The Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Prof. Umar Danbatta, has said that renewable energy will boost telecommunication services in the country

Speaking at the sixth annual conference of the Renewable and Alternative Energy Society of Nigeria in Nsukka, Enugu State on Thursday, Danbatta blamed erratic public power supply for the inability of the telecommunications industry to offer quality services.

He said that the poor power supply had not only contributed to poor service delivery but had also increased operational costs.

Danbatta, who was represented by NCC’s Director of Technical Standards, Mr Fidelis Onah, said that society was a critical stakeholder in telecommunications.

He said that its contributions would help telecommunications providers to deliver effective and efficient services to rural areas struggling with lack of access to electricity.

“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; this is not only about cost but also about its availability.”

He said no country could develop its small scale industry without sustainable and affordable energy sources.

“Bringing solution to this industry will go a long way in alleviating the problems of unemployment and high cost of living

“Poor funding, manpower, technology base, energy and lack of political will have all affected the implementation of renewal energy projects.

“Private partnership will help the government to achieve renewal energy projects that will drive rapid growth of the country.”

Earlier, in his speech, the National President of the society, Prof. Chidi Akujor, decried the delays in addressing the challenges of inadequate power supply in the country.

“It is distressing to hear that Nigeria’s electric power production capacity was nearly on the brink of collapse.

“Any solution to Nigeria’s electricity power challenges will require the inclusion of renewal energy in the energy mix.

“Our society is willing to partner with the Federal Government to solve the power problems confronting the nation.”

The meeting was held at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, with the theme: ‘Renewable Energy in the National Energy Mix.’ (NAN)

*Photo shows Prof. Umar Danbatta, EVC, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).

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