Make renewable energy the energy by the people, and for the people.
Dr David Terungwa, Executive Director, Global Initiative for Food Security and Ecosystem Preservation (GIFSEP), a non-governmental organisation (NGO), made the call in an interview during the street March for Renewable Energy to mark the launch of REPower Afrika (#REPowerAfrika) campaign in Abuja, Nigeria, on Saturday, July 20, 2024.
He said that lack of electricity had led to a huge hindrance to economic development, thereby causing poverty and hardship especially in sub–Saharan Africa including Nigeria.
He said that renewable energy was replenished by nature and emits little to no greenhouse gases or pollutants into the air.
He said clean energy was a pathway to a healthy, liveable planet today and for generations to come and a key to a solution to mitigate climate change.
According to him, we need to re-power the continent. It is a community led solution to energising the continent of Africa using renewable energy.
“Renewable energy is very important because of the energy poverty that Africa is currently experiencing. Over six hundred and forty million Africans do not have access to power.
“This is about 4th per cent of the population and over ninety million Nigerians do not have access to reliable power, and we are blessed with renewable energy resources.
“Meanwhile, most of the critical minerals that are used for the development of renewable energy technologies such as solar, batteries among others, we have them.
He said that the organisation was formed with the aim of mobilising and empowering young people in promoting renewable energy adoption.
The executive director said that the mining sector should be reformed effectively, adding that the government should invest in the industry as Nigeria has immense potential to contribute significantly to the nation`s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
“We have abundant natural resources, but we must also be very careful about the dash for the transition minerals in our country. Mining activities must be done with global best practices.
“Involving international organisations will help to ensure that mining operations are done in a more sustainable and more resilient way in the country.
“Also, those communities where the resources are dwelling should as well benefit from these blessings that God has given to them, through efficient and effective operation.
“So, my advice is that as we transition into net zero low carbon there is a need to carry everyone along,’’ he said.
The executive director, however, called on the African government to power the continent using the available resources, adding that the effort would enhance economic development in Africa.
“Let’s make renewable energy, energy by the people, for the people,” he reiterated.
