Senator representing Kaduna Central senatorial district, Senator Shehu Sani has Tuesday criticize attempt by the Federal Government to invest in Nuclear power in the country saying it is not safe for the nation.
Senator Sani who said 2 billion naira has been allocated for the construction of nuclear station in the 2016 budget, expressed fears that Nigeria as a country is not ready for the nuclear power.
Speaking while flagging-off distribution of Solar Power energy and transformers to Hundred communities within the Kaduna Central Senatorial zone, Senator Sani said instead the Federal Government should invest in renewal solar energy rather than nuclear power which he said comes with a lot of dangers.
According to him, “Nuclear power station is not like what happens, when militants break pipelines and the next day it is repaired.
“If we are to install nuclear station, we should know that it comes with a lot of consequences.
“Nuclear station is not NNPC depot or pipeline, where you can damage it and fix it immediately and continue operations.
He however warned, “We have seen the danger of nuclear power station in Japan and Russia, so, we must be very careful.”
While emphasising that renewable energy is the future of energy, the lawmaker who is also, the Chairman Senate Committee on Foreign and Domestic Debts said Nigeria as a country must take the issue of power very seriously.
He further stated, ” If we are serious about developing our country and serious about diversifying our economy, we must take the issue of electricity very seriously, understanding that without electricity ,we cannot develop and move to the promise land of our dream.
According to him, all industrialised nations of the world addressed the problem of electricity first, before other development issues.
He recalled that in the last sixteen years, successive governments have spent over 25 billion dollars in the name of power generation and distribution and it has not solved the problem.
He also stressed, “Even privatisation of electricity and distribution companies is still unable to address the problem . How long will our people continue to be in the dark?”
” Electricity distribution companies must live to the expectation of our people. If the essence of privatising generation and distribution is to improve service, it has not yielded results because, everyday, power distribution is moving from bad to worst.
“We have seen ECN, NEPA PHCN and now have the GENCOS AND DISCOS, yet our people are in the dark. For how should this continue?
While stressing that APC as the ruling party is committed to change, he said the elected leaders must be seen to be seriously committed to that ambition of change.
Meanwhile, he said as an elected leader, he took it as a responsibility to facilitate the provision of electricity to 100 communities within the seven local government areas in his senatorial constituency .
Explaining that it is not a project that is starting today, he said “In the last 8 months, we have been able successfully intervene in facilitating the provision of electricity to communities with the seven local government which I represent.
” Electricity is an indispensable source for socio-economic development of our society. it an indispensible medium for the industrialisation of our country, we cannot build an economic and viable nation without providing power to our communities .”
The lawmaker also lamented, “It is unfortunate that over 5 decades after independence, Nigeria is still hovering within 2 to 3 thousand megawatts of electricity.
” A nation like South Africa has electricity power generation of over 40 thousand megawatts, a coutry like Pakistan has over 60 thousand megawatts, we cannot achieve our, industrial, economic ambition without electricity.
“Electricity is life, electricity is industry, electricity is commerce, electricity is humanity.
“We have seen over the past few months how our power fortune has plummeted to certain level, even up to zero. This is serious issue that we must take very serious.
“Our people have suffered enough and there is need for all hands to be on deck to get this issue of electricity right
“As a senator representing Kaduna central, I consider it a personal duty and responsibility to do everything possible to intervene in giving support for the provision of electricity to our people.”
He reiterated, “I have taken it upon myself to provide solar power to 100 communities within my constituency and I have started a pilot project by providing solar power for Saint Gerald’s Catholic Hospital, done over a month ago.”
He further said, “I have a request of over 320 transformers and this is not something a senator can do, but promised to attempt to do it .
“Our performance in office is not going to be scored by the social media, but the masses on ground, who bear the brunt of hardship.
” It is only the views of the masses that is most objective view about anybody in office.
“This project is not new as I have provided transformers for several communities, but what is new is that I am introducing solar renewable aspect of energy to our communities. I am now taking a journey towards librating my people from the blackmail of power generation and supply.
” By bringing power to my people, I am empowering my people.”
However, he called on each elected representative of the people to tow the same line. Noting,” We would not be scored by what we say while in office, but what we do about education, agriculture, health, agriculture and power generation .
“But without power there will be no health, education, agriculture and others, which are very strong instrument for empowering the people,” Senator Shehu Sani added. Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
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Hope it will be located in the North. reclaim Sambisa forest for this purpose as well as for cattle rearing. Its big enough.
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