resilient, inclusive and prosperous energy future for Nigeria.
“Together, we can overcome our challenges and unlock the full potential of our nation’s energy resources for the benefit of all Nigerians. On behalf of the good people of Nigeria,” she said.
Earlier, the Director-General of ECN, Dr Mustapha Abdullahi, said that the gazette would help the masses, stakeholders and investors to invest in energy and also advise the nation on the best source of energy to use.
Abdullahi described the event as historic, being the first time that an energy policy document would be gazetted in Nigeria.
According to him, diversification is now the best and the only solution to the energy crisis.
He said, “If we must guarantee energy security, then we must diversify so we are saying that we have so many sources of energy that are yet untapped.
“We also made observations and realised that it is not degeneration of energy that is really the issue but conservation and utilisation.
“The document has also highlighted the best way of efficiently using our energy instead of just concentrating on generation alone.” (NAN)
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-May 08, 2024 @ 18:20 GMT|
Tags: Dr Mustapha Abdullahi ECN Uche Nnaji
