Officials of Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria (ERA/FoEN) has called on the Federal Government to ban the use of electricity generating set by Ministries, Department and Agencies (MDAs) across the country. The Executive Director of the group, Dr. Godwin Uyi Ojo made the call while advocating for the formulation and implimentation of National Renewable Energy Policy and Legal Framework in the country.
He said if the country fails to review its power strategy, it would be left behind in the global shift from fossil fuel to renewable energy which seeks to protect the environment.
According to him “The rising energy demand outstrips supply hovering around 5,000 MW. As a result of the heavy shortfall, about 70 percent of the 170 million people depend solely on fuel wood energy, representing one of the world’s highest deforestation rate of 3.5 percent annually."
“The Federal Government and indeed other levels of governance in Nigeria lack a conscientious and holistic approach to addressing the energy shortfall through alternatives in solar powered lighting system”.
Dr. Ojo said for the Government to make remarkable leap in this area, it should ban the use of generating set by MDAs across the country and invest resources in renewable energy.
