By Michael Ajayi/Anita Uzoagba
The Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN) has advocated stricter implementation of energy efficiency policies and standards to reduce energy costs and improve productivity in the country.
The Director-General of ECN, Dr Mustapha Abdullahi, made the call on Tuesday in Abuja at a two-day national workshop on energy efficiency and conservation.
The event was organised by ECN in partnership with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the workshop had as its theme: “Acceleration Energy Efficiency And Conservation In Nigeria: From Policy To Implementation, Regulation And Measurable Impact.”
The ECN boss said energy efficiency and conservation should be treated as an additional source of energy because they required no new generation capacity, but rather more efficient use of available energy.
Mr Olufunso Adeyemi, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Transportation, said the ministry remained committed to working with ECN and other stakeholders to promote policies that support sustainable energy.
Adeyemi was represented at the event by Mr David Franklin, a Deputy Director in the ministry.
“Energy efficiency is not mainly about consuming less energy. It is about using energy more intelligently and obtaining greater economic and social value for every unit of energy consumed,” he said.
“Energy efficiency is critical to Nigeria’s economic development, environmental sustainability and national energy security,” he said.
Mr Ishigame Keiji, Chief Representative, JICA Nigeria office, said it had become imperative for countries such as Nigeria to improve on their energy efficiency technologies.
He said as they continued to experience population growth, urbanisation, industrialisation and rising electricity demand they had to adopt smarter energy options.
Keiji said Nigeria could draw lessons from Japan’s experience, where energy management systems, efficient technologies, standards and regulatory frameworks had been used to improve energy productivity.(NAN)
Edited by Uche Anunne
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