The Environmental Rights Action (ERA), an NGO, has expressed concern as Nigeria has remained a dumping ground for solar energy materials, thereby, causing environmental crises across the country.
The Executive Director of ERA/Africa Coalition for Sustainable Energy Access (ACSEA), Dr. Godwin Ojo, said this at a Stakeholders Validation and Training Workshop on Sunday in Abuja.
The workshop which was focused on the renewable energy system was organized by Lift Humanity Foundation (LHF), an NGO, in collaboration with other stakeholders.
Ojo, who also expressed worries over the high-level deteriorating state of technology in the country, said that access to the technology was very low and has become a challenge for Nigeria.
He said that releasing emissions from dirty oil, gas, and other energy products were advancing climate change and global warming.
He added that the best way to tackle the issue was through strong collaboration among national and international communities.
According to him, Nigeria has access to solar energy from the sun, but cannot harness resources due to the bad condition of the technologies in the country.
“The reason is that our indigenous technology is deteriorating the issue is about technological advancement, our technology is not function well.
“In industrialized countries, the technology is advanced and is working effectively because they are being maintained.
“While in Nigeria, it is still very low to access because they are very few, and most of them are in bad shape,” he said.
Ojo called on the government at all levels, private and other relevant stakeholders to intensify efforts to ensure a strong assessment of renewable energy governance in the country.
He said that the stakeholders were advocating for a centered energy transition system, adding that everyone should be involved.
“We are asking for a different modern energy system where you and I who are end users can benefit.
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“Individuals, private sectors, and government of all levels should be involved to ensure a diversify energy system, energy is in the hands of everyone,” he said.
The Executive Secretary of LHF, Mr. Pius Oko, said that the workshop was training for researchers especially Civil Society Organisations (CSOs).
Oko said that the training was focused on how data could be assessed and accessed, using a more proffer methodology for the renewable energy governance in the country.
According to him, we want to find means to have an inclusive way of having a renewable energy policy in Nigeria and that is the essence of the workshop.
“We are bringing multi-stakeholders together to validate this, already we have been in the process of providing a report since last year.
“The report was finalized this year, we feel that it is a process and the process is an inclusive one, thereby, making sure that everybody is a stakeholder in this system.
“That is the essence of why we are bringing everyone together – the policymakers, the CSOs, and the media so that they will have an understanding of renewable energy in Nigeria.
“We have engaged other relevant stakeholders for strong advocacy to ensure that the implementation of the energy renewable initiative is effective, especially to rural communities and the states,” he said.
Mr. Okon Ekpenyong, Director of Linkages, Research, and Consultancy, Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN), said that the initiative would promote the energy sector in the country.
Ekpeyong said that the commission was strongly supporting the program.
Mrs. Jennifer Ekele, Technical Officer, represented Ekpenyong.
Also, Dr. Robert Onyeneke, from Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ebonyi State, emphasized the need for effective training and retraining of stakeholders on renewable energy.
Onyeneke said that the training and capacity-building program would support in the development of strong skills and provide knowledge in the sector.
