The delegates at the on-going nationalconference have called on the federal government should release take-off grant to the Hydro Electric Power Producing Area Development Commission (HYPPADEC) so that communities in river banks would have access to power.
This decision was reached yesterday at plenary by delegates while adopting energy committee report. The conference said there should be adequate representation of Nigerian engineers in the planning and implementation of all aspects of the power sector reform programme.
Delegates also asked government to ensure level playing ground for the independent power producers and other genuine investors in the power business. It was agreed that government must as matter of urgency set up a committee to review the current National Electric Power Policy to make it suitable to provide a quantum leap required to propel Nigeria into the top 20 economies of the world. It said the Electric Power Sector Reform Act be aligned with the new policy.
It was observed that this might involve revisiting the contract entered into with the new private owners with a view to charting a way forward that would ensure increased, improved quality and sustainable electrical power supplies to Nigerians.
Delegates agreed that the new private power companies be given two years to stabilise and provide efficient electricity supply to every Nigerian. To realise the vision of providing electric power supply at affordable cost, it was resolved that a policy be put in place to encourage local production of spare parts and all electrical equipment needed by the electricity supply industry.
Government was urged to consider the construction of mini-refineries in each state of the federation as is done and sustained in Indonesia and Malaysia. Conference called for the establishment of the Niger Delta Energy Corridor to serve as a veritable tool for the rapid industrialization of the country.
The development of simple solar appliances for home use received a unanimous approval of the Conference. Delegates urged government to immediately conduct full implementation of the Electricity Reform Act as enacted in the interest of the national economy.
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