The Group Managing
Director of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Mele Kyari has
expressed disappointment with the state of power generation in Nigeria.
Speaking at the
Nigeria International Petroleum Summit for the signing of a $1.1 million grant
between Nigeria and the United States Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) as
part-funding for the Abuja Independent Power Project (IPP) in Abuja on Tuesday
February 11, the NNPC Chief lamented that Nigerians are still struggling to
afford a day’s meal and that electricity is now “a luxury” exclusive for the elite.
Kyari stated that the
challenges of power supply must be addressed before Nigeria can go into
renewable energy.
He said;
“For this country and
very many of us in sub-saharan africa, what we worry about today is actually
the meals of today. There are many who can’t afford a meal a day. And of
course, electricity is largely a luxury; it’s only for the elite, like all of
us here.
“it is the dream of
very many to have i-pass-my-neighbour in their homes. When you say, ‘do not use
fossil fuel,’ but you have not provided alternatives. The world has not looked
at their situation. The world has not recognised that there is abject poverty
in the communities.
“we have to resolve
the issue of electricity so that we can talk about renewable energy in the
future and reduce the use of fossil fuel that has a high impact on the
environment. We know that there is an energy transition in the world. With
time, there will be less dependence on fossil fuel.
“we have gas in
abundance, we must create infrastructure that will help create gas for power
generation.
“we need power to
create jobs and we must create prosperity, so that we can have peace in our
country. We are grateful for this grant.”