President of the Association of Professional Women Engineers of Nigeria (APWEN), Engr. Dr. Adebisi Osim, has called on the federal government to enhance its budget for renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, and hydropower to alleviate the strain on the national grid.
Osim made this appeal during her address on the second day of the 2024 International Conference Exhibition and Annual General Meeting of APWEN held at Summit Hill Calabar on Tuesday.
She emphasised that the advancement of smart grids and energy-efficient technologies could help lessen the carbon footprint.
Osim also urged the government to create policies that promote public-private partnerships, aiming to ease the burden on the national grid, provide reliable energy to rural and underserved areas, and foster inclusivity and economic growth.
Addressing the theme, “Engineering Innovations and Energy Security for a Sustainable Future,” Osim stated, “I encourage our government to make addressing the long-standing energy crisis in Nigeria a priority.”
“We need to invest in sustainable energy solutions, utilising our engineering capabilities to develop resilient energy infrastructure. We must advocate for policies that endorse renewable energy projects and promote public-private partnerships to improve energy access throughout the country. Innovative engineering solutions are essential to tackling this issue and securing a sustainable future for our nation,” she asserted.
She expressed confidence that the engineering community is prepared to leverage its expertise and collaborate with the government to address the nation’s energy challenges.
Engr. Margaret Aina-Oguntala, the chairman of the occasion and first female president of the Nigeria Society of Engineers, represented by Vice President of Corporate Services, Engr. Dr Felicia Agubata encouraged attendees to exchange ideas that could lead to transformative changes in the industry and the country as a whole.
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