By Emmanuel Oloniruha

The Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Energy China, a major Chinese company known for renewable energy and gas production in China, on establishing State Energy Planing Implementation units to boost renewable energy and economy development.

The forum disclosed this in a statement by its Director-General, Abdullateef Shittu, on Thursday in Abuja.

Gov. Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe, singing the MoU on behalf of the forum chairman, said that the event signal a critical step in strengthening the institutional framework for sub-national energy governance.

Yahaya, who is Chairman Northern Governors’ Forum, said that the MoU would foster energy security, efficiency, and economic development across the States.

He acknowledged the transformative journey Nigeria was embarking upon in the area of access to sustainable electricity.

This according to him includes renewable energy, particularly in the wake of the recently passed Electricity Act of 2023.

“Since the passing of the Electricity Act, we have witnessed a surge of innovations and reforms aimed at revamping our energy sector.

‘’We are moving towards more decentralized energy solutions, encouraging the integration of renewable energy solutions that can provide sustainable and affordable electricity to our communities,” he said.

The Act according to Yahaya also laid the groundwork for improving regulatory frameworks, while also enabling private sector investments, and fostering public-private partnerships for successful implementation of Nigeria renewable energy goals.

He, however, acknowledged that those advances came with their own set of challenges include infrastructure, finance and regulatory, stressing the need to address them collaboratively.

He said that by fostering partnerships between the government, private investors, and international stakeholders, Nigeria could develop innovative financing models.

“We can improve capacity building, and enhance grid infrastructure to accommodate renewable energy sources effectively,” he said.

Yahaya also highlighted some ongoing reforms within states including formation of policies that align with national objectives while addressing local needs.

He said that states were also establishing frameworks and instituting regulatory bodies to drive the electricity markets within their localities.

‘’The synergy between state and federal initiatives will be key to driving effective change and achieving our collective renewable energy targets,” he said.

Yahaya expressed confidence that the relationship between NGF and the China Energy International Group will foster a robust development in the acceleration of energy access in the country.

The Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Chief Uche Nnaji, said that the Mou was in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu.

Nnaji said partnership reflected government shared ambition to expand access to clean energy, strengthen energy planning at the state level.

The scope of the MoU according to him includes deployment of renewable energy infrastructure (solar, wind, hydro), and establishment of a Nigeria-China Renewable Energy Research Centre to drive innovation, technology transfer, and capacity-building.

‘’This initiative will not only improve energy access, especially in off-grid communities, but also support job creation, investment, and our climate commitments,” he said.

The chairman of the China Energy commission , Dr Song Liang, pledged full implementation of the Mou and ensure full cooperation between Nigeria and China.

Liang emphasised the need to prioritise the development the energy sector as well support sharing of intelligence on issues relating to renew energy promotion

He promised to improve energy storage in all sector including green energy, promising to turn Nigeria China relationship to a new phase of cooperation.

Also, the NGF Director-General Shittu said that ‘’since the passing of the Electricity Act, the NGF had being playing a pivotal role supporting and coordinating the efforts of States in the implementation of the Act.

‘’There is no doubt that this relationship with the China Energy International Group and Energy Commission of Nigeria will further a robust development in the acceleration of energy access in the country.

“We assure you that the NGF would work with you in supporting these efforts.’’, Shittu said.

NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA

By Admin

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