The Director of Bi-resources Department, Federal Ministry of Science and Technology (FMST), Mr Abayomi Oguntunde, has canvassed for more usage of renewable energy to boost power generation in the country.
He made the call in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Tuesday, January 15, 2019.
According to him, renewable energy development is the best alternative to improved electricity generation in the country.
He said that such feat would improve efforts toward national development.
He added: “Nigeria needs more energy to meet rising demands due to population outburst, inevitable industrialisation, more agricultural production and improved living standards.
“It is true that energy production and utilisation will degrade the environment, but by using advanced technologies, techniques and sources, economic and social development are also possible with less degradation.
“This is because energy production, energy consumption, economic development and environmental pollution are directly related.”
Oguntade said that the place of energy and power in the sustenance of economic activities, and their contributions to the standard of living could not be over-emphasised in any nation.
The director said that the availability and consumption of energy were major indices in the prosperity in any nation, noting, however, that “challenges abound due to economic, social, technical and political barriers.”
He observed that the challenges had to be overcome if renewable energy technologies were to be deployed to make meaningful impact on the energy mix in the nation.
By Gabriel Agbeja
