By Oke Peter
The Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Honourable Abubakar Bawa Bwari said his Ministry has consistently been a critical player in advancing the alternative supply of energy for the country.
He made this statement today during the Nigeria Mining and Geoscience Society (NMGS), and the Nigerian Geological Survey Agency (NGSA), 2018 NMGS-NGSA Discourse Series.
The event with the theme, “Geothermal Energy Resources of Nigeria; An Untapped Potential for Socio-Economic Development” took place at the Ladi Kwali Hall, Sheraton Hotels and Towers, Abuja and had in attendance engineers, scientists and stakeholders in Mining and geosciences.
The Minister said the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development MMSD) has worked closely with the Ministry of power, works and Housing in the coal to power programme towards ensuring that government efforts towards the alternate supply of energy becomes a reality.
He noted that the deregulation of the power sector has created room for the diversification of Nigeria energy mix, away from just hydropower to the use of fossil fuels and other renewable sources as well.
Hon. Bwari stated that the whole aim of Government is to provide the enabling environment for enterprise to thrive and ensure the wellbeing of its citizens, he however pointed out that this could only be possible with adequate supply of electricity.
“The Federal Government would continue to pursue vigorously, traditional means of providing power, we must also look at the untapped potential of Geothermal energy, as well as similar cutting-edge scientific resources”, he added.
He said he was excited to witness Scientists discussing a subject that has huge bearing on the immediate wellbeing of the people and the need to provide cheaper, cleaner and more electricity to Nigerians.
The Minister thereafter charged the Nigerian Geological Survey Agency (NGSA), to continue its collaboration with the Nigerian Mining and Geoscience Society (NMGS) and other stakeholders, both local and international and come up with tangible deliverables that would make the alternate supply of energy a reality.
In his opening remarks, the DG, Nigerian Geological Survey Agency (NGSA), Mr Alex Nwegbu , disclosed that the Discourse Series would chart a sustainable future for incoming generations through the utilization of nature’s greener energy sources-Geothermal Energy.
He said energy source would be added to the Nation’s energy mix and could be the gamechanger in the quests to providing the teeming rural dwellers with a renewable source of power. This, he said would kickstart rural economies and create the much-needed jobs, both of which are key deliverable in the Economic Recovery Growth Plan (ERGP).
The DG noted that the activities of the Agency have resulted in the discovering and inventorying of Mineral deposits, providing Geoscience information for the study of Geohazards such as the incident recently experienced tremor in Abuja.
Mr. Alex also said the Agency has partnered with stakeholders to discover and characterise more rich carbonates resources of Nigeria and that the exercise would address the critical issues contained in the Nigeria Industrial Revolution plan (NIRP), as contained in the ERGP Document.
‘’The upscaled Geodata on carbonates will facilitate the necessary investment decision for an upsurge in the establishment of more cement factories Nationwide as well as provide raw material feed stock for our pharmaceutical, paint, fertilizer and ceramic industries, he further explained.
The DG noted the seriousness of the present administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, in pursuing a vigorous path of National prosperity through the Mining sector.
The President of Nigerian Mining and Geoscience Society (NMGS), Prof. Silas Dada in his remarks said energy plays a most vital role in Economic growth, development, poverty eradication and security of the nation. He said Geothermal energy is important in the long-term vision of providing secure, abundant, cost effective and clean source of energy.
The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed who was represented at the event by the Director, Public Relations and Protocol, Mr. Timothy Oyedeji, in his addressed said it is heart-warming that some sister African countries like Kenya, Ethiopia and Botswana have made appreciable progress in the promotion and use of geothermal energy. He said Nigeria would not be left behind, as Geo-thermal energy resources will help Government realize the objective Economic Recovery Growth Plan (ERGP) 2017-2010.
