Abuja: Participants at the 2nd edition of the International African Energy, Oil and Gas Summit organised by African Peace Magazine Ltd have called for an end to gas flaring in Africa.
The call was made in a communique jointly issued at the end of the summit held in Angola by the Chairman and Editor-In-Chief of the magazine, Justice Suleman Galadima (rtd.) and Mr Noah Ajare.
A copy of the communique was made available to newsmen in Abuja on Friday.
The five-day event, which began on Nov. 30, ended on Dec. 4.
(L-R Mr. Msuega Tese of integrated Solutions Angola, Noah Ajare Editor in Chief of African Peace Magazine, Samiala Umar Permanent Secretary Department of Power Katsina State, Dr. Udochu Ogbonnaya Executive Director Green Energy International Ltd, Dr. Tolorunse Adebola Josep Legal Adviser, Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, Abdullahi Abubakar Matazu General Manager Katsina State Rural Electricity board , H.E. Professor Monique Oshame Ekpong (KSJI), the outgoing Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to the Republic of Angola, H.E Dr. Faruk Lawal Deputy Governor Katsina State, The Chairman of the APM, Hon Justice Suleiman Galadima JSC, OFR, CFR, His Royal Highness Sir, David Serena-Dokubo Spiff Ada IX, Paramount Ruler of Spiff Town, Bayelsa State, Abdulkarim Sa’id Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Prince Bar Olusegun Ilori Director Green Energy International Ltd, and Malado Ikechucku Esq.)
The attendees agreed that there is an urgent need to accelerate the transmission from fossil fuel to green energy.
They said that the reliance on fossil fuels has had adverse impacts on the environment, “while the world’s energy needs are growing.
“Like many other regions, Africa has the difficulty of striking a balance between environmental sustainability and energy needs.
“There are several requirements for a seamless energy transition.
“It includes the need to lessen the negative effects of climate change while promoting economic growth, ensuring energy security, and reducing carbon emissions.”
They said achieving these goals would require embracing renewable energy sources, including biomass, solar, wind, and hydro.
The communique observed that most African countries, rich in oil and gas like Nigeria and Angola, are yet to be able to eradicate poverty, thus the citizens are not benefitting maximally from the proceeds of the oil revenue.
It also observed that African economy is heavily reliant on oil and gas, and as such, there is an urgent need to diversify the economy.
The conference, therefore, resolved that sustained broad based economic growth and poverty reduction would be critical to Africa’s economic growth and stability.
“Specifically, the summit called on African states and governments to refocus efforts on infrastructure development, improve power generation, improve agricultural productivity, and expand jobs in rural areas.
“There should also be greater attention on youth employment through education and entrepreneurship skills training.
“The summit stressed the need for a smooth energy transition and the need to embrace artificial intelligence.
“The summit analysed the critical issue of security and its intertwined relationship with economic prosperity,” among others.
The summit also resolved that that all personnel and agencies responsible for preventing, controlling, and/or cleaning up oil spills in Africa should do more.
“They should be trained and to follow the standard operating procedure.
“Training should be conducted annually. All spills should be documented and maintained.
“This should involve the host communities, the companies and the government,” it said.
The event, which was attended by about 240 registered conferees, was declared open by the Deputy Governor of Luanda, Jorge Miguêns-Augusto representing the Governor of Luanda Province, Manuel Homem.
The keynote speaker was Professor Anthony Adegbulugbe, Chairman of Green Energy International Ltd (GEIL) and former Special Adviser on Energy Matters to former President Olusegun Obasanjo, represented by Prince (Barr.) Olusegun Ilori board member and director at GEIL.
Goodwill messages were received from President of the African Development Bank, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina; Gov. Dikko Umar Radda of Katsina State, represented by the Deputy Governor, Dr. Lawal Faruk, among others. (Flowerbudnews)
