The Minister of State for Police Affairs, Honourable Imaan Sulaiman – Ibrahim fsi, has assured stakeholders in the energy sector that the Renewed Hope Agenda of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Administration will boost the nation’s energy security.
While declaring open the Civic Forum on Energy Security organized by the Conference of Civil Societies and Centre for Civil-Military Cooperation (CIMICO) on June 4, 2024 in Abuja, the Minister who was represented by Mr. Alkali Sulaiman fsi maintained that President Tinubu was profoundly committed to revamping the nation’s energy sector into a global reference.
She further emphasized a 'Whole of Society' approach to energy security management in alignment with Renewed Hope Agenda.
A significant highlight of the event was the warning by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) on the dire consequences and detrimental impact of Energy Theft.
A Deputy General Manager at NERC, Abdul Tareb made a presentation on “Electricity Tariff Review: The Issues and the Myths,” and addressed the recent circumstances that necessitated the electricity tariff review.
Additionally, Assistant General Manager Michael Faloseyi's presentation on “Monitoring Performance and Mitigating Energy Theft at the Grass Roots: the Role of Civil Societies” underscored the causes, consequences, and penalties of electricity theft, urging greater collaboration with civil societies to curb this menace.
In his welcome address, Mr. Adams Otakwu, Chairperson of the Conference of Civil Societies and Coordinator of CIMICO, emphasized that energy security is a core component of national security and expressed the readiness of civil societies to collaborate with the government in safeguarding the nation's energy infrastructure.
Reinforcing this sentiment, Honourable Ishaya Lalu, Member of the House of Representatives, Rear Admiral I Abbass, representing the Chief of the Defence Staff General Christopher Musa, Air Commodore Elisha Bindul, representing the Chief of Air Staff, and ACG Dr. E. Benito, representing the Commandant General of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), reiterated the need for collective vigilance in protecting Nigeria’s energy infrastructure.
The forum concluded with a six-point communique which highlighted the need for regular civic forums to continuously address challenges in the energy sector.
It called for active engagement between civil societies and energy stakeholders to enhance service delivery and regulatory compliance, as well as the urgent implementation of the Power Consumers Assistance Fund. A Citizen’s Committee on Energy Security was announced to drive advocacy and foster community ownership of energy security, a critical strategy against the vandalization of energy infrastructure.
This collaborative and proactive approach underscores the collective commitment to a secure, sustainable, and resilient energy sector in Nigeria.
The forum included participation from the Office of the National Security Adviser, the Embassy of Belgium, the Federal Road Safety Corps, the Nigerian Correctional Service, the Federal Fire Service, the National Orientation Agency, Yola Electricity Distribution Company, Jos Electricity Distribution Company, and about fifteen Civil Societies and Consumer Advocacy Groups, as well as the media