By Nsan Ndoma-Neji, Calabar
The Cross River State Commissioner for Power and Renewable Energy, Prince Eka Williams, has expressed the willingness of the state to partner with Natural Justice, a global non-governmental organisation with focus on energy, for the development of the power and renewable energy sector.
The commissioner made the remarks during a courtesy visit by the Programme Manager, Natural Justice, Barr. Mike Karikpo, and his team to the commissioner’s office in Calabar yesterday.
Williams stated that the administration of Governor Baseey Otu, is committed to the development of the sector and increased access to electricity to make life more meaningful in the state.
He stressed that the ministry is making progress by achieving the institutional framework for the electricity market in the state.
He stressed that the state is set to unveil Agenda 40:40, in order to achieve 40 per cent renewable energy in the state energy mix by 2040.
He said, “This will be made possible once the work of the Committee on Renewable Energy Action Plan and State Electricity Policy is concluded and submitted to the governor for approval.”
Williams stated that as Chairman of the Forum of Commissioners of Power in Nigeria, he is collaborating with his colleagues to ensure that there is development of viable and efficient electricity markets across all states.
He lauded the leadership of Natural Justice, over the recent workshop which it organized in Abuja to strategize on how to achieve efficient and viable electricity markets.
In his remarks, the Programme Manager, Natural Justice Nigeria, Barr. Karikpo, while giving an insight into Natural Justice stated that the organization is a global civil society organization with offices in several African countries and headquarters in South Africa and regional office in Senegal.
He stressed that the organization has empowered land and environmental rights defenders, women, and indigenous communities to understand the law and to take legal action to protect their rights to land and a healthy, sustainable environment.
He enumerated the aims and objectives of the organization to include improving citizens’ access to electricity, help states organize their electricity markets, provide resources and technical support to achieve quality legislative frameworks and market rules.
The Programme Executive of Environmental Lawyers Collective, Nigeria, Barr. William Itorok, commended the commissioner for his achievements in the state and urged him to continue his good work.
In his remarks, the Vice Chairman of the committee on Cross River Electricity Policy and Renewable Energy Action Plan, Mr. Emmanuel Etim, canvassed the support of Natural Justice for production of quality results.
Also present at the meeting was Barr. Leo Ekanem, a member of Environmental Lawyers Collective.
