What started out as a mustard seed planted finally blossomed in full glare on Monday,24th of October 2016 at the Ibom E-Library as the Ministry of Science and Technology, Akwa Ibom State organised a one-day sensitization seminar on Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency.
The seminar which drew participants from the academia, government, the legislature etc had as its theme: SUSTAINING THE ECONOMY THROUGH GREEN TECHNOLOGY. The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Dr. Nestor Udoh in his welcome address stated that in April 2005, the federal Executive Council (FEC) of Nigeria approved the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency policy (RNEEP). A document which states that there should exist at State and Local Government levels, units/departments responsible for renewable energy and energy efficiency matters.
This policy therefore supported the establishment of necessary links between Federal and State Government on renewable energy and energy efficiency policies, framework and programme. These facts coupled with the Akwa Ibom State Government five (5) point agenda and directive from the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology informed the decision of the Ministry of Science and Technology in the State led by Dr. Elizabeth Obot, the immediate past Commissioner to establish a department saddled with the responsibilities of renewable energy and energy efficiency matters. That decision he said had paid off positively in the glaring strides of that department , though limited by inadequate funding.
It is worthy of note that the Ministry’s Renewable Energy Steering and implementation Committee led by Mr. Ekerete Udoeyop, a seasoned RE professional some weeks ago took the campaign to some remote rural areas in the State and deployed some RE solutions to the people to ameliorate their plight. The Monday seminar was actually to sensitize Government policy makers and implementing managers on globally accepted alternative sources of energy.
As noted by the immediate past Commissioner for Environment,Dr. Iniabasi Essien who was in attendance, as a prerequisite for economic growth and development, there was need to take urgent action to combat climate change and its impact. He pointed out that the shift towards renewable energy will mitigate the impact of climate change and expressed his hope that the forum will serve as a veritable platform to proffer solutions and chart a course for Akwa Ibom State.
The Executive Governor in his address delivered by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry stated that in the face of the present day world recession,it became imperative to adopt renewable energy and energy efficiency technology in sustaining our economy. He made it clear that the State must be at the front burner as regards implementing renewable energy and energy efficiency programmes to sustain her economy. He urged participants to rise up and identify the urgent need to harness the abundant renewable energy resources for our energy needs.
Several keynote addresses and lectures were presented by renowned professionals and experts in the field which included Prof. Celestine Ntuen, Vice Chancellor of Ritman University, A professor of Physics in the University of Uyo and the Coordinator of the Advanced Space Technology Applications Laboratory, Uyo, Dr. Kenneth Uchua. Goodwill messages were also given by some of the special guests which included Mr. Emmanuel Ekpenyong, member representing Ini State constituency in the AKHA.
Immediate Past Commissioner for Science and Technology, Dr. Elizabeth Obot the initiator of the project expressed her overwhelming joy at the establishment of the Center for Renewable Energy in the Ministry during her time, the strides the committee recorded and the success of the event. She profusely thanked the Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel for his support and approval, stating that his government was poised to ensure a green Akwa Ibom. She pledged her continued unalloyed loyalty to his administration and thanked the participants for honouring the invitation.
A committee was constituted to develop a communique which would be presented to government for further action. The Director in charge of the Department of Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency in the Ministry, Elder Okon Ntoketi delivered the vote of thanks and gave the closing prayers to bring the event to an end.
This policy therefore supported the establishment of necessary links between Federal and State Government on renewable energy and energy efficiency policies, framework and programme. These facts coupled with the Akwa Ibom State Government five (5) point agenda and directive from the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology informed the decision of the Ministry of Science and Technology in the State led by Dr. Elizabeth Obot, the immediate past Commissioner to establish a department saddled with the responsibilities of renewable energy and energy efficiency matters. That decision he said had paid off positively in the glaring strides of that department , though limited by inadequate funding.
It is worthy of note that the Ministry’s Renewable Energy Steering and implementation Committee led by Mr. Ekerete Udoeyop, a seasoned RE professional some weeks ago took the campaign to some remote rural areas in the State and deployed some RE solutions to the people to ameliorate their plight. The Monday seminar was actually to sensitize Government policy makers and implementing managers on globally accepted alternative sources of energy.
As noted by the immediate past Commissioner for Environment,Dr. Iniabasi Essien who was in attendance, as a prerequisite for economic growth and development, there was need to take urgent action to combat climate change and its impact. He pointed out that the shift towards renewable energy will mitigate the impact of climate change and expressed his hope that the forum will serve as a veritable platform to proffer solutions and chart a course for Akwa Ibom State.
The Executive Governor in his address delivered by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry stated that in the face of the present day world recession,it became imperative to adopt renewable energy and energy efficiency technology in sustaining our economy. He made it clear that the State must be at the front burner as regards implementing renewable energy and energy efficiency programmes to sustain her economy. He urged participants to rise up and identify the urgent need to harness the abundant renewable energy resources for our energy needs.
Several keynote addresses and lectures were presented by renowned professionals and experts in the field which included Prof. Celestine Ntuen, Vice Chancellor of Ritman University, A professor of Physics in the University of Uyo and the Coordinator of the Advanced Space Technology Applications Laboratory, Uyo, Dr. Kenneth Uchua. Goodwill messages were also given by some of the special guests which included Mr. Emmanuel Ekpenyong, member representing Ini State constituency in the AKHA.
Immediate Past Commissioner for Science and Technology, Dr. Elizabeth Obot the initiator of the project expressed her overwhelming joy at the establishment of the Center for Renewable Energy in the Ministry during her time, the strides the committee recorded and the success of the event. She profusely thanked the Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel for his support and approval, stating that his government was poised to ensure a green Akwa Ibom. She pledged her continued unalloyed loyalty to his administration and thanked the participants for honouring the invitation.
A committee was constituted to develop a communique which would be presented to government for further action. The Director in charge of the Department of Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency in the Ministry, Elder Okon Ntoketi delivered the vote of thanks and gave the closing prayers to bring the event to an end.
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