A not-for-profit, the Lift Humanity Foundation (LHF), has reiterated the need for capacity building for skilled workforce in the renewable energy sector.
Mr Pius Oko, the Executive Secretary of LHF, said this at a workshop and launching of a policy brief on Renewable Energy Governance and Energy Access in Nigeria on Thursday, October 5, 2023, in Abuja.
Oko, also the Project Lead, African Coalition for Sustainable Energy Access (ACSEA), said the gesture would ensure affordable, clean and sustainable renewable energy sources.
He said the workshop was aimed at creating awareness on renewable energy access in Nigeria.
The workshop has the theme “Shaping Renewable Energy Future in Nigeria’’.
The launch was organised by ACSEA and LFH.
“Over the years, we have been importing renewable energy sources that are expensive.
“Therefore we are calling for capacity building for skilled labour within the local communities so that those technologies can be developed within our local context.
“We are calling for investment on skilled labour, capacity building so that our youth can go into renewable energy sources, with that we can have them in abundance.
“The youth can drive the process of renewable energy that is affordable, clean and also sustainable,” he said.
Oko urged the government to prioritise inclusion of multiple stakeholders such as private sectors and civil society organisations in renewable energy initiatives and programmes.
According to him, this inclusion will minimise the probability of leaving out vital issues and foster cooperation in addressing renewable energy development across various levels of governance.
Oko, who attributed the challenges in the country’s renewable energy initiatives and programmes to lack of implementation of policies, added that there have been lots of policies in this direction.
The team lead said the importance of renewable energy in Nigeria could not be overemphasised.
He said that, as a fast developing nation, Nigeria was confronted with rising energy demands both for its rapidly expanding population and economy.
Oko said, “Renewable energy sources such as solar, wind and hydro power provide a cost-effective and sustainable solution to these energy needs.
“In addition, renewable energy can help lessen Nigeria’s reliance on infinite and expensive fossil resources.
“However, effective governance is necessary for successfully integrating renewable energy into Nigeria’s energy mix.
“Governance context such as policies, regulations and institutions significantly impact the development of renewable energy in the country.
“These governance contexts can either support or hinder the development of renewable energy.”
He said that the policy brief was based on the findings of a study conducted that sought to analyse the interactions of the renewable governance in Nigeria on its renewable energy governance context and its sub-components.
The brief, according to him, was also on renewable energy alternatives based on criteria such as cost, maximum capacity, environmental impact, job creation and security.
“Governance context’s supportiveness for renewable energy development using the gap assessment tools to ascertain supportive and restiveness to renewable energy development,” he said.
Mike Terungwa, Executive Director, Global Initiative for Food Security and Ecosystem Preservation (GEFSEP), said the country had everything that could be used for renewable energy in abundance but took them for granted.
He said the nation has abundance of solar, wind, biomass, among others.
“It is actually a development issue because of the energy property that we have in this country.
“It is the quickest and fastest means through which Nigeria can attain energy, power the entire country within the shortest possible time,” Terungwa said.
By Felicia Imohimi
