Energy transition: Nigeria should benefit more from its gas reserves -- OSINBAJO
(Nigeria) The use of gas as a transition fuel would
not only help in stemming deforestation, it would also advance Nigeria's
broader development goals, especially because Nigeria has one of the largest
gas reserves in the world, according to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN.
The same would be true as other developing
countries would also benefit from the adoption of gas as a transition fuel.
Prof. Osinbajo stated this on Tuesday night
when he received at the Presidential Villa, the US Special Presidential Envoy
on Climate Change, Mr. John Kerry, who was on a working visit to Nigeria. Prior
to his meeting with the VP, Mr. Kerry had also met with President Muhammadu
Buhari.
Speaking at the meeting with Kerry and the
US delegation, the Vice President highlighted the need for Nigeria to continue
the exploration and use of gas as a way of arresting deforestation, transiting
away from dirtier fuels like diesel, kerosene and petrol, while at the same
time ensuring that the country has the necessary energy baseload for
industrialization.
Pointing out that Nigeria has one of the
largest gas reserves in the world and should benefit from its exploitation, the
VP also highlighted the significance of Nigeria’s Energy Transition Plan, which
is the first in Africa.
It would be recalled that Prof. Osinbajo
had discussed the Energy Transition Plan during his recent visit to Washington
D.C., where the VP met with his American counterpart, VP Kamala Harris at the
White House, among other top US government officials. Before the recent US
trip, the Federal Government had launched the Energy Transition Plan at a
global virtual event.
In addition to a review of the Energy
Transition Plan, including a discussion about its implementation, both the Vice
President and Mr Kerry also discussed the issues of renewable energy sources
and the global transition.
In his remarks, Mr. Kerry had high praises
for the plan and also for the efforts already being made in Nigeria to step up
the use of renewables, especially solar and hydropower, as major components of
the energy mix.
While acknowledging that Nigeria ought to
benefit from its gas reserves, Mr. Kerry urged an even more rapid adoption of
renewables, especially electric vehicles, which are certainly the next wave in
auto manufacturing. He observed that the technology of renewables keeps
improving daily adding that batteries are already in production which last far
more than those that are now in the market.
Upon a request by the Vice President, the
Special Envoy promised to assist Nigeria with the necessary expertise to
scientifically determine the most appropriate energy mix that will move the
country toward the goal of energy for all by 2030 and net zero carbon emissions
by 2060, without compromising the country’s energy security.
The US Special Envoy also affirmed the
readiness of the US Government to assist Nigeria in a bilateral partnership to
realize its Climate Change adaptation and resilience capacity, thereby
consolidating the nation’s place as a model for other countries on the planet.
He added that he looked forward to Nigeria
presenting an inspiring position, which will no doubt attract all necessary
global support at the upcoming COP 27 in Egypt later in the year.
Mr. Kerry who was accompanied by other US
officials including the American Ambassador to Nigeria, Ms Mary Beth Leonard,
praised the VP’s leadership in urging the global community towards a just
transition and coordinating Nigeria’s efforts on the climate change agenda.
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