Former National President of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), Dr Simon Okolo has urged the federal government to focus on the development of renewable energy as a veritable source of power generation.
Okolo told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) yesterday in Aba, Abia State that the call became necessary to satisfy Nigeria’s electricity generation needs, serve as a buffer on the eventual drying up of its fossil fuels and protect the environment.
He said that while Nigeria may be constrained to derive ethanol from cassava, one of the clean energy alternatives, due to food shortage implications, the government could focus on full utilisation of the solar energy potential.
The former NACCIMA president urged the federal government and the National Assembly to enact a law to make the development of solar energy and other renewable energy sources a national policy.
He explained that the development of the solar energy potential held the key to the supply of electricity to the rural communities not yet covered by the national grid.
Okolo said the initiative would also help to solve the disturbing ceaseless power blackouts in the country, transform the rural areas and check rural-urban migration of the populace
He expressed dismay at the activities of some businessmen who dampened the people’s enthusiasm and hopes for solar energy by importing and supplying cheap regular vehicles and gel batteries with a limited life span.