Odu’accima meets to explore alternative energy sources for industries
As fossil fuels continue to expose their undependability, Odu’a Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (Odu’accima) has concluded plans to meet with the six state governors in the South West and relevant local and international agencies to examine alternative sources of energy for the development of manufacturing industry, agriculture and other captive sectors in the region.
To this effect, a two-day leadership workshop is scheduled to be held March 27 and 28, 2014, at City Hall, Onikan, Lagos, between 8am and 5pm. The event is aimed at revolutionising the economic production process of Nigeria, starting from the South West, and will form a template for other regions.
Odu’accima, an association of chambers of commerce in the six states of the region, is partnering the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO), World Bank, Energy Commission, among other agencies and resource persons of global recognition, with practical proofs of existing and successful projects, on the subject matter.
Players in the Organised Private Sector (OPS) such as manufacturers, farmers, businessmen, international and local investors as well as leaders of the South West region, one of which is Olusegun Obasanjo, former Nigerian president, will grace the event.
In her welcome address to announce the event, Iyalode Alaba Lawson, president, Odu’accima, said there was direct correlation between energy consumption and GDP generation, adding that the current global trend was for the economies to inject significant percentage of renewable energy into their energy mix, rather than being totally dependent on fossil fuels.
“It is therefore time for all lovers of this great region, who desire to see it take its place among the committee of regions making global economic impact and relevance, to rise to the responsibility of vigorously exploring other reliable, available, accessible and affordable sources of alternative energy needed for economic production process for growth and development of the region,’’ she said, as the workshop would be a platform for unveiling the prospects of solar, biomass, biodiesel and ethanol fuel as alternative sources of energy in the economic production process, with South West as the focus.
John Isemede, director-general, NACCIMA, said while an average Cameroonian did not know the meaning of power failure, Belgium with half a population of Lagos generated about 60,000 megawatts (mw), adding that Ghana’s recent celebration of over 10 years of uninterrupted power failure was a slap on Nigeria’s face, the supposedly giant of Africa.
“Our forefathers left the country for us. What are we leaving for our children?,’’ he queried, adding that once power was got right, all other things would follow.
Remi Okuriboye, first deputy national president, NACCIMA, said while other countries were already talking of driver-less cars and closing petrol stations, fuel scarcity was still driving Nigerians crazy, wondering what would happen to the country if fuel dried up.
Bayo Ikujenyo, president, Ota-Agbara Chamber of Commerce, said he was excited about the forthcoming workshop, saying that while the economy generated only 4000mw, Ota-Agbara axis alone required 2400mw of electricity.
ODINAKA ANUDU