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Delegates urge Jonathan to declare emergency in power sector

By BusinessNews Staff on June 18, 2014

Delegates at the ongoing National Conference on Monday in Abuja voted that President Goodluck Jonathan should declare a state of emergency in the nation’s power sector to complement the efforts of the late President Umaru Yar’Adua.

They also demanded the full implementation of Electricity Reform Bill.

In their votes on the recommendations and amendments at the plenary, the delegates agreed that the government’s policy should encourage low energy light bulbs, but rejected an amendment that it should set aside at least 60 per cent oil revenue for the Capital Development Fund.

They also unanimously agreed to the amendment that the government should immediately commence efforts to clean up oil spill sites and restore degraded environment in the Niger Delta.

While agreeing that the Petroleum Act of 1969 should be reviewed in the interest of justice and equity, the conference rejected the suggestion that politicians, especially elected public officials, should ensure the usage of Liquefied Petroleum Gas as part of their constituency project undertakings.

They also voted that laws should be enacted by states and local governments to control indiscriminate felling of trees for household energy and charcoal making and exportation.

It was also agreed that henceforth, street lights should be powered throughout the country from solar energy.

The delegates, however, rejected the suggestion that the Federal Government should subsidise the importation of solar panels into the country until the same would be produced locally.

[Punch]

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