Tochi Okereke
Experts have harped on the provision of clean energy for all citizens, irrespective of location, as the surest bet for a successful global energy transition and the fight against climate change.
The assertion was made at a panel discussion on ‘Operationalising a Clean Energy Transition for Sustainable Development of Africa’ at the 45th Nigeria Annual International Conference and Exhibition, NAICE, held in Lagos.
Managing Director, Neconde Energy Limited, Monday Okoro, alongside Seplat CEO, Roger Brown, represented by Effiong Okon, New Energies Director, Seplat Energy; Osayonde Igiehon, MD/CEO, Heirs Oil & Gas ltd; Mike Sangster, MD TotalEnergies E&P Nigeria Limited, represented by Victor Bandele, DMD, Deepwater, TotalEnergies, during the discussion, said that both authorities and players in the energy sector should work on meeting the huge energy demands of the citizenry to ensure sustainable development that would move the majority of the populace out of poverty through access to clean energy.
The NAICE was put together by the Society of Petroleum Engineers, SPE Nigeria Council, with the theme, “Global Transition to Renewable and Sustainable Energy and the Future of Oil and Gas in Africa.’’
While speaking; Neconde’s Okoro added ‘’Nigeria should focus on utilising the gas being produced locally to develop the country, instead of exporting it overseas as the local usage of available gas will accelerate access to cleaner energy, needed to power sustainable development.’’
When asked what success would be like in localising the energy transition, Okoro, a former Vice President of Schlumberger, explained that ‘’shipping gas to Europe is not success, as we should use it at home to reduce carbon emission in the country and prioritise our economic development.’
‘’Gas can be used to generate power, so people can to stop using diesel generators that have higher carbon emissions. If we channel our energy towards the development of the economy, It will also lead to more job opportunities for a sustainable economy,’’ he asserted.
Others on the panel discussion were: Philip Mshelbila, MD/CEO NLNG, represented by Adeleye Falade, GM Production, NLNG; Henry Menkiti, COO, Sahara Energy, represented by Mariah Lucciano-Gabriel, GM, Asharami; and Justin Ezeala, MD, Nigerian Gas Marketing Company, represented by Chudi Okocha, GM Commercial.
The panelists all agreed that sustainable development of the country by bridging the existing energy gap and using the available resources should be the focus of the Government and players in the sector, while advocating that cleaner fossil fuel should be allowed to develop the African continent, like was used in Europe.
