BY AKUDORO GLORIA
The immediate past President of National Union Electricity Employees (NUEE), Engr. Martins Ikechukwu Uzoegwu has said that due to poor power generation, Nigeria should leverage renewable energy to improve capacity and boost economy.
Uzoegwu said this during his Conferment Award as Distinguished Mayor for World Peace (MP-UN) by the United Nations for Peace and Positive Living Awareness Centre on Thursday in Abuja.
NUEE National delegate Conference was held on 22nd February in Enugu State where Engr. Uzoegwu bowed out meritoriously with numerous achievements recorded having Served the Electricity workers for 8 years as the President of National Union of Electricity Employees.
The immediate past NUEE President who expressed displeasure with the existing 4000MW of generation, said with political-will and right leadership, claimed that Nigeria could generate up to 10,000 Mega Watts of electricity for its citizens to enjoy 19-hour supplies.
Explaining why he was recognized with the prestigious award, he emphasized, “I believe that there was due diligence in the selection which was done by the organizers and have found me worthy to be part of those that been conferred. I believe they examined all the indices and the criterias from the past 8 years I have served as the President of NUEE in Nigeria.
“With the kind of support, collaborations and social dialogue we always have with the Government and employees and also ensured the society at large were not been reaped off from the decay of power sector.
“You and I are aware that in recent time the generation has continue to drop and people continue to agitate for a better electricity supply. but we were able to work hard to ensure the reserved 4000 Mega Watts is being maintained for people to have electricity in their homes and business places.
“Though, it is very unfortunate that we need to do more. We expected that at least the country should generate upto 10,000MW or more. But with the little that we have, we still sustained it and that has brought peace in the country. And I would say these were the criterias they examined to deem me worthy for the Award”.
Uzoegwu, while encouraging the organizers to continue the good work, said all hands most be on desk for us to have a peaceful society and a better nation.