Stakeholders, including government officials, experts, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), as well as Access Bank, have called for enhanced strategies to address climate change and air pollution while creating a more affordable and resilient energy system aimed at improving the economy and the quality of life.They made this call at a two day conference of the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Association (Alliance) REEEA-A themed: “Road to Net Zero: Actionable Initiatives for Success”, at Abuja.
Speaking at the conference, REEEA-A President, Magnus Onuoha, emphasized that, in collaboration with seven associated organizations, the Alliance has actively worked towards improving energy access and security in Nigeria and beyond.
He stated that through its mission, the Alliance has enhanced the quality and standards of renewable energy technologies, research, and policy by fostering knowledge generation and dissemination for sustainable development.
Onuoha highlighted key milestones of the Alliance, including the standardization and validation of energy efficiency measures and the harmonization of renewable energy policies between 2020 and 2021. He further stated that the Alliance has also provided regulatory support to both public and private sector clients, focusing on network and information exchange, youth and gender empowerment, and research support services.
In his remarks, Executive Director, Risk Management, Access Bank, Dr. Gregory Jobome, emphasized on the need for universal access to modern energy. In his words; “As a bank, our mission has evolved beyond conventional banking to embrace sustainability as a core business principle. This journey is not just about us funding individuals or organizations, it’s about all of us working together, co-creating solutions, and scaling up sustainable initiatives across Nigeria and Africa’’.
Earlier, the minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, who was represented by the deputy director of the Power and Energy Division, Owolabi Sunday, acknowledged the pressing challenges posed by climate change and the need for Nigeria to transition from traditional energy sources to cleaner alternatives.