From Blessing Ibunge, Port Harcourt
National Assembly members Committee on Ecology and Climate Change in collaboration with Environmental Rights Action/ Friends of the Earth Nigeria, have noted the need for the government to focus more on invention of renewable energy for clean air environment and fast development of the nation.
They made the call yesterday, during a-two-day capacity/training building workshop, organised by ERA/FoEN in Port Harcourt.
In his keynote address, the leader of NASS members and Chairman, Senate Committee on Ecology and Climate Change Senator Hassan Mohammed Gusau, noted that the Paris agreement of 2015, was a global response to climate change, mainly to reduce carbon emission to less than two degrees centigrade.
Senator Gusau affirmed that the ‘African Renewable Energy Initiative’ AREI was a robust response to take the continent away from fossil fuel carbon economy, to green energy resources.
He also observed a rising temperature as a result of rising emission from fossil energy, leading to extreme weather conditions and catastrophic events.
“This bill launches Nigeria forward on the partway to Renewable Energy Transition. Regrettably, there is lack of understanding in government operation and citizens’ sensitization in this regard,” he declared.
He said that what Nigeria need is energy access that is clean, reliable and affordable, healthy environment and decent green jobs.
The Senator stated the need for divestment from fossil fuel development, to pave the way for centralized energy system in mini – grids, off grids and nongrids system, in ways that individuals and communities can participate as products and consumers in the energy production and supply chain, ad well as share in the benefits.
Also in his welcome address, Dr Godwin Uyi Ojo, Executive Director of ERA, sought for passage of the Renewable Energy bill, and establishment of Energy Efficiency Council for Nigeria.
Dr Ojo argued that setting up of the above council, will help the country achieve what he described as ‘energy self reliance and promotion of renewable energy technologies, as well as energy efficiency best practices’.
