Begin to Develop Energy Transition Plan- Policy Alert Tells Nigeria’s Sub-national Government
Policy Alert, a Civil Society Organisation that promotes fiscal and ecological justice in the Niger Delta has called on the subnational government in Nigeria to begin developing Energy Transition plans peculiar to their society.
The organisation made the call in a press release issued on Thursday, December 14, 2023 during a one-day town hall meeting on ” Energising Tomorrow: Incorporating Youth Perspectives in the Energy Transition for a Sustainable Future”.
Policy Alert said while it is commendable that Nigeria has in place the Energy Transition Plan with a vision for Nigeria to be carbon neutral by 2060, it is important for the sub-national government to also develop Energy Transition Plan that address their peculiar challenges and needs.
The organisation noted that if energy transition must be sustainable, it must incorporate youth perspective not just at the level of the government at the centre but at the sub-national level.
Policy Alert said when sub-national governments develop their energy transition plan, it will reflect in their Medium Term Expenditure Framework, budget among policies and laws put in place in both the State and local government areas.
The statement added ” It is time that the sub-national government begin funding cleaner energy projects. The funds gotten from fossil fuel extraction should be reinvested into cleaner energy sources at the communities.
” Also, as we consider Energy Transition, it is vital that we talk about youth mainstreaming. That is because the youths own the future. The youth are actually the leaders of today. The challenge is that they have been excluded in leadership today.
” To have a sustainable future, the youths should have a seat at the table especially on issues that have to do with energy transition. Nigeria has the largest energy deficit in the world and its highest population is the youth. Those two facts are overlapping and concerning. Since energy powers the economy, it means that this large population is disenfranchised. We want the energy deficit to be closed and transformed and having young people in the discussion is what will energise our tomorrow “.