Nigeria adopts ECOWAS policy for better energy access

THE Federal Government, yesterday, adopted the Economic Community of West African States ( ECOWAS) action plan on gender mainstreaming to tackle energy poverty, disparity and non- inclusion in Nigeria.

Minister of Power, Abubakar Aliyu, made the disclosure during a workshop for validation of the National Action Plan for Gender Mainstreaming in Energy Access, with the theme, Gender Mainstreaming in Energy Access, organised by the ECOWAS Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency ( ECREEE) in Abuja.

Represented by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, William Alo, the minister lauded the centre for ensuring that the policy was embraced as a national strategy.

He said: “As nation, we have made significant progress with the development of the Nigerian National Action Plan for gender mainstreaming in energy access.

“The action plan will not only allow the country to meet regional requirements of removing the barrier of equal participation of men and women in energy access, but also align Nigeria’s 30: 30: 30 electricity vision to SDG goal numbers 5 – Gender Equality, 7 – Affordable Energy and 13 – Climate Change.”

In her remarks, ECREEE Programme Coordinator, Monica Maduekwe, pointed out that the document would create a level- playing field for both genders to better the sector in the quest for achievement of universal energy access for the ECOWAS populace.

She clarified: “The policy aims at addressing the barriers hindering women from benefiting optimally in the energy sector, because the industry is maledominated in policy- making.

“What we are doing is to close the gap by creating opportunities for women to participate in the sector either as decision makers, technical experts or even in business as private sector participants.”

The event also attracted people from the regulatory agencies within the sub- region, including civil society organisations ( CSOS), academics, research institutions, development partners and representatives of relevant stakeholders.