Police Launch Green Initiative, Target 5,000 Solar Installation Locations

Federal government has launched the Nigeria Police Force Green Initiative with the target of setting up 5,000 solar installations across different locations.

At yesterday’s event in Abuja, President Bola Tinubu said, “We welcome this initiative by the Nigeria Police Force because the connection between climate change and security is a price we have paid enough. Therefore, we are going to throw our weight behind its success. We have a committee for the Carbon Market Activation Plan, which positions Nigeria at the forefront of creating a robust, sustainable carbon market worth $2.5 billion.”

This is even as the inspector-general of police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun said, “The Nigeria Police Force is targeting 5,000 Solar installation locations; 38 MW Solar power generation; 840 Electric vehicle deployment; 790 Hybrid Gas / Fuel Motorcycles Project Support; 114 Electric Vehicle Charging Solutions; 38 Gas Refill Locations; 1 million Tree Planting by 2030 and 175 Community Engagement Project.”

The IGP stated that “the Nigeria Police Green Initiative (NPGI) is a sustainable development programme aimed at engaging green innovative solutions to boost the operational efficiency and the capacity of the Nigeria Police Force to fight crime and maintain law and order in Nigeria.

“We have designed a robust framework for implementing the NPGI with the overall objective of achieving energy transition in the medium term. The core enabler of this initiative is the adoption of renewable energy as a priority and default energy source by the Nigeria Police Force. This will necessitate the retrofitting of our police stations, police posts, police colleges, and police barracks with renewable energy applications, as well as adopting the use of electric and gas-conversion vehicles in the police fleet.”

On the importance of the programme, Tinubu, who was represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima at the event, said, “There is no part of the world that can claim to live in denial of the realities of climate change today. The consequences are everywhere, from our unstable weather conditions to our water bodies and the yields of our farms. No person or place is spared from this threat to our ecosystem, and this must spur each person and organisation to join in the implementation of solutions. I, therefore, am delighted by this measure taken by a distinguished institution such as the Nigeria Police Force.

“Nigeria has been at the forefront of the global search for solutions to the devastations of climate change. We have always known that we cannot reach the target of aligning with international climate goals and reducing greenhouse gas emissions unless each person and stakeholder lives up to their obligation. This is our promise to the world at the COP 28 conference in Dubai last year. Alongside other nations, we reiterated the urgent need for global cooperation to implement solutions that can stop and reverse the effects of climate change.

“The Climate Change Act 2021, which sets out to achieve low greenhouse gas emissions, green, and sustainable growth, and sets a target for reaching net zero, is a cornerstone of our efforts. The Energy Transition Plan (ETP) promises to achieve net zero emissions by 2060. Our National Climate Change Policy (NCCP), Debt-for-Climate Action Swaps, and Renewable Energy Targets are some of the interventions in place to fast-track our solutions, whether through adjustments or financing our transition towards a low-carbon economy.”

He also noted that the presidency has established a Presidential Committee on Climate Action and Green Economic Solutions to coordinate and oversee all policies and programmes on climate action and green economic development, noting that “the Nigeria Police Green Initiative, therefore, emphasizes our bid to prioritise innovation and partnerships as fundamental drivers for the nation’s transition to a green economy.

This is an opportunity for you to transition your institution’s facilities to renewable energy sources and promote environmental awareness and education. As a strategic collaboration with NEA Energies Limited, a private sector entity, I believe this initiative will further facilitate local and international investments in green infrastructure, engaging communities, and building local capacity in green technology across the nation.”