Shettima inaugurates NEC’s National electrification, polio ad hoc committees
Vice President Kashim Shettima has inaugurated two critical National Economic Council (NEC) ad hoc committees aimed at addressing Nigeria’s pressing challenges in the power sector and eradicating polio.
During the ceremony at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Thursday, Shettima stressed the importance of tackling Nigeria’s electricity crisis as a prerequisite for national economic development. He urged leaders to rise above differences and contribute to transforming the country into an industrialised nation.
“There is no doubt that we cannot dream of meaningful national economic development without addressing the issue in the power sector and ensuring Nigerians have accessible, available, and affordable energy,” the Vice President said.
Citing examples from countries like Indonesia, India, and South Africa, Shettima emphasised the need for Nigeria to resolve energy insufficiency to compete globally.
He expressed optimism that the calibre of committee members, which includes state governors and industry experts, would help resolve longstanding issues like frequent grid collapses and insufficient energy access for an estimated 40-70% of Nigerians.
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The NEC Ad Hoc Committee on National Electrification, chaired by Cross River State Governor Prince Bassey Edet Otu, has been tasked with four key objectives, including eliminating grid collapses and implementing the Electricity Reform Act 2023.
On the health front, Shettima inaugurated the NEC Ad Hoc Committee on Polio Eradication, urging members to develop long-term strategies, including the local production of polio vaccines, to combat the re-emergence of the disease in states like Kano and Sokoto.
“If at all we have relied heavily on assistance from partners to address the devastation caused to our people by this disease, it is time to take a determined step to eradicate this disease from our people,” he stated.
The Gombe State Governor, Alhaji Inuwa Yahaya, who chairs the Polio Eradication Committee, assured that the team is committed to eradicating polio through collective efforts and collaboration with stakeholders like UNICEF and the Aliko Dangote Foundation.
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