Renewal Energy, Key to Quality Telecoms Service Delivery, Says NCC Chief

Christopher Isiguzo in Enugu

The Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Prof. Umar Danbatta on Saturday stated that renewal energy offers the telecommunications industry a viable path to delivering quality services.

Addressing the 6th annual conference of the Renewable & Alternative Energy Society of Nigeria (RAESON) held at the National Centre for Energy Research and Development, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Prof. Danbatta decried the inability of the telecommunications industry to offer quality services at all times, saying that erratic power supply has not only contributed to poor service delivery but has also increased operational cost.

Danbatta, who was represented by NCC’s Director Technical Standards, Engr. Fidelis Onah, said that RAESON is a critical stakeholder in telecommunications since its contributions would help telecoms providers to deliver effective and efficient services to rural areas who are struggling with lack of power and access.

Speaking on theme of the conference, “Renewable Energy in the National Energy Mix”, he said: “Renewal and alternative energy sources have been in the forefront of proffering solutions to the challenges and crisis of global energy demands. It is one easy way of achieving cheap energy source and penetration. And this is not only about cost but also about its availability and sustainability.

“No country can develop, especially the small scale industry without good sustainable and affordable energy source. Bringing solution to this industry will go a long way into alleviating the problems of unemployment and high cost of living.”

Danbatta who was conferred with the fellowship of the society (FRAES) for his commitment to supporting the adoption of renewal energy, added that private partnership would help the government to prioritise renewal energy projects to drive the growth and development of the country.

“Poor funding, manpower, technology base, energy, industrialization and lack of political will have all affected the implementation of renewal energy projects,” NCC’s Vice-chairman/CEO had said.

Earlier, Engr. Umar B Bindir, the president of the 6th annual conference and Secretary to the State Government, Adamawa State, urged the members of the society to monitor global trends on renewal energy in order to gain insights on not only the technologies used but also the policies made.

Bindir, who was also represented by Prof. Raymond Akwule, said monitoring global trends will help the society to contribute enormously to addressing the energy problems of the nation.

He encouraged the members of the society to look at global agencies which support societies like RAESON so that they can continue to promote research and innovation in order to solve pressing problems, particularly power problems bedevilling the country.