National Conference recommends state of emergency in power sector

The National Conference has recommended that President Goodluck Jonathan should declare a state of emergency in the power sector.

The recommendation was made on Monday, while adopting the report of the conference committee on Energy.

The conference equally recommended that the Federal Government should not leave power and energy to private sector alone as both were strategic to the industrial take-off and wellbeing of the people.

It further recommended a top-down approach through the amendment of existing framework to allow government at all levels and the private sector to be involved in power generation, distribution and marketing locally.

The conference adopted the banning of flaring of associated gas, while communities that are prone to gas flaring should be compensated.

Also, it was recommended that the Petroleum Act of 1969 be reviewed in the interest of justice and equity.


In the same vein, the conference recommended that government policies should encourage the use of low energy light bulbs and modern clean stove for cooking “as both are environmentally friendly” associated gas produced in Nigeria should be reserved for the domestic market until all demand is satisfied and a pricing regime for gas developed to make this possible.

It recommended that laws should be enacted and those available should be enforced at the state and local government levels to control indiscriminate cutting of trees for household energy, charcoal making and export.

-    NAN