The Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu has said that Nigeria will now join other countries of the world that uses atomic materials for energy supply.
Onu made this known at the validation workshop of the draft revised National Energy Policy and its Related Masterplan in Abuja on Monday.
Court dismisses NBA’s suit seeking to reinstate sacked pregnant police officer
Ex-Sports Minister, Bolaji Abdullahi, joins Kwara senatorial race
The minister said Nigeria is watching with keen interest, the research ongoing in many countries on nuclear fusion technology for energy use.
“The progress made in this research may appear small, but it is very significant and important in energy generation. The countries involved in this research in nuclear fusion, are planning to achieve energy sufficiency in the future,’’ he said.
According to the minister, a national energy policy and master plan are imperative to guide energy development in a coordinated manner.
He added that the policy is important as it is actively sought after by investors, development partners and scholars who intend to use it for the development of this sector.
He said, “While the National Energy Policy (NEP) provided policies for long term coordinated energy development for our energy security in an environmentally sustainable manner and with the active participation of the private sector, the energy master plan provides the roadmap for achieving the policy objectives through activities and programmes with timelines”
Energy, according to Onu, affects development in all sectors of the economy, such as transportation, health, agriculture, industry, education, security etc.
Also speaking at the occasion, the Minister of State for Science, Technology and Innovation, Barrister Mohammed Abdullahi said that the National Energy Policy is one which articulates the way and manner the government intends to develop its energy sector, adding that it provides the general roadmap for the achievement of the policy objectives with timelines.
Meanwhile, the major stakeholders invited at the workshop have adopted the draft document for onward approval by the Federal Executive Council.