Nigeria’s Vice President Kashim Shettima has officially launched the National Economic Council’s (NEC) Ad Hoc Committee on National Electrification and the NEC Ad Hoc Committee on Polio Eradication.
He stated during his Thursday inauguration at the Presidential Villa in Abuja that without resolving the power sector problem and guaranteeing that Nigerians have access to reasonably priced energy, including electricity, the country cannot hope for significant national economic progress.
He called on the nation’s leaders to put aside their differences to address the issue in the electricity sector and take part in Nigeria’s rebirth as an industrialised nation.
Referring to nations like South Africa, Uganda, India, and Indonesia that face comparable energy inadequacy issues, Shettima noted that these nations are already leading the post-industrial revolution.
The issue of energy inadequacy has been largely resolved in these nations and others in the post-industrial revolution community.
Without solving the power sector’s problems and making sure Nigerians have access to reasonably priced energy, he said, “There is no question that we cannot dream of meaningful national economic development.”
VP Shettima expressed regret that between 40 and 70 per cent of Nigerians lack official access to power, but he found solace in the assurance that the qualifications and backgrounds of state governors and other committee members “will change the narrative in a positive trajectory.”
He recognised the fundamental issues facing the country’s electrical industry, particularly the national grid, which has been experiencing system failure.
In light of recent energy sector reforms that have opened the industry “not only to the participation of otherwise excluded players but also to attract investments, both foreign and local,” the vice president expressed optimism that there will soon be a noticeable improvement.
He continued, “I think we have a lot of resources, whether it be solar, hydro, or gas, that let us have the best energy mix and use these resources to build a sector in a resilient way that ensures energy security for every Nigerian.”
Members of the National Electrification Ad Hoc Committee were urged by the vice president to join the team and serve the country.
“I wish you well as you begin this important task, and I would like to reassure you that I will be available to assist you in completing this demanding assignment,” he stated. The National Electrification Strategy and Implementation Plan ad hoc committee of the NEC is hereby established.
VP Shettima called on stakeholders and committee members to step up efforts to address the disease’s resurgence when he officially launched the NEC ad hoc committee on polio eradication.
“It is time to take a determined step to eradicate this disease from our people,” he remarked, considering how much we have depended on partner support to confront the destruction this disease has caused to our people. I have faith that if we cooperate and work together with partners and other stakeholders, we can succeed.
The vice president urged the committee members to develop long-term strategies, such as producing polio vaccines locally, and condemned the use of short-term solutions to combat the disease.
