Why Government should Make Solar Power Accessible to People –Hon. Johnson Oghuma

From OBUTE JAMES

The House Committee Chairman on Environment, Hon. Johnson Egwakhide Oghuma has said that Federal Government of Nigeria need to urgently grant duty waiver on imported energy equipment like solar panel, inverters, batteries, led bulb etc.

In an interview with THE LEGISLATURE Hon. Oghuma who is representing Etsako East/West Central Federal House of Representatives said creating enabling environment for the adoption of Green Energy Technology through Duty Waivers to encourage wider access to solar energy in Nigeria will lead to the reduction of the country’s carbon footprint substantially in line with the global drive for a cleaner and healthier environment.

Oghuma had while presenting a motion in the House of Representatives said
“In 2015, the world adopted the Paris Agreement on Climate Change which is aimed at reducing global carbon footprint by 20 percent, with Nigeria being one of the signatories is committed to the reduction of its carbon footprint substantially in line with this global drive for a cleaner and healthier environment.

Nigerian government should make solar power accessible to people in the rural area

“A few years later, there has been remarkable improvements and positive developments in the area of renewable energy with global investments increasing by 17 percent and a rise in global electricity generation by 9.1 percent;

“Aware that current global trends indicate an increasing investment in renewable energy by developing countries through the provision of enabling policies and programs to encourage wider access and application of alternative energy technology especially solar and wind technologies, unfortunately, Nigerian government policies in this direction have not been encouraging; Also aware that success being recorded in curbing greenhouse gas emissions is estimated to account for an avoidance of 1.3 gigatonnes, success is due to the rising awareness worldwide on the importance of Clean Energy;

“Again aware that Nigeria with its huge potentials for solar energy can achieve a reduction of about 31 million tons of greenhouse gas emission by the year 2030 if it seriously encourages the greater adoption of alternative/renewable energy; Cognizant that investment in this sector comes with other economic advantages such as direct or indirect employment; reduction in expenditure on fossil fuels and electricity bills, protection of biodiversity, increasing available energy sources, attracting advance technology at decreased costs through the economies of scale.”

He said “Providing the enabling environment will not only ensure increased access to more sources of the power supply but will also encourage the transfer of renewable energy technology in Nigeria.”

According to him, the cost of renewable energy technologies, particularly solar technology in Nigeria is still very expensive and out of the reach of ordinary Nigerians;

“Appreciates the need for Nigeria to join the group of progressive countries working towards mitigating global warming by adopting alternative and renewable energy technologies.”

His prayer that the House Urge the Federal Government to provide special incentives through duty waivers or tariff reductions on imported renewable energy equipment like solar panels, inverters, batteries, LED bulbs etc. while encouraging investments in Climate-smart energy projects was adopted.

The House also mandated its Committees on Environment and Climate Change to interface with the Ministries of Environment, Finance, Science and Technology and the Energy Commission of Nigeria with a view to coming up with policies/programmes that will encourage alternative/renewable energy development to reduce global warming and report back within eight (8) weeks for further legislative action.