Prof. Gwadangaj Danshehu, of Department of Mechanical Engineering and Enviromental Design in Othman Dan Fodio University has called on the Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) to set up machinery to ensure quality control of equipment for renewable energy (RE) in the country.
Danshehu made the call during his presentation titled “Emerging Opportunities in Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Sector in Nigeria” at 2020 FCT Builders Conference and Annual General Meeting on Thursday in Abuja.
The theme of the conference is “Emerging Opportunities in Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Sector in Nigeria”
He said Nigeria’s energy sector remained a key constraint to the nation’s economic development.
Danshehu explained that with over 200 million people, Nigeria’s total capacity for electricity generation is 14,308 Mega Watts (MW)
“However, only 6,158MW are operational; of these, only between 4000MW and 5500MW were actually generated for consumption
“It is glaring that we need to focus on RE as alternative option. We have the potential for RE and the 37 universities and Teaching Hospital in the six geopolitical zone are at various level developing Solar Therma Systems but we are not there yet.
“However, SON should come in to Checkmate the solar panels and other imported equipment because some will write that it is 80W but in truth it is less than 50W.
“Therefore, SON must step up to ensure ensure that the quality of these things are regulated,” Danshehu said.
The Don itemised barriers to large scale application of RE technologies to include high initial investment cost, lack of adequate awareness, lack of financial and fiscal incentives and inadequate policies and administrative framework.
He suggested that there was need to strengthen human and infrastructural capacity on RE and adoption of practical financial and fiscal incentives.
“We can fabricate wind energy 100 per cent in the country, the only thing we can import is the magnet, that is all. We have potentials but having potentials is not enough we need to act”.
Also speaking Dr Samson Opaluwah, the Vice Chairman of Council of Registered Builders of Nigeria admonished Builders and members of Nigerian Institute of Builders to add value to the industry.
He said it was regrettable that builders in government offices always want to be called upon to do something.
According to him, most of them are more concerned with building allowance.
“As a builder, you should be able to go to a building that need maintenance and say I have an appointment solution for it. You have to be an expert,” he said.
Meanwhile, some participants said builders were ashamed of addressing themselves as ‘Builders’ instead they prefer to call themselves engineers others said most builders don’t dress appropriately in the name of going to site.
They agreed that a good builder should be able to develop quality management plan in which health and safety is taken into cognizant.
