• Moves to reactivate abandoned energy source heightens as bill for Coal Commission progresses in NASS
From Magnus Eze, Enugu
• File photograph of Coal mining
Indications have emerged that the abandoned coal deposits in Enugu State may be reactivated, just as Nigeria explores alternative sources of energy.
• Atu
The journey to revive the moribund coal industry has received a big leap. This is because a bill seeking to establish the Nigerian Coal Development Commission (NCDC) passed the second reading in the House of Representatives.
The bill, initiated by the member representing Enugu North/Enugu South Federal Constituency in the National Assembly, Chimaobi Atu, aims to repeal the Nigerian Coal Corporation Act and enact the NCDC Act to revive the country’s abandoned coal industry.
During the debate on the general principles of the bill, Atu emphasised the urgent need to revive the coal industry in Nigeria to cater for the shortfall in energy sources needed for industrial purposes. He also highlighted the need to provide more effective management in the nation’s coal industry, as the old law had become outdated.
The Nigerian Coal Corporation Act was enacted in 1950 to provide for the establishment of the Nigerian Coal Corporation and the transfer of all colliery undertakings of the government to the corporation. However, the corporation became moribund over time.
The NCDC, once established, will be responsible for coordinating all activities connected with mining, exploration, development, and utilisation of coal in Nigeria. The commission will also explore the use of coal in the production of solar cells and other products and ensure sufficient production of coal for the generation of electricity and steel development.
Recent studies have shown that Enugu, Kogi, and Benue states have an estimated 2.8 billion metric tons of coal deposits made of bituminous coal, which is highly needed in the iron and steel industry.
Atu acknowledged the climate change issues surrounding coal mining but assured Nigerians and the world that all environmental and health concerns would be addressed in the bill. He emphasised that the economic survival of the country was key and that the focus would be on electricity generation and supporting the country’s industries.
The bill will likely be passed into law in the near future, and would pave the way for the revival of the nation’s coal industry and contribute to the country’s energy needs and economic growth.
Atu’s initiative on the heels of the recent strides by Geometric, Prof. Barth Nnaji’s company, which successfully built a power plant in Aba, Abia State commercial hub, has been heartwarming to many especially in the South East.
Immediate past Director General of Voice of Nigeria (VON), Chief Osita Okechukwu, praised President Bola Tinubu following the South East Business Roundtable for Light-up Nigeria Project held in Enugu February 26, by the Niger Delta Power Holding Company Limited (NDPHC) for its partners.
Okechukwu who applauded Tinubu’s desire to return the South East as Nigeria’s industrial powerhouse with the Light-up Nigeria project, however, appealed to the president to erase the age long culture of impunity stereotype and engrave, at least one lasting legacy either by unbundling the Enugu Coal deposit for coal fired power plant, or by investing huge in gas pipeline in the region.
In addition, he called for the upgrade of Eastern Corridor rail line to standard gauge like the Western Corridor.
The Light up Nigeria Project Roundtable chaired by the Vice President, Kashim Shettima, was to launch an initiative to ensure dedicated power supply to industrial clusters across the country, with South East as a major hub.
The issue of power has been of big concern to Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide. President General of the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, reiterated the resolve of his leadership to pursue programmes that will transform the Igbo territory into an economic hub capable of attracting businesses from all parts of the world.
He said the policy framework spans the reactivation of cement industry at Nkalagu, reactivation of coal industry at Enugu; power, and the likes: “Poor electricity power supply is a source of major worry in Igboland. We are happy that the National Assembly has removed electricity generation, transmission and distribution from the Exclusive List to Concurrent List. We will support and encourage our business men to engage in power generation, transmission and distribution:
“For this purpose, the use of coal for power generation needs to be revisited. I commissioned a study on the quality of Nigerian coal deposit in Enugu. The report is very impressive. Many parts of the world use coal and my investigation reveals that the quality of Nigerian coal in Enugu is superior to the coal mined from many other parts of the World.
“We have abundance of coal in Igbo land. Our coal is one of the best you can find in the whole world so we can generate our power.”
Former chairman, Enugu Capital Territory Development Authority (ECTDA), Dr. Josef Onoh, lamented: “The only major mining activity which is coal has been abandoned for years after Eagle Mining Company left in the 90s and the Federal Government never showed any interest again.”
Nigeria established the Nigerian Coal Corporation (NCC) in 1950 to bring coal mining operations under one umbrella. Naturally, Enugu became the headquarters of the corporation. Although it enjoyed a period of boom, the discovery of oil and poor management after the war led to the decline of coal production. Further efforts to save the Nigerian coal began in 1999 when government attempted to privatise the corporation. It corporation folded up in 2002.