ABUJA – Some delegates at the National Conference on Monday called for the immediate ban on the importation of all types of generating sets into the country.
The delegates made the call at plenary while contributing to the debate of the report of the Committee on Power.
They contended that banning the importation of generators would ensure improved electricity in the country.
Hajiya Dije Bala, representing Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), expressed regrets that Nigeria had become a dumping ground for sub-standard generators.
“I do not see the reason why Nigeria should become the dumping ground for all categories of generators.
“I think the government should be able to make a policy that will completely stop importation of generators.
“I am pretty sure importers of generators could have hands in ensuring that the government does not attain its desire to provide sufficient electricity to Nigerians.
“I will recommend that government should take a bold step to stop the importation of generators.
“When generators are no longer there, we would stand up to see what we can do,” she said.
Mrs Ebele Okeke, representing retired civil servants, alleged that importers of generators had constituted themselves into a cartel that had been frustrating the nation’s quest for improved and efficient electricity.
Okeke, a former Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, explained that that if importation of generators was banned, Nigeria would record improvement in electricity supply.
Also, Mr Abdulsalam Taofeek, said that banning importation of generators would save Nigerians from the rising cases of respiratory diseases arising from indiscriminate emission of fumes.
He said that several Nigerians had lost their lives from inhaling fumes from generators while asleep.
The delegates supported the recommendation of the committee for government to utilise its energy mix, particularly the renewable energy.
They stressed the need for a long-term strategic planning to develop renewable energy, particularly solar.
They noted that renewable energy was cleaner and more environmentally-friendly than fossil energy.
The delegates also supported the committee’s recommendation for the harnessing of the abundant coal deposits scattered all over the country to bridge the energy need gap.
The conference adopted the amended report of the committee, making it the 11th to be adopted out of 20. (NAN)
