Rivers
Group Urges FG To Design Energy Transition
The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Center (CISLAC) has urged the Federal Government to design Nigeria’s energy transition plans in consideration of the natural resource abound in the country.
The Executive Director of CISLAC, Auwal Ibrahim Musa, made the remark during a two-day workshop organised by the group in support of Oxfam in Port Harcourt, last Thursday.
The workshop, themed, “Strengthening CSO Advocacy for Energy Transparency”, was aimed at enhancing the Civil Society Organisations (CSOs)’s advocacy for transparency in Nigeria’s energy transition.
Musa, represented by the Senior Programme Officer CISLAC, Mr. Ayo Omowu, said the energy sector had been the vital component of the economy but was marred by opacity and inefficiencies.
According to him, the nation stands at a critical juncture where the global shift towards sustainable energy presents both significant opportunities and formidable challenges.
He stated that transparency must be the cornerstone of the transition as the country embarked on the journey towards sustainable energy.
Musa, however, said the issue of transition came through the Global North initiative, but added that the country had to champion its own statement on the energy transition plans.
According to him, there is need for us to build on what we are already exploiting, like the oil, the crude oil and other untapped minerals resources.
‘’We also feel that the adoption of the transition project and drafting of the National Gas Plan was done too quickly because we are yet to harvest our resources both tapped and untapped.
‘’We, therefore, advocate for open and accountable governance in the energy sector to ensure that the benefits are equitably distributed and that the process is free from corruption”, he said.
Musa further said the civil society organisations had historically played a crucial role in promoting good governance and accountability in Nigeria.
He assured that with combined efforts of CSOs, Nigeria’s energy transition would be sustainable, transparent and inclusive, benefiting all citizens.
Also, Dr. Chikanele Asuru, the Associate Professor of Economic Development, recalled that Federal Government energy transition plan captured the lifting of 100 million Nigerians out of poverty while driving the economic growth.
Asuru, who is also the Head of the Department of Petroleum Economics and Policy Studies, Ignatius Ajuru University, delivered a keynote address themed, “Transparency in Energy Transition: The Role of CSOs”.
She urged the Federal Government to work out its own model as it affects the context of the country, urging the CSOs to champion the public sensitisation on the usage of clean energy.
Asuru advised CSOs and Non-Governmental Organisations to monitor and advocate for policies that would benefit the common man while transiting to renewable energy.
She urged them to keep promoting legislative reforms and advocate for the enactment and implementation of laws that ensure transparency and accountability in the energy transition process.
Also, the Programme Coordinator for Social Integrated Development (Social Action), Mr. Boti Isaac, spoke on the theme, “Building Advocacy Network for Energy Transition: The Role of Media and CSOs”.
He said the civil society organisations and the media had critical roles to play in ensuring a just transitional system of energy transition.