To lower carbon emissions coming from the industry, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) is taking intentional initiatives towards the deployment of clean energy.
Barr Adeleke Adewolu, executive commissioner of the commission for stakeholder management, stated that the commission is dedicated to minimizing the effects that telecommunications operations have on the environment and climate change. He noted that the peculiarities of Nigeria’s electricity supply have made the telecommunications sector a contributor to carbon emissions.
Adewolu stated that studies have shown that renewables and energy efficiency, supported by significant electrification, can provide over 90% of the necessary reductions in energy-related carbon emissions. He was speaking about the arrangements to host an event to mark the 2023 World Consumer Rights Day (WCRD) in Abuja with a focus on its regulatory initiatives on clean energy usage in the telecoms sector.
According to him, the greatest way to quicken the global energy transition is to consume more electricity produced by renewable sources.
The commissioner, represented by the executive vice chairman and chief executive officer, Prof Umar Garba Danbatta, noted that the theme of the event is very apt this year, “as we know the implication of the climate change disaster facing the world.
Read Also: africa-energy-plan-unveiled-by-m-east-energy-will-help-nigeria
“So, as a commission, we are committed to reducing the impact of climate change. The telecoms sector contributes to global emissions, particularly when you realise that there are over 54,000 base transmitter stations powered, in some cases 24 hours/ seven days a week, by generators. You can just imagine the emissions from these.”
He explained that the commission was already looking at introducing a policy to encourage ethical energy source, as part of the Commission’s commitment to safeguarding the environment for consumers and other users of telecom services, a move that is also in tandem with the process of actualising some of the key items of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
In what has become a tradition in the commission since 2017, when it declared 2017 as Year of the Telecom Consumers when it honoured telecom consumers by connecting with the global theme for the commemoration to celebrate the day with landmark activities, the commission has continued to promote consumer protection and enlightenment.
The theme of the 2023 edition of the Day is, “Empowering Consumers through Clean Energy Transitions.”
According to the executive commissioner, in recent years, the commission has introduced a regulatory framework on infrastructure-sharing and collocation among the licensees which, he said, has encouraged operators to fully maximise their already-deployed infrastructure.
Story adapted from Leadership
