Senator Hope Nzodinma, Governor of Imo State Visits Energy Commission of Nigeria
The Governor of Imo State, His Excellency, Senator Hope Uzodinma has paid a visit to
the Management of Energy Commission of Nigeria. The visit was to establish a technical cooperation with
the Commission with a view to facilitating the development of energy resources and lighten up Imo state.
The Director General of the Commission, Prof. Eli Jidere Bala, made a presentation of
the mandates and activities of the Commission from inception to date in his welcome remarks, emphasizing
two key mandates of the Commission as it relates to State governments, to wit: advise the Government of
the Federation or a State on questions relating to such aspects of energy, as the Government of the Federation
or a State, may from time to time refer to it; inquire into and advise the Government of the Federation or
of the State on the adequate funding of the energy sector including research and development, production
and distribution, as well as to liaise with all international organizations on energy matters such as
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), World Energy Council (WEC), IRENA, AFREC, UNDP, UNIDO, UK-DECC,
IEC, AREI and other similar organizations.
After the presentation which also reechoed the establishment of the Commission in 1989 after
the meeting of the heads of ECOWAS in 1982 at Cotonou, where a resolution was made that each member State should
establish an agency to be called Energy Commission, charged with the responsibilities of coordinating and supervising
all energy functions and activities of each member State; the Governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma who was visibly pleased
has this to say of his visit:
“The situation in Nigeria today is very pathetic ranging from the global pandemic to insecurity in
the North-East, high crime rate in the South-East, South-South and South-West. In other words, national security problem
is not a job that should be left for security agencies alone. From what I have seen and the mandate I just saw about
Energy Commission of Nigeria, I want to also see you as a security agency because without light, without energy, there
would be no security anywhere in the world.”
He went further to disclose the purpose of his visit when he said:
“Part of the purpose for my visit today, I met a state in Imo State that is very dark even with all
the effort of the security agencies, because the state is not properly lit up criminals and crimes abound here and there;
so I have come for an advise and possible recommendation that will enable my Government confront the security challenges
in Imo State. I cannot do this alone when opportunities like this exists. I know that going forward, I will be in constant
touch with the Director General because he is a man I have seen that can perform if given the tools. We will work hand in
hand to solicit for support from other agencies of Government to encourage Energy Commission of Nigeria to operate at
maximum level; maybe we can come up with policy that will lit up Urban Centers in the country before we get to the Rural
Centers so that crime rate will come down, citizenship motivation will come up, economy will be stimulated, people will
go about their businesses without fear of any molestation. That will go a long way to not only the Federal Government
but the entire Citizenry. I also want to see this Organization as a platform to connect the country to the International
platforms of all the global agencies so listed. There are also international funds that can be accessed if properly
guided to understand the protocol and I think working with you, we will be able to be guided properly so that we can
benefit from such global intervention for the general benefit of our people. So I think the wisdom of ECOWAS in recommending
member countries to set up Energy Commission will be justified if the impact of the derivatives from the Commission can get
to the citizenry in a manner that it will be more pronounced, more visible and very well felt by all of us. I think I have
come for help and the DG in his usual magnanimity will oblige me and my people will see the significance of my visit very
soon in Imo State.I thank the DG and his team and to formally inform you that I want to be your partner however you want it.”
The DG thanked His Excellency for the visit and for the kind words he said on him and the Commission and stated as follows:
“I want to assure you that we will continue to live up to expectations for the benefit of the citizens of this country
and certainly what you requested for is part of our responsibility and I want to say categorically that we will work very closely with you
and your Government to ensure that your request and the needs of the people of Imo State and other economic activities are met in respect
of energy as an instrument for security. We will certainly make available all avenues, international connections, that we havethat will
benefit Imo State.We will keep in touch and form a team, and we will suggest representatives from your side to work with us and evolve
strategies on how to deal with these issues as they arise. As long as I am here, we will continue to maintain good working relationship
with your Government.”
With this understanding, it is our hope that a chapter has been opened in the relationship between the Commission and
the government of Imo State.
© ECN MEDIA AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS UNIT
The Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodinma, being ushered in by the Director General, Prof Eli Jidere Bala, on arrival at ECN
The Director General, ECN, Prof Eli Jidere Bala, and the Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodinma
TA to the DG, Mr. Abdelnassar Abdallah, ushering the Governor to a seat
The Director General and the Governor
The Director General, ECN, Prof Eli Jidere Bala, as he stresses a point to the Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodinma. With them is the Director, Energy Training & Manpower Development,
Mallam A. O. Aliyu
The Director General, ECN, Prof Eli Jidere Bala, and the Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodinma
The Director General, ECN, Prof Eli Jidere Bala, formally presents the National Energy Policy document and other publications of the ECN to the Governor at the Commission
The Director General, ECN, Prof Eli Jidere Bala, making his presentation to the Governor at the Commission
A cross section of the Management staff of ECN and the delegation of the Governor at the Conference Room of the Commission
Group photograph with the Governor while maintaining COVID-19 protocol