The Energy Commission of Nigeria(ECN) in collaboration with United Nations Industrial Development Organisation(UNIDO),has set up Inter-Agency Committee on Industrial Energy Efficiency(IEE) policies/tegulations in Nigeria.
Members of the inter-agency committee are drawn from the Federal Ministry of Environment, Manufacturers Association of Nigeria(MAN), Standards Organisation of Nigeria(SON), Bank of Industry(BoI), Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture(NACCIMA), Federal Ministry of Power, National Council on Climate Change(NCCC),among others.
At the inaugural meeting of the inter-agency committee on industrial energy efficiency policies/regulations in Nigeria on Friday, Dr. Mustapha Abdullahi, Director General/ Chief Executive Officer of ECN, explained that the Committee would provide strategic guidance to the IEE Technical Working Group/Project team to review what had been done and ensure that the project’s final outputs meet its objectives and outcomes and ensure that they continue to be in line with national development priorities.
According to him, the commitee would facilitate inter-agency collaboration and synergies among different Ministries,Departments and Agencies(MDAs) and other entities,whose inputs are required for successful implementation of the project in Nigeria.
He added that the committee would also ensure access to the required information/data and resolve potential conflict situations; as well as provide technical guidance on project outputs and outcomes mentioned earlier.
He emphasized that an appropriate policy and Iegislative framework is necessary for the promotion of national energy efficiency and conservation best practices in any sector of the nation’s economy, where such practice is still emerging.
He added:”You are aware that there exists primary energy efficiency policies in Nigeria, but such national overall policies need to be implemented into actual sector or industry-specific policies formulated by individual organizations/companies/entities to mainstream energy efficiency best practices and daily operations of such firms.
“Forwarding the general national policy framework to MDAs’ specific sub-sectorial policy document to demonstrate commitment and support to energy management system towards achieving continual energy savings and cost reductions is the whole essence of this project.
“We are convinced that you will feel fulfilled to be part of this initiative of introducing energy efficiency and conservation best practices into the nation’s sub-sectors through the adoption of UNIDO’s well-proven EnMS/ESO/ISO 50001 Series project approach.”
In his remarks, Oluyomi Banjo,the National Programme Coordinator, Environment and Energy, United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO),lauded the ECN for setting up the inter-agency committee to ensure a coordinated approach to energy efficiency in Nigeria.
According to him,a country like Nigeria that is energy-deficient needs efficient use of the energy being generated.
He noted that the project is financially supported by the Global Environment Facility(GEF), as it is being implemented in 13 cities across the country.
Engr. Okon Ekpenyong, IEE Project Consultant,said the Project entitled,”Improving Nigeria’s Industrial Energy Performance and Resource Efficient Cleaner Production through Programmatic Approaches and the Promotion of Innovation in Clean Technology Solutions (NIG IEE/RECP Project)”, is being supported by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), as well as other National stakeholders.
He explained that the project is aimed at accelerating the adoption of Industrial Energy Efficiency (IEE) and improving enterprise environmental performance through Resource Efficiency and Cleaner Production (RECP) best practices in Nigeria.
He added: “Energy efficiency in the industry, which the project is focusing on, is multi-dimensional in nature, cutting across various sectors of the economy.
“The implementation of this project therefore, demands an inclusive approach, where other related stakcholders like you must be brought together to ensure adequate policy synergy and consistency.”
