Power generation: Nigeria should explore new technologies – Aliyu

Governor Babangida Aliyu of Niger State has said that the government can improve the nation’s power supply by exploring new technologies like solar and wind power, as well as conserve electricity through the introduction of energy-saving, low wattage bulbs.

Speaking shortly after receiving a merit award from the Nigerian Association of Illumination Professionals in Abuja on Friday, he stated that his administration was pursuing an aggressive illumination of the towns and cities in Niger State, using solar technology, which he said was cheaper than hydro-power.

The governor received the award along with the Director-General of Federal Road Maintenance Agency, Mr. Kabiru Abdullahi; DG, Energy Commission of Nigeria, Prof. Abubakar Sambi; and President, Nigeria Community in Turkey, Mr. Gabriel Uwakwe.

Aliyu, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Power and Energy, Mr. Yahaya Daudu, explained that the nation stands to gain much if the government and entrepreneurs explore the vast opportunities in alternative power generation other than hydro-power generation.

He stated that private individuals should be encouraged to invest in power generation through solar energy, saying the fact that Nigeria gets much sunlight is an advantage that should be exploited to bail it of out of the present power outage.

The governor called on the NAIP to sensitise the nation to the benefits of power-saving bulbs, just as he charged the association to liaise with relevant government agencies to prevent Nigeria from being a dumping ground for sub-standard power products from Asian countries.
Source:http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art20101121221759