By Taiye Agbaje
Stakeholders 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, retired Justice Suleman Galadima and Mr Noah Ajare.
A copy of the communiqué was made available to newsmen in Abuja on Friday.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the five-day event, which began on Nov. 30, ended on Dec. 4.
The attendees agreed that there was an urgent need to accelerate the transmission from fossil fuel to green energy.
They said that the reliance on fossil fuels had 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 communiqué also observed that most African countries, rich in oil and gas like Nigeria and Angola, were 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 was heavily reliant on oil and gas, and as such, there was an urgent need to diversify the economy.
The participants, therefore, resolved that sustained broad based economic growth and poverty reduction would be critical to Africa’s economic growth and stability.
It reads in part, “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 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.
NAN reports that 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 Prof. Anthony Adegbulugbe, Chairman of Green Energy International Ltd (GEIL) and former Special Adviser on Energy Matters to former President Olusegun Obasanjo, represented by Prince 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.(NAN)(www.nanmews.ng)
Edited by Isaac Aregbesola
