The Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu has called on foreign and local investors to assist in building the energy resources available in the country to help facilitate Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) into the energy sector.
The minister stated this in Abuja recently when he declared open a two-day National Energy Summit organised by Energy Commission of Nigeria(ECN), in collaboration with the International Energy Charter (IEC), Brussels.
Onu said Nigeria’s membership of IEC, approved by Mr. President in 2016, would facilitate foreign direct investment into the energy sector.
He stated further that the summit is aimed at highlighting how Nigeria’s IEC membership will deepen growth and development in Nigeria’s energy sector for sustainable national development.
“Nigeria is preparing for a post crude oil era and national gas utilisation is receiving a lot of attention,” he said.
Speaking on the ongoing transformation in the sector, the FMST boss noted that the nation is preparing for a post crude oil era. “National gas utilisation is receiving a lot of attention. Our methanol utilisation policy is aimed at increasing the use of natural gas in the production of both fuel and electricity generation.
“This will help stop gas flaring in the country, protect and preserve our environment, as well as diversify the energy sector of our economy, and we are also investing in both research and renewable energy in the country,” he added.
Earlier, the Secretary General of Energy Charter Secretariat, Brussels, Dr. Urban Rusnak, said energy transition should fit everyone and there is need to save energy for the benefit of all.
While delivering his keynote speech virtually, Rusnak assured of support and to work to mobilise the multi-stakeholder corporation for action in Nigeria.
In his welcome address, the Director General, Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN), Professor Eli Bala, said the objective of the summit was to bring to limelight how membership of the IEC would facilitate energy sufficiency.
