Prepare for Post Petroleum Economy, Invest in Solar Energy, ERA/FoRN Urges Federal Govt.

By Lucky Isibor.

The Environmental Rights Action/ Friends of the Earth Nigeria (ERA/FoEN) has called on the Nigerian Government and other African countries to start investing in renewable energy sources so as to catch up with the rest of the world in the ongoing global movement from dirty energy to clean energy.

ERA/FoEN stated that time was running out against African countries as it is lagging behind the rest of the world by their slow approaches to accepting and investing in solar energy.

The Executive Director of ERA/FoEN, Dr. Godwin Uyi Ojo gave this warning in a keynote address on "Transitional Justice and Nigeria Beyond Oil" during a 2-day conference on "Climate Justice" held August 9-11, 2021 in Port Harcourt. 

While stressing the need for African countries, particularly Nigeria to divest funds from fossil fuels to renewable energy, Dr. Ojo noted that as other countries are making comprehensive plans to transit from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources and cleaner technologies by the year 2030 in line with the Paris Agreement of 2015, Nigeria was still neck deep in seeking investments for oil prospecting.

According to him, "by 2025, some European countries have committed to end production of petrol-diesel cars and fully embrace renewable energy. Already, there are trade-in schemes to get rid of petrol- diesel cars in place of the emerging and fast spreading electric cars in developed countries.

"In Africa, there is the genuine fear of energy colonialism if all the disused and obsolete energy systems and petrol engines and vehicles are shipped to Africa as Greek gifts or even for sale.

This means that the third world countries would be a dumping ground which will have serious impact on the environment, health and general well being of the people.

"How will Africa react to this pending crisis waiting to happen and how will the rich countries respond to this during the COP 26 coming up in Glasgow later in the year?", he asked.

The Executive Director of ERA/ FoEN also called for the payment of ecological debts to compensate for Nigeria's stranded assets.

“Transitional justice requires that rich countries pay ecological debts to compensate for Nigeria’s stranded assets such as oil and gas reserves, account for the historical carbon emissions released into the atmosphere and address loss and damage for fairness and equity including payment of compensation to victims of climate change”. 

While reasoning that Nigeria beyond oil is very feasible with several benefits accruable to the country, the Executive Director of ERA/FoEN noted that his organization and its allies including civil society groups, community-based organizations, community representatives across Nigeria have recognized the urgent need for energy transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy.

He, however, expressed displeasure over the slow migration from dependence on fossils by the federal government which is still neck deep in seeking investments for oil prospecting, especially in the Gongola/ Chad Basins and has committed billions of dollars to the expansion of Nigeria’s oil and gas reserves. This shows that Nigeria is not ready for a post petroleum economy, he added.

Dr. Ojo insisted that the disadvantages of fossil fuels are far greater than their advantages whereas solar energy has all round advantages without any dangerous impact on the users and the environment.

 “The divestment of public finance, loans and subsidies from fossil fuels and investing them on renewable energy development and development of cleaner technologies offers the opportunity for a post petroleum Nigeria,” Ojo said.