Former Director General of the Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN), Prof. Abubakar Sambo, has called for more investments in renewable energy sources, so as to achieve maximum power supply in the country.
Sambo, former Presidential Adviser on energy matters and two-time Vice Chancellor, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi and Kaduna State University, made the call on Wednesday at the third public lecture of the Sokoto state university in Sokoto.
The lecture entitled ” Harnessing local renewal energy sources, A panacea for tackling global energy crisis in the 21st century ” was part of the University’s lecture series.
Sambo stressed that the country was endowed with abundant natural resources which, if properly tapped, would solve its energy deficiencies and propel national growth.
He emphasised that the world had shifted to renewable energy sources as remedies to climate change challenges, adding that the United Nations support zero emissions from oil and gas, which increased global warming.
The expert described the present electricity generation for households, industries and other needs in Nigeria as grossly inadequate, which hinders the nation’s growth.
He explained that Nigeria needed to explore more available renewable sources as obtained in other nations, stressing that solar, wind and hydro sources would surely improve the state of energy generation.
Sambo, a mechanical engineer, presented Nigeria’s efforts at improving electricity and other power generation programmes, stressing the need for consistent policies and more government and private sector investment in the sector.
He also lamented the attitudes of the electricity distribution companies that hindered improvement in the sector, noting that Nigeria was far below average in electricity used by the populace.
Sambo called for seamless efforts on tapping renewable energy sources and commended the efforts of Mr Jelani Aliyu, the Director General, Nigeria Automobile Development Council, in introducing the use of electrical vehicles and called for replication in other sectors.
According to him, exploration of oil and gas in the Sokoto basin should be pursued to improve revenues, energy sources and living conditions of the citizens.
He urged students and researchers to redouble efforts in harnessing energy sources, creating public awareness and their usage to increase domestic and industrial growth.
Also speaking, Prof. Bashir Garba, Sokoto State’s Commissioner for Higher Education and one time Director, Sokoto Energy Centre, said Prof. Sambo had propelled developments and mentored many experts in the sector across the country.
Garba said besides oil, gas, and renewable sources, nations explored nuclear sources which was highly advanced but with higher risks and challenges.
Earlier, Alhaji Balarabe Dandin-Mahe, the Sokoto Commissioner for Energy and Petroleum Resources, described the lecture as timely and relevant in recognition of the awareness and investment needed in the nation.
Dandin-Mahe said that Sokoto had invested in an independent power generation project, solar power installations and collaborated with Federal Government agencies for township solar-powered generation and other renewable energy sources.
The university’s Vice Chancellor, Prof. Sani Dangoggo, thanked the experts for attending the public lecture, aimed to broadening academic activities and professional upgrades, in recognition of the experts’ diverse engagements in the sector.
