Renewable energy initiative possible, requires appropriate policies  — Ex-PENGASSAN president

Mr Peter Esele, a former President of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), has called on the Federal Government to formulate appropriate policies to drive its renewable energy initiatives.

He said in an interview with journalists in Benin on Wednesday that achieving the renewable energy goal by the Government was possible.

He, however, noted that its success is dependent on government coming up with implementable and not too difficult framework.

Esele also said that achieving the feat is also dependent on the creation of tax breaks for entrepreneurs and also making it easier for foreigners to invest in the sector of the nation’s economy.

He noted that the nation could realise its renewable energy goal if the government focused all its attention to it, adding that the feat could be achieved within 15 years to 20 years.

According to him, “The Federal Government had some time ago said that by 2025 it will make 30 per cent of the vehicles in our country to be run on renewable energy or clean energy.

“But I think for now we are still in the ‘talk, talk, talk’ stage and have not gone to the action stage.

“It is one thing to have a goal or initiative, another to have the policy to drive the goal or initiative.

“Another necessity is the money to drive it and to also create the enabling environment for investors to key into the goal.

“So, that is the key. It’s not just for us to talk about it; it is also for us to have the discipline to follow through.”

The former Trade Union Congress (TUC) President, however, mere talk would make it impossible to achieve the feat even in 30 years.

Esele further said that ranking environment and climate change in order of priority was majorly the government’s responsibility.

He stressed that government should ensure that whatever environmental policies being put in place, the various agencies must do what was needed.

He further urged the government to ensure that the International Oil Companies (IOCs) complied with best practices in environment regulation.