FIC Report (Enugu State) – Enugu State Government has approved the establishment of a new Ministry. It is the Ministry of Energy and mineral resources.The State Government has also approved transportation transitional Energy process from Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) to Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)
This was made known by the Secretary to the State Government, Professor Chidiebere Onyia, while briefing newsmen on the outcome of the State Executive Council meeting held on Friday, September 27, in Government House, Enugu.
Speaking on the new ministry, Professor Onyia said the State Governor, Dr. Peter Mbah had earlier signed the Enugu State Electricity Law and that the law required that a regulator, an Independent regulator will be set up and also a Supervisory Ministry that will handle all engagements in the energy space and in the mineral resources, considering the level of mineral resources available in Enugu state.
He said, ” the Government had decided at the end of Exco today to now create this ministry and this ministry would take effect immediately and most of their roles, the mandate includes the oversight of most of our investment opportunities within the solid mineral space, also to help catalyze investments in the renewable energy space and in our coal to power space.
“Exco resolved that this new ministry will take effect immediately and we will start the process of setting up the office,” Prof Onyia said.
Fielding questions from Newsmen on the administration of the new ministry, he said, for the creation of the new ministry, there was a budget process that took place earlier. He added that line items for budgetary allocation had been set up when the regulator was set up.
“We are doing the structural things. The appointments will now be the next step of what His Excellency will direct. For now, we are trying to make sure that we create the opportunities, make sure that the offices, the people, the civil service workforce, are in place, because this is a highly technical ministry and we are going to make sure all these things are in place while the Honorable Commissioner that will superintendent over that will be appointed by His Excellency and go through the House of Assembly process.
On the difference between the ministry of Energy, Mining and Environment, he said they were very different. They play different roles. “One plays a role that complements the other one So, with the ministry of Energy, we are looking across the board different sources of energy. All these things have environmental component,” Onyia said.
“It is important to know that our focus is around climate resilience. We are also mindful that our push should be on things that reduce our carbon footprint, So, we are very mindful of that and the two ministries will complement. one another rather than duplicating roles. So, we are very conscious of that”, Prof Onyia said.
Speaking on transition from PMS to CNG, Commissioner for Transport, Dr Obi Ozor said, “the state Executive Council resolved that it is very important for the State and her citizens to begin the process of transitioning from petrol to CNG.
He explained that the CNG saves about half of the cost of fueling and transportation. “That can help all the operators within the transport sector and also reduce the cost of transportation”, Dr. Ozor said.
Bonaventure Ngwu,
HOC Enugu
