President Jonathan, who was represented by Vice President Namadi Sambo, said Nigeria was “fully committed to achieving our set targets in less than a decade. All tiers of government are being mobilized to play their roles in ensuring that Nigeria achieves its targets.”
“This determined response to the challenges of energy poverty in the world requires stakeholders to take concrete measures towards achieving universal access to modern energy services. It also requires the doubling of both the share of renewable energy in the global mix, and the global rate of energy efficiency. These three critical interlinked objectives are all to be achieved by 2030,” the President observed.
According to Jonathan, “Limitless opportunities abound in renewable energy. Bearing this in mind, we have set national goals and developed a power sector roadmap that will fast-track our realization of the UN targets. At our current rate of power development, through the full implementation of the roadmap, we plan to meet these targets by the year 2020.”
He added that, “Our administration is highly committed to strengthening the power sector so that it can efficiently deliver adequate, qualitative, reliable and affordable power in a deregulated market. The roadmap for the reform of the power sector, launched two years ago, brings into practical effect the 2005 Electric Power Sector Reform Act.”
The president further maintained the fact that hydro power generation sources are being exploited. “Only yesterday we had our initial meeting with the consultants and contractors for the construction of the large Mambila Hydro-power plant that will produce 3050MW.
“The processes for the construction of Zungeru 700MW hydropower plant have reached an advanced stage. Several small and medium hydropower projects are also in progress; as well as solar power projects. An MoU has already been signed with Seimens of Germany for the production of 450MW (with 7 states as first phase)”.
“Bauchi State is already off-taking. 30Mw coal to power is being pursued under PPP arrangement as well as a pilot wind power scheme in Katsina with 10Mw. Waste-to-power schemes are also being implemented in various states. To support the expected developments in addressing power, we are also addressing other areas that are militating against our growth. Education, transport; railway-waterways seaports, airports, agriculture, etc.,” he added.
The Director-General of UNIDO, Dr. Kandeh Yumkella, stressed that Nigeria was on a path to achieving the goal of sustainable energy a whole decade ahead of the target.
He said, “As a country with vast oil and gas reserves, abundant sunlight and significant hydropower potential, Nigeria should not be suffering energy crisis. Over the years, the challenge has been in formulating a consistent energy policy.
“However, going by the discussions we have had with officials of the Nigerian government, and the vision we see that the administration has already put in place, we are confident that the country is on a viable road to meeting the targets as set by the United Nations towards sustainable energy for all.”
“What is now required is a sustained political focus. Energy access must move up the political and development agendas to become a central priority,”
“The obstacles to energy access are well known. These barriers, while complex, can be overcome and international cooperation can help this process.” He added.
It would be recalled that the United Nations had in September 2011 launched the sustainable energy for all initiative to accelerate the attainment of the overall objectives of the declaration of 2012 as International Year for Sustainable Energy for All.
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