Energy Commission unveils National Energy Policy, Master Plan documents

The Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN) has unveiled two books on the country’s National Energy Policy (NEP) and National Energy Master Plan NEMP). 

In his welcome address, the Director-General/Chief Executive Officer of the Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN), Dr Mustapha Abdullahi thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for his unwavering support and leadership through bold efforts in pushing Nigeria to a greener economy. 

Alluding to the importance of the Commission in driving a safer environment and cleaner energy economy, Dr Abdullahi emphasised that the National Energy Policy (NEP) aims to make the best use of all viable energy resources in the country for sustainable development. He enthused that the two national documents would guide investors, development partners, and scholars, providing an understanding of the government’s overall policy direction. 

His words, “It is pertinent to note that this approval and gazette have given these documents an ‘official’ recognition with an official stance of the government on energy-related issues, providing clarity and consistency in policy direction. It has also given it a legal authority, ending enforcement and implementation of policies therein.”

According to a statement by the Special Adviser on Strategy and Communications, Office of the DG/CEO of the Commission, Omogbolahan Babawale, the event marked a watershed in the history of the Commission as the journey of over 21 years finally culminated in a success story. In April 2003, the need for a National Energy Master Plan (NEMP) and National Energy Policy (NEP) was conceived. By May 4, 2006, a National Committee on Energy Masterplan (NCEM) was inaugurated to articulate the Master Plan for the nation. Today, more than 2 decades later, the nation and her people witnessed the unveiling of the two documents.

In his opening address, the Chairman of the occasion, Honourable Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Chief Uche G. Nnaji stressed that the new energy drive currently being witnessed in the country and under the leadership of the Director-General/Chief Executive Officer, Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN), Dr. Mustapha Abdullahi was in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.. 

Equally in her submission, the Special Guest of honour and Special Adviser to the President on Energy who was also commissioned to unveil the documents, Mrs. Olu Verheijen spoke on the Renewed Hope administration’s efforts on energy as regards reviving the economy and guaranteeing a safer environment.

There were goodwill messages from the Group Managing Director of NNPCL, Mr Mele Kyari, representatives of the Minister of Water Resources, Special Adviser to the President on Policy Coordination and a host of others. 

The event had in attendance the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Chief Uche G. Nnaji, Minister of Defence, H.E Abubakar Badaru, Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Atiku Bagudu, Minister of State for Petroleum (Gas), H.M Ekperikpe Ekpo, Special Adviser to the President on Energy, Mrs Olu Verheijen, Dr Sanusi Ohiare, who represented the Special Adviser to the President on Policy Coordination, Ms. Hadiza Bala-Usman, representatives of the Group Managing Director, Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation Limited, Mr. Mele Kyari, Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), former Directors-General of Energy Commission of Nigeria, Prof. Eli Jidere Bala and Abubakar Sani Sambo both of whom did reviews of the documents and gave useful insights and several other stakeholders from the energy sector.