PRESS STATEMENT FROM THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT

MINISTRY WANTS TELECOM FIRMS TO CONSIDER USING SOLAR ENERGY

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All telecommunication operators in Nigeria are to be encouraged to start changing to solar system to power their telecommunication sites and masts throughout the country.

The Ministry of Environment took this decision in Abuja yesterday in its further drive to make Nigerians tap into the alternative environmentally friendly energy sources.

The Minister of Environment, John Odey who had a meeting with heads of the Parastatals and Agencies in the ministry yesterday said that Nigeria needs to move fast in the area of cleaner energy now so as not to be left behind by the rest of the world.

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In moving the nation against looming consequences of environmental degradation, it is important that we should begin to embrace clean development mechanism in all sectors of our national life.

The Minister said that soon the Ministry will embark on a nationwide sensitisation campaign on the use of renewable energy to lessen the effect of climate change and environmental degradation. We need to start educating Nigerians on the usefulness of solar energy, he said.

The use of solar energy system is not going to be limited to the telecoms operators as other sectors of the economy are also going to be encouraged to key into the policy.

The Minister stressed that Nigeria is very vulnerable to response measures that could arise as a result of multilateral steps to combat climate change and we should collectively start moving towards the use of renewable energy in order to sustain our economic development.

Response measures are measures being taken by the developed countries to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and this include the introduction of carbon tax on consumption of petroleum.

An increased carbon tax will lead to a reduction in the consumption of these fuels, which is injurious to our economy.

 

Ajayi Rotimi

SA (Media)

January 27, 2009