LAGOS STATE LEDS ENERGY CONSERVATION IN NIGERIAby | 27-11-2014 12:12 |
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Nigeria as a developing country is still trying to meet it's infrastructural needs as well as the other basic needs of health and security. The aforementioned needs may be preoccupying the attention of the Nigeria government that though it has done well in the environment sector more vigorous, consistent and committed works still need to be done to help save our environment. But then, the various state governments in Nigeria are not left out in this all-important duty for the environment and perhaps,it's in awareness of this fact that the Lagos state government,in South West Nigeria, two years ago declared the month of October their "Energy Conservation Month". Lagos is densely populated and one of the fastest growing cities in the world. You can only imagine the amount of it's energy output and it's effect to the global environment and so, it was a very welcomed development for me that the Lagos state government led by Gov. Babatunde Raji Fashola,who I have observed, has real interest in a sustainable environment with the Lagos "Horn Free Day" another environmental initiative he introduced in the same October. The annual event which had the 2014 theme as "Conserve Energy, Save Money(CESM)", was special this year as real commitment was shown by the Lagos state government who built energy conserving power plants to add to their interest in that area. In fact, inaddition to Guardian Newspaper Nigeria reporting that Lagos state government Secretariat is now the first seat of power in Nigeria to run without generating sets owing to the investment of the state in power plants, the Nigerian daily also reported thus "all the power plants run on natural gas thereby reducing carbon emissions and promoting a safer and cleaner environment". What amazed me most was that the Lagos state government explored creative ways of passing across the CESM message to the state's huge population by making a popular Nigerian rapper Jude Abaga(aka M.I) their energy conservation ambassador as he led the campaign on the social media with his huge followership a huge assurance of an audience for the message. The Lagos state government had enticing road walks to mark the events through the month and also set up an energy academy to train those that will academically and otherwise, lead this campaign in the future. The first batch students of the academy were inducted in October as the academy was established to train power engineers and artisans to improve the human capital of both the state and country in that area. It was an event that gives me hope whenever I remember it that if this could be a serious concern for a state government in Nigeria, then my job will be easier. I look forward to it being bigger and better by next year. You can read this report for more: http://www.ngrguardiannews.com/news/metro-news/181347-state-govt-kicks-off-energy-conservation-month and here http://www.lseb.gov.ng/?loadSummit=N |
