BEING A COMMUNIQUE ISSUED AT THE END OF THE 2ND NATIONAL COLLOQUIUM CONVENED BY ENGR. ZAYYANU TAMBARI YABO WITH THE THEME “THE ROLE OF ENERGY IN NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT” ON THE 14TH OF DECEMBER, 2019 AT GIGINYA HOTEL SOKOTO
Preamble
In recognition of the importance of Energy and the significant role it plays in the development of any Nation, a National Colloquium was held in the ancient city of Sokoto with the theme “The Role of Energy in National Development” with participants drawn from all nooks and crannies of Nigeria and erudite scholars and discussants who did justice to the topic of the day. Participants at the national colloquium observed that:
2. Key highlights from Colloquium Presentations:
I. The correlation between the GDP per capital and the energy consumption
per capital is positive. II. The intertwine between poverty and the energy policy is real. III. Though oil is still the most vital source of energy today, renewable energy
is on the upswing especially in the developed parts of the world. IV. Nigeria has not even attained up to 10% of energy consumption per capital
when compared to Europe and America. V. Development is any improvement effort put in place to change the narrative of the people, while sustainable development has become the more desirable version of development. VI. Energy is the food that is needed for the nation to grow and it encompasses all spheres of our national life: security, development and economic growth. VII. In Nigeria, the number one distortion in our energy structure is the over- centralization of our energy generation, transmission and distribution whereas in other developed climes, the policy of regional comparative advantage is being applied to obtain effective and efficient energy mix which is developed and utilized from the respective local and tangential sources. VIII. The biggest challenge in the Nigerian energy development is inefficient
leadership techniques and weak corporate governance.
IX. Our public office holders who are responsible for energy governance are not held sufficiently accountable due to ineffective or inadequate consequence management. Citizens neither demand for transparency, accountability or their rights nor equip themselves with the knowledge which is now readily available with just a click of the phone. X. Our women are not adequately incorporated in our development policy formulation and this is also applicable in the energy sector with serious consequences on national development aspirations. XI. There is insufficient economic incentives by government to encourage
investment in the energy sector. XII. Even the crude oil energy source, where we have comparative advantage is not processed here but exported in its crude form. This has significantly contributed to the low energy consumption per capital in Nigeria.
3. Conclusion/Recommendation
I. Evidently, energy has a positive impact in our lives when effectively deployed.
II. While energy is a necessary component of human development, it is not in all situations that an increased availability of energy resources turns out to be positive.
III. The world is not lacking diverse energy sources, but energy inclusiveness and shared prosperity has been a critical issue that impedes universal energy access
IV. Energy policy dictates must emphasize diverse energy mix to reduce risk exposure and enhance energy security.
V. Despite our huge natural resources, that the positive impact of energy on most human development indices is translated to overall benefits to citizens, this has to do with political will to build institutions that will ensure that development gains from impact of energy are far reaching.
VI. Public policy must emphasize on energy access and reducing poverty and increase per capital energy consumption
VII. Oil and gas industry value chain integration with emphasis on midstream development to drive full value addition to the economy and stimulate development
VIII. Government must have a realistic model to incentivize bottom of the pyramid in terms of energy consumption for overall national development. Necessary legislative amendment of the provisions of Electric Power Sector Reform Act 2005 should be carried out to make the Act consistent with the provisions of 1999 Constitution (as amended) so that state governments can develop energy policies that best suit their peculiar local energy needs as envisioned by the Constitution.
IX. Ensure that the positive impact of energy on most human development indices is translated to overall benefits to citizens; this has to do with political will to build institutions that will ensure that development gains from impact of energy are far reaching.
X. Citizen participation especially youth and women in public governance should be inculcated and encouraged to drive inclusive energy strategy and ensure shared prosperity which is critical to overall national development, peace, security and stability.
It was highly recommended that this National Colloquium should be made a yearly event and involves wider stakeholders.
Signed
Engr. Akemokue Lukman
Facilitator, Communique Committee
Signatories:
Sammani Idris Kaura, Member, Colloquium Drafting Committee
Ibrahim Illo, Member, Colloquium Drafting Committee
