Nigeria remains dumping ground for solar energy materials – Expert

The Africa Coalition for Sustainable Energy Access (ACSEA), an NGO, has expressed concern as Nigeria has remained a dumping ground for solar energy materials.

Executive Director of ACSEA, Dr Godwin Ojo, said this at a Stakeholders Validation and Training Workshop in Abuja.

The workshop, which was focused on renewable energy system, was organised by Lift Humanity Foundation (LHF), an NGO, in collaboration with other stakeholders.

Ojo, who also expressed worries over high level of 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 of emission from dirty oil, gas and other energy products was advancing climate change and global warming.

According to him, Nigeria has access to solar energy from the sun, but cannot harness resources due to bad condition of the technologies in the country.

He added that the best way to tackle the issue was through a strong collaboration among national international communities.

Ojo called on government at all levels, private and other relevant stakeholders to intensify effort to ensure a strong assessment of renewable energy governance in the country.

He said that the stakeholders were advocating for centered energy transition system, adding that everyone should be involve.

“We are asking for a different modern of energy system where you and I who are end users can benefit.

“The reason is that our indigenous technology is deteriorate the issue is about technology advancement, our technology is not function well.

“In industrialised countries, the technology is advanced and are 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.

“Individuals, private sectors and government of all levels should be involve 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 a training for researchers especially civil society organisations (CSOs).

“We are bringing multi stakeholders together to validate this, already we have been on the process of providing a report since last year.

Oko said that the training was focused on how data could be assessed and accessed, using more proffer methodology for the renewable energy governance in the country.

Mr Okon Ekpenyong, Director of Linkages, Research and Consultancy, Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN), was represented by Mrs Jennifer Ekele, Technical Officer, said that the initiative would promote energy sector in the country.

Ekpeyong said that the commission was strongly supporting the programme.