IGBARIAM – The Federal Government has reiterated its commitment to ensuring steady and improved power supply through large scale infrastructure development.
The Minister of Power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo, gave the assurance on Friday, at a convocation lecture as part of activities of the fifth convocation ceremony of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Igbariam.
In his lecture entitled: “Energy and Education Development: Problems and Prospects”, Nebo said Nigerians should expect increased electricity supply by December 2014.
He said that the reform in the energy sector would industrialise the country, ensure greater productivity and higher Gross Domestic Product.
The improvement in power supply he said would also ensure increase in jobs, income and standard of living.
“The Federal Government has strengthened the capacity and credit worthiness of the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Company by injecting 800 million dollars into it.
“There is a deliberate plan by the government to diversify the energy mix through the exploitation of our renewable energy resources such as solar, wind, hydro and bio-mass.
“Currently, the Federal Ministry of Power is planning to replicate the successes in Operation Light Up Rural Nigeria to increase access to energy through renewable energy,” he said.
Nebo said that with the support of all, government hoped to increase generation and meet the 6,000 megawatts projection by Dec. 2014.
The Minister called on Nigerians to support the fight against theft and vandalism of gas pipelines as well as transmission and distribution infrastructure.
Nebo also said that there was the need to reform the education sector to focus on strategies that ensure productive learning for educators and students.
In his address, Gov. Peter Obi of Anambra State, pledged to provide additional water schemes to the institution.
He advised the graduating students to contribute their quota to build a better country.
The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Fidelis Okafor, said that the university had made a mark in the area of research and had established academic cooperation with some universities abroad.
Okafor enjoined the graduating students to always remain good ambassadors of the institution and engage themselves in honest and meaningful activities.
The Pro-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Elo Amucheazi, called for the strengthening of the cooperation among the three tiers of government to increase funding for the universities. (NAN)
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