A civil society organisation, Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Foundation, has urged the federal government to ensure adequate community engagement in the nation’s energy transition plan.
Amara Nwankpa, the director, partnership and development, stated this at a one-day workshop on shaping an inclusive energy future in the Niger Delta on Sunday in Uyo.
Mr Nwankpa said that the foundation was worried that the energy transition plan failed to gather the concerns of impacted communities in Niger Delta.
He said that the current energy transition plan in the country lacked sufficient consultation with impacted communities.
The director urged the planners of the energy transition programme to engage the people of the Niger Delta for inputs.
“The Niger Delta region will be severely affected if their input is not considered. It is important to consider the region’s interest in the plan.
“Niger Delta is an impacted region in the energy transition, it is important to engage them and consider their needs and interests,” he said.
In his speech, Dr Nnimmo Bassey, the executive director, Health of Mother Earth Foundation, also expressed the need for community engagement in the energy transition plan.
Mr Bassey said that Nigeria required stronger commitment towards meeting its energy challenges.
“There is need for community engagement and consultation to ensure a successful transition.
“The problem is not lack of energy resources, it is the production of enough energy to meet the citizens’ needs,” he said.
He called for a decentralised energy system which would be managed and maintained by communities to meet their needs.
It will be recalled that Nigeria’s energy transition plan targets net-zero emissions by 2060, proposes gas commercialisation until 2030, and a gradual phase-out of fossil fuel.
(NAN)