Vice President Kashim Shettima says the National Economic Council (NEC) will adopt measures to speed up the decentralisation of the national grid, with a view to end incessant collapse that has plunged some states in the North into total darkness.
VP Shettima said this in his opening remarks at Thursday’s meeting of the National Economic Council, held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
He listed some of the measures for the decentralization of the national grid to include the establishment of mini-grids, solar and renewable energy sources like solar photovoltaic and wind turbines.
The Vice President said; “the burden of accountability has compelled the government to never look away from these issues.”
Energy Plan
He stressed the urgent need for the implementation of the Nigeria Energy Sector Implementation Plan (NESIP), emphasising that the energy sector must embrace the potential of renewable energy, as well as leverage solar and mini-grid solutions designed to meet regional electricity demands.
He said: “A robust economy is the backbone of every nation. The recent blackouts caused by the actions of vandals remind us of our urgent need to expand our energy infrastructure. I believe the governors here would agree that the decentralisation of electricity is our path forward.
“We will continue to promote the constitutional framework that empowers constituent states within the Nigerian federation to generate, transmit, and distribute electricity in areas covered by the national grid. Together, we can make instability a relic of the past.”
The VP said; “Furthermore, our energy sector must embrace the potential of renewable energy. We must leverage solar and mini-grid solutions tailored to regional needs. I urge the Council to support the implementation of the Nigeria Energy Sector Implementation Plan (NESIP).
“If we capitalize on our diverse regional energy resources—from northern Nigeria’s solar potential to the south’s gas reserves—we can build a resilient, decentralized energy system that drives growth and empowers our communities.”
Reforms
VP Shettima also said the tax reforms initiated by President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Administration will broaden the nation’s revenue base, foster economic stability, and diminish dependency on specific sectors.
He said; “I must admit that the tax reforms initiated at the onset of this administration by His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, have opened avenues to address stakeholders’ concerns, particularly regarding VAT reform and its implications for sub-national revenues.
“As representatives of diverse interests, I have no doubt that you share a common aspiration: to broaden our revenue base, foster economic stability, and diminish our dependency on specific sectors.”
Human Capital
On Human Capital Index, VP Shettima cautioned that it is a tragedy that must be confronted following Nigeria’s low ranking.
“We grapple with alarming statistics related to life expectancy, maternal and child mortality, and educational attainment. We gather here today to redeem this dark reality through a series of deliberations and recommendations across various sectors, to be presented by participating specialists in government and by development partners,” he stated.
Flood Disaster
The VP further shed light on the progress made so far in the bid to mitigate flood disasters, noting that “the past few months have tested the durability of the solutions” implemented to advance flood resilience.
He said; “Although the floods caught of us off guard in various parts of the nation, our proactive mitigation efforts have inspired sustainable strategies to address the extensive damage caused, including significant property losses and health risks.
“I commend the Honourable Minister of Water Resources and the Director-General of National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) for their foresight and swift action. Today invites us to reinforce our commitment to implementing approved mitigation measures, ensuring that states report their flood damages comprehensively, as outlined in our NEC Ad-hoc Committee report.
Mercy Chukwudiebere
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