24 January 2017, Abuja – The Federal Government has concluded plans to boost electricity generation in the country with two small hydro power plants capable of adding 2,000 kilowatts of electricity to the country’s energy capacity.
The Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, disclosed this in Abuja on Monday at a press conference to announce the outcome of Nigeria’s participation at the 7th General Assembly of the International Renewable Energy Agency, which held recently
Onu said Nigeria would not be left behind in the global quest for renewable energy, which saw the world investing $300bn in the sector in 2016, adding that the country had taken various steps to increase its energy mix.
According to him, the steps include the plan to establish two small hydro power plants in Katsina and Zamfara states, with the capacity for 2,000KW. While 1,000KW will be off grid, he said the balance would be injected into the national grid to boost power supply across the country.
Onu said renewable energy had become very important all over the world and in Nigeria in particular, because of the need for sustainable energy and the need to preserve an environment that was safe for human habitation.
He said, “We will like to preserve our environment and to hand over to our children and the future generation a planet that is habitable.
“The world is moving towards renewable energy as the only way to energy sustainability and energy security.”
Nigeria was elected as one of the four vice presidents of the International Renewable Energy Agency. It is the responsibility of those elected to prepare and chair the 8th conference to be hosted by Abu Dhabi.
Onu also stated that he was in Ethiopia and held talks with the authorities on collaboration to boost meat and milk production in Nigeria through the elimination of tsetse fly, which he described as a common pest to cattle in the country.
The minister said as the nation had taken a decision on ranching, it was important to eliminate tsetse fly anywhere a ranch would be sited, as the presence of the pest would spell doom for livestock within the ranch.
The minister also said the country would work with the Food and Agricultural Organisation on the programme.
– Punch
