Vice-President Kashim Shettima says Electricity is the Oxygen of Economic Growth and access to it is a Fundamental Right and not a Privilege.
Shettima stated this while addressing the 146th National Economic Council (NEC) Meeting held at the Presidential Villa on Thursday in Abuja.
The Vice President statutorily presides over NEC Meeting with the 36 State Governors some Key Ministers and others as Members.
“The past few months of collapses in our National Power Grid compel us to reinforce the pace with which we are adopting and implementing the National Electrification Strategy..
“Our Blueprints must, therefore, strive to expand access, empower Rural Communities, and drive Productivity, especially for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
”I hope that our Discussions today will inspire solutions to light up Homes, power Businesses, and fuel Nigeria’s Industrial future.
“Whatever path we agree upon, it is clear that a Private-Sector-led distributed Renewable Energy Generation approach is essential to increasing Electricity Access for Households and Small Enterprises alike,” he said.
The council resolved to reinforce implementation of the National Electrification Strategy in a bid to end the collapse of the Nation’s Power Grid.
It also constituted a Committee on National Electrification to help address the challenges in the Power Sector.
Shettima also outlined Issues before the Council that required urgent attention to include Energy Infrastructure, Human Capital Development and Creative Industries.
Others are Fiscal Strategy, Industrial Innovation, and Long-Term Development Planning, describing them as Foundational to the Transformation Nigeria needs.
”It is for this that Experts and Stakeholders from some of the Critical Sectors have been invited to share their insights and contributions,” he said.
Shettima urged the Council to take Nigeria’s Creative Industry seriously because of its potentials to redefine the Nation’s Economic Trajectory.
”New Technologies have not only amplified the Global Appeal of our Arts, Crafts, and Culture but also opened up Revenue Streams and Job Opportunities for Nigerians.
“Our Music, Films, Art, and Cultural Heritage are not just Global Symbols of Nigeria’s Soft Power but also vital Engines of Economic Growth.
”We cannot afford to relegate the promise of turning Creativity into Wealth, empowering our Youth, and positioning Nigeria as a Hub of Innovation and Cultural Excellence,” he said.
Credit NAN: Texts excluding Headlines
