The need for Nigeria to diversify her energy source through nuclear power has been emphasised, this is to ensure reliable and affordable round the clock power to every homes and businesses accross the country.
This formed the core of discussion at a development discourse series organised by Nextier power on the theme, “Nuclear Generation in Africa: Ready or Not”? held in Abuja.
The Partner, Nextier Power, Emeka Okpukpara Jr who said the talk series was held to foster growth and positive change through dialogue, noted that the major challenge Nigeria is faced with today is power generation and distribution.
Okpukpara therefore urged the federal government and all other stakeholders to source for knowledge in advance if issues of power must be curbed, stressing that other countries are moving fast to tackling the issues around power supply and generation in order to solve security challenges.
According to him, “It is high time Nigerians explore other avenue of generating electricity and eradicate the sole dependency on crude.
“We know we face security challenges and we have to find a way to resolve these issues so that we may be alive,” he added.
Responding to the dangers that comes with adopting a nuclear power system, he maintained that there is risk involved in both nuclear and thermal situations.
“People might think Nigeria is not ready for nuclear, it is important for us to start having this discussion so that the world does not leave us behind.
“Ideas like this does not spring up in a day because data have to be collected, situation accessed and dialogues engaged to be able to factor the determinants. The idea is to have this convention that will provide data, look at empiricals and then make a decision to adopt or not,” he said.
A Fellow, Energy for Growth Hub Jessica Lovering, while responding to questions by participants from various power industries represented emphasized the need for Nigeria to think about diversifying her energy source, saying this will in turn boost other sectors.
“It is Important for Nigeria to think abo term energy plan. I think having more electricity available can help in being more resilient to developing different sectors like, having more economic growth more industries which will amount to more jobs and I think this is a good line of thought for economic growth,”she said.
Nextier power is a consulting firm that provides policy and investment advisory, and support services to the electricity supply industries.
This development discourse organised in Abuja, is reform minded for professionals at high level of policy development and agenda expedition, that engages in rigorous deliberation with an overview of advancing Nigeria’s development centered on how to generate electricity from Nuclear source.
