Expert asks FG to improve, sustain renewable energy

Abuja -  Mr Phillip Okoroafor, an expert in renewable energy, on Thursday  in Abuja has called on the Federal Government to improve the nation’s renewable energy so as to develop other sectors of the economy.

He said that Nigeria as a country endowed with immense renewable energy sources had ironically, been suffering from inadequate power supply to meet the energy needs of its people.

Renewable energy is energy which comes from natural resources such as sunlight, wind, rain tides and geo-thermal heat which are naturally replenished.

Okoroafor said that wind and sunshine were used in most countries around the world for the economic growth and development of such countries.

He said that renewable energy would help to supplement the basic needs of electricity and water supply, hence there was need for diversification of the energy source.

Okoroafor added that solar-powered electricity generation would help to tackle the problems of climatic change and assist the government to achieve a green economy.

He noted that the incessant purchase of generator sets as a substitute for electricity could be hazardous to the health of the people and the environment.

“ Nigerians need to help the environment because the use of generator is increasing tremendously and this can destroy the environment.

“If we continue this way in the next six or 10 years, we may not have a clean environment.

“Because of this, we need to find solution from the alternative energy and other sources like bio-fuel, bio-ethanol which can be used to generate electricity. ’’

He noted that if stakeholders in the private and public sectors would invest in renewable energy sources, the problem of inadequate electricity supply in the country would be solved.

“In the last 35 years, power supply in the country has been epileptic and in many areas across the nation, Nigerians have come to accept darkness as a way of life, ’’ he said.

The expert said that inadequate power supply had drastically affected the economy as many industries had to rely on diesel- powered generators to stay in business.

He expressed regrets that many industries had since closed down as they could not keep up with the high cost of doing business in the country.

Okorafor advised that Nigerians should utilise the scorching sunshine in cities in northern states to provide electricity for citizens.

He argued that provide adequate energy would make the nation to achieve its goal of becoming one of the 20 biggest economies in the world by 2020. (NAN)