The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) has assured the Nigeria Sustainable Cooling Project (NSCP) of support in its campaign for efficient energy consumption in the country.
Malam Ali M. Ali, Managing Director of NAN, said this when a delegation from the NSCP, led by Dr Shehu Mustafa, Project Director, paid him a courtesy call in Abuja.
NAN reports that the visit was to solicit the agency’s partnership to sensitise the public about the organisation’s project tagged ‘Scaling Up Energy-Efficient and Climate-Friendly Cooling in Nigeria’s’
The United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) has said that demand for cooling solutions was expected to increase to protect people from rising temperatures, to keep food fresh, vaccines viable and economies productive.
‘By 2050, the demand for cooling is expected to double electricity consumption and an associated surge in greenhouse gas emissions,’ the UN body said.
Ali said that NAN would deploy its strength to the campaign as Africa’s biggest content provider with offic
es nationwide; 12 zonal and 36 states offices.
‘You could not have come to a better medium for partnership and we are representing everything in all the senatorial district and we will take the message to the grassroots.
‘Your campaign on energy consumption efficiency will cost a lot of resources and the agency is a public medium, we are here to give you public service.
‘We will cover all your activities so long we are invited and if need be deploy a permanent reporter, including multimedia to report your activities.’
See also Why Nigeria must succeed on its democratic journey
The MD said over the years people are becoming more energy smart nationwide by making conversion from petrol to other efficient alternative.
Ali tasked NSCP on interagency collaboration with the Standard Organisation of Nigeria and Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission to assist in public enlightenment.
Mustafa, while citing example with air conditioners, explained that while old air conditioners consume current
of about 10 kilowatts, modern efficient air conditioners may consume less than one kilowatt.
He said Scaling Up Energy-Efficient and Climate-Friendly Cooling in Nigeria’s project is funded by the Clean Cooling Collaborative (CCC) and supported by the UNEP.
He explained that energy efficient air conditioners could significantly reduce Nigeria’s energy consumption in residential, commercial and public buildings.
According to him, the project aims to accelerate the adoption of energy-efficient ACs, which will reduce electricity bills, optimise the grid system and lessen pressure on transformers.
Mustafa identified NAN as the ideal partner for spreading the important message to both rural and urban populations.
NAN reports that UNEP is presenting a report at the 79th UN General Assembly on Wednesday that will provide a blueprint for financing sustainable cooling with an emphasis on mobilising private investment.
Source: News Agency of Nigeria