House of Representatives on Wednesday reiterated its resolve towards charting a new path for the adoption of renewable and sustainable energy development in Nigeria.
Chairman, House Committee on Renewable Energy, Hon. Victor Ogene who gave the assurance in Abuja during the inauguration of the Standing Committee, applauded the House leadership for spearheading the establishment of the Standing Committee.
“As you all may know, we are pioneer members of this vital Committee, as this is the first time in the life of the Parliament, since 1999, that a Committee of Renewable Energy would be impanelled. What that implies, is a new shift from what was – which was the fixation on Nigeria’s oil wealth and the aging technology powered by obviously environmentally damaging fossil fuels.
“God in his infinite wisdom has not only blessed us with natural mineral deposits and resources, He has also given us the wisdom, intellect and ingenuity, to protect ourselves and our environment from harmful impacts of some of these resources, which we had relied upon to run our world, but which often times, we had also abused in a manner that they become harmful to us as humans, and destructive agents to our environment.
“Records, research and science have all shown, evidentially, that fossil fuels are one of such friendly enemies of mankind. When we hear about climate change or the gradual but steady destruction of the ozone layer, we in this part of the world may not relate practically to such seeming ‘abstract conversations’ that may not readily address our peculiar and immediate economic or socio-political challenges.
“But the world is changing and we as a people must not be left behind in taking actions that would protect our environment and ensure that we invest in technological developments that would better our tomorrow.
“However, the devastating and harrowing experiences in the oil-rich Niger Delta area, occasioned by oil spillages, gas flaring, water and soil pollution, that have continually destroyed agricultural activities and aquatic life in the region, are constant and relatable dangers of the adverse impact of fossil energy on our environment.
“So, the global quest for a safer, sustainable and renewable energy, is an indication that we all agree that there is a need for a new way of doing things. Besides the need for clean energy, there’s also a growing conversation across the board about sustainable development in every sphere of life, or sector of corporate or governance structures.
“Again, scientists and experts have predicted that we will deplete the Earth’s fossil fuel reserves in as few as 50 years, so, investing now in renewable energy is one way to ensure a cleaner, greener, and more sustainable future.
“And with the fast dwindling global fossil fuel reserve and the increasing danger associated with it, especially as regards its impact on the environment and climate change, renewable energy is the future and Nigeria must step up and be more intentional in investing in the renewable energy sector and technologies.
“As a Parliament, this intentional investment in this new field starts from you and I seated here. As I pointed out earlier, it is a new field, so we must all roll up our sleeves and get to work, as we delve into this uncharted path in our national development and also as lawmakers.
“For us to get it right, we must be ready and open to learn, unlearn and relearn, because critical policy and legislative framework that would make this new quest for sustainable alternative energy sources achievable would not benefit from ignorant or lackadaisical approach to national assignment.”
As stipulated in the House Standing Order, the Committee’s Jurisdiction include Nigeria Nuclear Regulatory Authority (NNRA), Nigeria Atomic Energy Commission (NAEC), Oversight over all Renewable Energy forms, including bioenergy, geothermal, hydropower, Ocean, Solar and Wind Energy; Oversight over centres for renewable energy in Federal Institutions; Oversight over all Departments and Agencies concerned with renewable energy; Formulation of policies and initiatives to accelerate investment in renewable energy technologies as well as Annual budget estimates.
To achieve the feat, he assured that members will demonstrate “patriotic zeal and passion that would be of great value to this Parliament, as the fulcrum of democracy, our great nation and democratic accountability, in the overall good of the people.
“We would be open for value-adding collaborations with stakeholders, related civil society organisations, local and international institutions and bodies, and the media, in multidimensional areas, in the singular objective of provision of helpful inputs that would help this Committee achieve its constitutional mandate and goals.”
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