In a bid to ensure that Lagos State attains its minimum electricity supply of 10,000 megawatts, Governor Babatunde Fashola has called for a legislation that will empower each state of the federation to generate and transmit electricity for the benefits of its citizenry.
Speaking at a Community Enterprise Development Conference held in Lagos recently, Fashola decried what he called federal government policies that are not effective, especially in the area of electricity generation.
He also indicated the readiness of the state government to partner credible investors in implementing a framework that will harness the state’s renewable energy resources.
The governor also called on investors to take advantage of abundant renewable resources like solar, biomass, wind, hydro and tidal waves with low greenhouse gas emission coefficients and primary energy factors.
According to him, this will ensure availability, accessibility and affordability to modern energy for economic and commercial activities.
He said the state government was also poised to encourage and guide the development of renewable energy projects by all stakeholders in both the public and private sectors.
Fashola said that Lagos, which is the commercial and economic capital of Nigeria, is as a mega-city that requires a lot of energy to thrive.
“Lagos requires adequate access to energy for economic transformation of the State. It is one of the fastest ways to cut rural poverty, boost productivity and accelerate education and health outcomes, both in urban and rural areas,” he said.
He disclosed that Lagos requires a minimum of 10, 0000 megawatts of electricity daily but is currently receiving less than 700 megawatts from the national grid.
To address the inadequacy, Fashola, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, Mrs. Regina Obasa stated that the state is investing in Independent Power Projects (IPPs) to take care of government offices and establishments, thereby releasing more power to Lagosians.
Earlier while declaring the workshop open, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Local Government Establishment and Pension Office, Mr Ashimi Jamiu Adewole called on the federal government to put in place policies that will protect the intellectual copyrights of Nigerians, so as to encourage others to develop and build up infrastructures in the renewable energy sector of the economy.
Convener and Executive Director, African Women and Youth Organisation, (AWYO), Mrs. Olayinka Elizabeth Adekunle said the major objective of the workshop was to create a first-hand meeting with German investors and research institutes in Lagos to dialogue on possible areas of partnership and funding as well as identifying detailed means of using viable alternatives to help solve present and future challenges in the energy and agricultural sectors thus ensuring food sustainability and economic security.
