Renewable energy development as a solution to rural electrification in Nigeria

The ratio of electricity generated through renewable energy sources in developing and least developed countries, barring a few, are not at all significant, as due to lack of sophisticated technology and scarce financial resources. The problem of electricity in most of the African countries, despite having abundance of potential of wind and intensity of the sun is more than most part of the developing world. Most of the developing countries, including African countries get renewable energy between 1 to 3 percent. They squarely depend on gas and coal, with or without certain alternative energy sources, for power generation. Nigeria is no exception to this. In this paper, the condition of rural electrification in Nigeria is analysed with the intention to provide viable solutions for the development and provision of energy in order to reduce electricity problem among the local communities, to encourage industries with the help of the government to have some power generated from renewable energy sources, especially through PV panels, so that the burden on the central power generation sources could be reduce. The efficient electricity for the small scale industries via this source will alleviate the massive unemployment rate in the country. In view of these, the paper also examines the Nigerian power generation mix and use the idea of energy diversification method resorting to renewable energy sources readily available in the country in providing electricity in the Nigerian rural areas

Protection of Environmental Rights for Sustainable Development: An Appraisal of International and National Laws

Abstract: There is a close nexus between sustainable management, use and utilization of the environment and safeguard of environmental rights. Both are equally important for the wellbeing of the human kind, but this warrants striking a balance between them. It is for this reason that law has to provide for abatement and control of degradation of the environment and protection of environmental rights. At international level, early human rights instruments made no direct mention of protection of environmental rights, but they, in effect, safeguard them. The later ones have direct mention about protecting these rights. The Aarhus Convention is notable among them. It specifies environmental rights as: rights to access to relevant environmental information, right to participate in environmentalrelated decision-making, and right to access to justice. This paper attempts to critically examine the provisions of these conventions. At national level, some states grant environmental rights under right to life enshrined in their constitutions with specific provision for protection of these rights. Some other states have imposed duties, through their constitutions, as not to pollute the environment. The authors are of the opinion that the effect of all is the same. The courts both internationally and nationally have played a proactive role in ensuring environmental rights are provided in various legal instruments. In some countries, judicial activism has demonstrated a mark distinction by relaxing the requirement of locus standi for facilitating public interest litigations, which has, in effect, brought justice to the doorsteps of the poor and least resourceful people, because availability of such rights will have no value unless procedural impediments are not eased. The authors are of the opinion that the requirement of locus standi should be relaxed in all countries in the interest of general public. Key words: Environmental rights, sustainable development, international laws, national law

Challenges to policy implementation in renewable energy development in Nigeria

Nigeria, rich in oil and gas, is among the top ten oil producing countries worldwide and plays a vital role in the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC). It has over 33 billion bbl oil reserves with 2.7 billion tonnes of coal reserves as conventional energy sources. It also has tremendous potential for renewable energy sources such as small hydropower, solar energy, wind energy and biomass energy. Yet the country does not have enough power supply to sustain its economic development. Sustainable economic development is engendered though sustainable energy and sustainable power generation from all sources. Where there is no sustainable power generation, the country’s economic growth and per capita GDP will go on declining. In view of this, this paper examines the issues pertaining to capability of power generation and energy demand and makes special reference to efforts that have been made so far in that area in the country. The paper further examines a number of challenges the country is facing in the implementation of its energy policy and laws by various government agencies

Right to self-determination, democracy and the Shari'ah: an expository study

Abstract:The self-determination right, which is a so-calledthird generation right, and which gained prominence in international law as jus cogensand ergaomnes- as it has been recognized by a large number of international legal instruments and a good number of courts - was broadly used for decolonization and establishment of a number of sovereign states. In the contemporary world also,it is of great importance for establishing and working of democratic regimes and guaranteeingthe practice of constitutionalism. But this right cannot be invoked to support secessionist movements, except for genuine cases like Palestine and Kashmir. The Shari‘ah principles pertaining to establishment and governance of states based on a constitution made in line with it, i.e. the sovereignty has to be with Allah (s.w.t.), citizens, including non-Muslim citizens, will command various rights and duties, as determined in light of the Qur’an and Sunnah and commanded from time to time by the Khalifa in conformity with them, and there has to be a participatory democracy based on the concept of a Khalifa and a Majlis al-Mushawarah. According to Islam, a regime must uphold the law of Allah (s.w.t.) and must work for the interest of general public (maslahahmursalah). On the contrary, it will not have right to remain in poweragainst the will of Allah. If the government is arbitrary, working against the Islamic tenets, or obliterating the interests of its people,people have the right to revolt against the regime and establish a government of their own choice. In fact, the basic principles pertaining to the right of selfdetermination in international law and the Shari‘ah are co-extensive. But its modus oparendi may differ under the two paradigms. It is for this reason that a democratic set up in Muslim states may be different from that of their Western counterparts. Key words: Right to self-determination, democracy, the Shari‘a

Renewable energy development in tow selected African countries: an overview and assessment

Government officials, academics, independent researchers and private investors have been working since the energy crises in the 1970s towards maximizing alternative and new renewable energy sources. The traditional sources of energy are based on exhaustible natural resources; therefore, the energy that is cleaner and sustainable for sustainable development of the world economy is a sine qua non. The economy of a country is measured with the consumption of energy per capita. Least developed and developing nations of Africa are hard pressed to increase their power generation and maximize other sources of energy. But due to their inherent limitations in terms of financial resources, lack of sophisticated technology, lack of sufficient foreign aid, and ever growing population, their energy needs are going to increase in times to come of financial institution to exploit the available sources for energy generation depend on that. This paper attempts to provide an overview and assess the situation in two selected African countries: Nigeria and Algeria. The paper identifies some barriers and explores the way forward in these countries for successful energy generation by all possible means