FG inaugurates committee on industrial energy efficiency
From Owede Agbajileke, Abuja
The Federal Government has inaugurated the interagency committee on industrial energy efficiency policies/regulations in the country.
The project, supported by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), aims to accelerate the adoption of Industrial Energy Efficiency (IEE) and improve enterprise environmental performance.
Inaugurating the panel in Abuja on Friday, the Director General, the Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN), Dr. Mustapha Abdullahi, said the event marks a significant step towards accelerating the adoption of Industrial Energy Efficiency (IEE) and improving enterprise environmental performance through Resource Efficiency and Cleaner Production (RECP) best practices in Nigeria.
Abdullahi said committee members will provide strategic guidance, facilitate inter-agency collaboration, and ensure access to required information and data.
According to him, the committee’s key responsibilities include: providing strategic guidance to the project team to ensure alignment with national development priorities; facilitating collaboration among government agencies and stakeholders to drive project success; ensuring access to necessary data and resolving potential conflicts and offering technical expertise to shape project outputs and outcomes.
His words: “Energy efficiency in the industry, which the project is. focusing, 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 stakeholders like you must be brought together to ensure adequate policy synergy and consistency.”
In his remarks, the National Programme Coordinator, Environment and Energy, United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), Oluyomi Banjo called for the development of methodology for energy management systems, energy systems optimization, and energy efficiency in Nigeria.
Banjo emphasised the crucial role of a policy framework in promoting industrial energy efficiency in Nigeria.
He noted that a cross-agency committee will be responsible for developing and overseeing policies and regulations that encourage the adoption of energy-efficient practices in Nigerian industries.
The committee, he stated, will play a vital role in creating a supportive environment for businesses to reduce their energy consumption and environmental impact.
The interagency committee, which is chaired by the Energy Commission of Nigeria, also has members drawn from the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investments; Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation; Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN); Nigeria Investment Promotion Council; Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON); Bank of Industry and others.
