Africa-Press – Nigeria. The International Human Rights Commission–Relief Fund Trust (IHRC) has criticised the Federal Government’s plan to power the Presidential Villa with solar energy, stating that the move suggests a lack of confidence in Nigeria’s electricity system.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by its Country Director in Nigeria, Abdullahi Bakoji Adamu, the group said that while the adoption of solar energy is not inherently problematic, the decision raises serious concerns about leadership responsibility and the message it sends to citizens.
“The issue is not the adoption of solar energy itself, but the implication that those in leadership no longer have confidence in the national electricity system, one which they are duty-bound to fix for the benefit of all Nigerians,” the statement said.
The group warned that such a move could undermine public trust, particularly if the seat of power appears to distance itself from the same electricity system used by ordinary Nigerians.
“If the seat of power itself withdraws from the same system used by the people, it risks deepening inequality and undermining confidence in efforts to reform the sector,” it added.
The IHRC also stated that the decision runs contrary to the spirit of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), which places a responsibility on the government to ensure the welfare and well-being of citizens, including access to basic infrastructure such as electricity.
It further referenced global standards, noting that under the United Nations framework and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, governments are expected to provide conditions that support a decent standard of living.
“In today’s world, access to reliable electricity is a fundamental component of that standard,” the statement noted.
IHRC therefore called on the Federal Government to focus on fixing and strengthening the national power system rather than bypassing it.
“We call on the Federal Government to refocus its efforts on fixing and strengthening the national electricity system for the benefit of all Nigerians, rather than bypassing it,” the statement added.
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