The Honorable Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adekola Adelabu in his interaction with the “Women in Energy, Oil and Gas”, (WEOG), who came on a courtesy visit to the Ministry headquarters recently in Abuja said that the Power sector has a singular target of expanding energy access for economic growth and national development.
This target which is quite loaded is unlocked through the use of both grid and off-grid solutions, encompassing those connected to Industrial grid and those that are in rural areas, the unserved areas that are using mini grids, solar and other forms of renewable energy.
Adelabu revealed that one of the Power sectors target is to bridge the poverty gap and completely eliminating it for prosperity amongst Nigerians, noting that women is a force to reckon with when it comes to bringing positivity and productivity in any atmosphere.
“When we talk about this energy access, the main target is to enable us grow the industry that can actually create employment for our youth and to also enable us to substitute import as we are a heavily dependent country which is not good for our economy”.
“We also use it to promote our export by adding value to our primary resources, promoting local manufacturer”.
The Minister stated that the need to build local capacity cannot be over emphasized as the Sector is looking towards growing Nigerians in the rural areas in terms of agricultural processing, irrigation, noting that women have dominance in that part of the Sector’s target.
“We must build our local capacity to enable us achieve our actual sustainability by ensuring that our people can actually produce what they can consume”.
He opined that supporting policies have been put in place in order to achieve the sectoral target.
He assured the Women in Energy, Oil and Gas of the Ministry’s unflinching support, collaboration, partnership towards achieving success.
Earlier, the National Vice President sector of the Women in Energy , Oil and Gas, Tolulope Longe disclosed that the association has been in operation for the past six years and being a non-profit organization deem it fit to seek collaboration with the Ministry of Power especially in her “decarbonization ” initiative, amongst others.
Longe in her overview, said that the WEOG Association is advocating on the clean environment and clean society which both helps to support women to be able to attain their full potential.
She said that the “Decarbonization initiative” encompasses several key projects designed to drive impactful change and address the urgent challenges of sustainable energy transition, Net-Zero emissions, climate change, environmental sustainability and the sustainable utilization of Nigeria Natural resources.
While speaking on the forthcoming “World Decarbonization Summit” slated for 3-5th September, 2024, Longe expressed the Associations unreserved confidence in the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s drive for adequate power supply and sustainability through the Power sector.
“We are committed to working closely with you and your Esteemed office to ensure the success and impact of the WEOG decarbonization initiative for the benefit and the future generations.”
Dibiaezue-Eke, Florence
Director, Information and Public Relations,
