The Minister of Power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo, has disclosed federal government’s resolve to explore the abundant renewable energy sources such as mini hydro, solar, wind, coal, and bio- mass in the country in 2013 to ensure the provision of electricity to the rural dwellers as well as reduce carbon emission.
Nebo stated this when some members of the German Parliament led by the German Ambassador to Nigeria Mrs. Dorothee Janetzke-Wenzel, paid him a courtesy visit in his office in Abuja, yesterday.
The minister who disclosed that Nigeria has abundance of both natural and human resources which were yet to be optimally tapped, lamented that the power situation in Nigeria was far below expectation, urging the German government to assist Nigeria in the area of power supply.
While thanking the delegation for their fact finding mission to Nigeria, Nebo urged them to take advantage of the nation’s huge investment opportunities, especially in the power sector, a statement by the ministry’s assistant director (press), Ibrahim Haruna, said.
Earlier, the German Ambassador to Nigeria, Mrs. Dorothee Janetzke-Wenzel, said the parliament members were in Nigeria on a fact-finding mission and to ascertain the power sector situation in the country with a view to finding out areas they can invest in.
The delegation said the German government was very interested in the positive development of Nigeria, pointing out that electricity is a catalyst to the development of any country.
On her part, Minister of State for Power, Zainab Kuchi, informed the visitors that government has done a lot of feasibility studies on mini-hydro power in the country and as such needs private investors to implement the projects.
She further emphasised the need to use waste for energy noting that it would help provide electricity as well as clean-up the environment.
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