Enugu State Government to Creat 792,000 Jobs in Renewable Energy, Waste Management and Reforetation

... Leverages Off-Grid Electrification Policy, Climate Change Policy and Action Plan

The Enugu State Government has Friday, January 2025, passed and approved the Enugu State Off-Grid Electricity (OGE) Policy, Climate Change Policy and Action Plan to support sustainable electricity access for the unserved and undeserved areas of the state, and make for renewable energy in line with climate change and adaptability, all of which align with Gov. Mbah's eight-year economic development plan, focusing on three  strategic objectives: Peace, and Security, Inclusive Economic Development and Sustainable Prosperity for all.

Briefing the press after the Executive Council Meeting held at Government House Enugu, the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, flanked by the state's Commissioner for Finance, Dr. Nathaniel Uramah and the Commissioner for Environment, Prof. Sam Ugwu, said, "EXCO considered and approved  two very important policies for Enugu State Climate space and our Off-Grid space."

On state's Off-Grid Policy, the SSG gave the details as to its relevance that found the Exectuve Council's  gracious approval.

"The request to approve Enugu State Off-Grid Electrification Policy was approved by EXCO, and this policy is designed to complement the Enugu State Electrification Policy that was passed in 2023 Enugu Electricity Law.

"This provides a framework that would catalyse private-sector investment, enhance socio-economic growth, and improve  the overall quality of life of Ndi Enugu.

"This policy also recognises the importance of distributed renewable energy solutions such as solar, wind, hydro, and biomass. These  will be the key drivers for electrification in the rural periurban areas.

Speaking on the second policy and its action plan also passed  and approved by the Executive Council, Prof. Onyia said the policy and its action represented 'a ground-breaking initiative  of the Mbah Administration aimed at achieving its sustainable economic growth while mitigating and adapting to climate change.

"We do recall that Enugu State had started this policy design in the past eight months, and finally, after the surveys and after crunching the number from various instruments we used, we have come up with a policy and action plan. This action plan will help us enhance economic growth. This is very important for us in job creation, and we are looking at a situation where we facilitate the creation of 792,000 jobs by 2060 in the sector, such as renewable energy, waste management and reforestation."

Onyia also added that the policy and its action plan would help the state government address its climate change resilence focus which would help the government deal with or mitigate its annual greenhouse gas emission, and reduce the loss and damage due to climate changes through the right type of investments in energy efficiency  and climate change infrastructure. 

"We are also mindful that with this action plan, we will align with nationally-determined contribution which is something the the Enugu State Government is very keen on ensuring that we take the leadership role in supporting that, that has been agreed by the Nigerian Government at the federal level

"In terms of our energy transition, we are very mindful that Enugu State take a key role in pursuing  to 80 per cent renewable energy by 2060. His Excellency, Dr Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, is very focused, very determined, to push the policy and ensure that the right framework, which you will find in the action plan, is in place.

"This policy and action plan will help complement the provision of systematic curriculum and manual that will support the instructional focus of teaching Climate Change in our flagship school project, our Enugu State Smart Green Schools, and this will also expose us to innovative financing. Most of you know we have been pushing and leveraging climate bonds, lended finance ,and carbon markets to mobilise resources for sustainable development," the SSG explained.

In conclusion, Prof. Onyia said that the Executive Council graciously approved the two policies in order to set Enugu State on the path of ensuring that the undeserved and unserved in the Enugu electricity market were provided for, and also in order to address the state's climate change awareness and resilience process, adaptation and other things the state government had been pushing, saying it was good the state then had a policy to back it and a framework to work on.