NEITI To Unveil Energy Transition Road Map

Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) will shortly release a roadmap outlining Nigeria's participation in the energy transformation initiative.

This was disclosed by the NEITI Executive Secretary, Dr Orji Ogbonnaya Orji, at a workshop organised in Abuja by NEITI and the Natural Resource Governance Institute (NRGI), a U.S.-based organisation.

The roadmap will contain a wealth of information, according to Orji, who explained as much in a statement released on Wednesday by Obiageli Onuorah, Head, Communications and Advocacy, NEITI.

He said that the roadmap would include a framework containing facts and figures to direct the execution of the Federal Government's comprehensive Energy Transition Plan, which was just given the go-ahead by the Federal Executive Council.

Orji added that the workshop was planned to solicit the Board and Senior Management Team of NEITI as well as the NRGI's assistance with respect to the subject topic.

As part of its ongoing discussions with stakeholders to create the required roadmap, NEITI has partnered with the NRGI.

Orji asserts that the switch to renewable energy from carbon-based energy has far-reaching effects on the world economy, particularly in Nigeria.

“The implications for Nigeria, a highly natural resource revenues dependent country, are very huge, especially with regard to energy security, citizens livelihood, job opportunities and economic development”.

“For us at NEITI, we have a legitimate interest and duty to help our country develop comprehensive content to guide its rule of engagements required to maximise the opportunities in energy transition while minimising its associated risks,” the statement quoted Orji as saying.

Orji revealed that the plan will be discussed at a national debate on energy transition that will take place in Abuja in September of this year.

In his remarks, Olusegun Adekunle, Chairman of the NEITI Board, emphasised the board's commitment to providing NEITI with the necessary policy guidance that may help with the creation of the roadmap.

Adekunle referred to energy transformation as the industry's future.

Additionally, he urged workshop attendees to use the occasion to advance their understanding of energy transition and develop their talents.

The West African Regional Manager of NRGI, Nafi Chinery, emphasised the necessity of making Nigeria's economic diversification one of the top goals in the nation's response to the energy transformation.

“Nigeria has a chance to minimise the economic shocks from the energy transition, but can only do so if the government responds quickly by making evidence-based decisions.

“The country can also minimise economic shocks by putting in place appropriate measures to mitigate the risks and enhance the benefits and diversification potential provided energy transition,” Chinery said.

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A National Council on Climate Change has been established by the ministry to support the implementation of an energy transition programme, according to the Minister of the Environment, Mohammed Abdullahi, who was represented by the Director of Environmental Impact Assessment, Celestine Gomwalk.

In order to provide a nationally coordinated energy transition initiative, Gomwalk welcomed with joy the expanding relationship with NEITI in the areas of planning, capacity building, information and data sharing.

Leading energy specialists from both inside and outside the nation gave talks during the event.