Adamu Suleiman, Sokoto
For Nigeria to attain positive economic growth for national development, it must accelerate mechanisms that would ensure sufficient energy production and utilisation by decentralising the system and process.
Dr. Habib Nuhu, a Geologist and Public Sector Energy policy specialist, who made this statement at the 2nd National Colloquium with theme: “The Role of Energy in National Development,” held yesterday at the Giginya Hotel, Sokoto, noted that energy formed 50 percent of the critical element that impact in determining national and human development.”
Engineer Zayyanu Tambari Yabo, the convener of the Colloquium, said energy remains an important driving force for national development, hence the urgent need to embrace renewable energy as a more reliable alternative source to guarantee sufficiency and accessibility to users.
“We need renewable alternative source to complement our demand for energy. Our current frame work has not yet evolved up to 10 percent despite our favourable position production wise”, he said, adding, “Our energy framework lacks the instruments of decentralised policy which affects our progress as a result of failures and the implications are counter- productive to our development index.
READ ALSO: Malami: Govt opens probe into Sowore-DSS incident
“Nigeria must redesign an energy framework that will recognise R&D, legal support frame work, and take into account the population and environment to fast track national change through energy resources”, he pointed out.
Earlier, Chairman of the event, Mr. Osten Olorunsola, represented by Professor Emeritus, Omowumi Iledare, said no economy can grow to an enviable position without recourse to energy as a necessary tool.
According to Omowumi, “there is an inter twin correlation between Energy Consumption Per Capita and GDPPC indices.
“Energy propels the economy and therefore we must develop a philosophy of managing issues and being mindful of our resources and how to best utilise same for our growth and development.”
In his brief remarks, the Convener, Engineer Zayyan Tambari Yabo, said he was inspired by the legacies of the founding fathers of the historic Sokoto Caliphate, who dwelled on the concept and mission of education and knowledge.
“I am following their footprint to also leave a mark on the sands of history for coming generations,” he said.
Also speaking, the Special Guest of honour and Sokoto State Commissioner for Energy and Petroleum Resources, Alhaji Aliyu Dandin Mahe, noted that the colloquium had captured the wisdom and beneficial approach of the state government for establishing the ministry.
Meanwhile, a 9-man discussant panel raised at the colloquium, which had experts like Prof. Sunday Adefila, Ahmed Auwalu Ilu, Engr. Chinyere Nnenna, Engr. Auwal Anwar, Prof. Paul Mamza, Mr Kronakegha Uti, Dr Dankani Ibrahim Mustapha and Hadiza Garbati, noted with concern, the need for responsive energy security mechanism to drive sufficiency as a critical component for national development.
Leave a Reply