Niger Govt. restates commitment to renewable energy investment

By Aderogba George, NAN

Gov. Umar Bago of Niger has restated the state government’s commitment to invest in renewable energy to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and combat air pollution.

The governor stated this in Abuja on Wednesday at the International Symposium on Infrastructure, Climate Change and Investment in Africa.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme of the symposium is “Leveraging on green financing to address infrastructural, socio-economic, insecurity and investment challenges in Africa”.

Represented by Mr Yakubu-Mohammed Kolo, the Commissioner for Environment and Climate Change, Bago said that the state was gradually focusing on paradigm shift towards low-carbon economy.

According to him, the state government is also implementing sustainable agricultural practices to enhance food security and mitigate the effects of droughts and floods.

“As we gather here, we do so with a shared vision – a vision of a sustainable and prosperous Africa, one that thrives on eco-friendly development and contributes significantly to global efforts in promoting green economy and sustainability.

“Today, I have the privilege to shed light on the Niger State Green Economy Investment policy, a testament to Nigeria’s commitment to environmental stewardship and economic advancement.

“Niger State, like many regions across Africa, faces multifaceted challenges from infrastructure deficits to the adverse impacts of climate change. However, in the face of these challenges, Niger State has chosen a path of resilience and innovation.

“The Niger State Green Economy Investment policy is not merely a document; it is a roadmap towards a greener, more sustainable future.

“It outlines strategic initiatives aimed at fostering economic growth while preserving our natural resources and mitigating the impacts of climate change.

“At its core, this policy emphasizes the importance of leveraging green financing, an approach that aligns financial investments with environmental sustainability goals,” governor said.

Bago said that the state government sought to catalyse a paradigm shift towards a low-carbon economy by mobilising resources towards renewable energy projects, sustainable agriculture, and eco-friendly infrastructure.

According to him, these efforts have extended beyond mere rhetoric and that the government is committed to action by investing in renewable energy projects to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and combat air pollution.

He said that the state was prioritising the development of eco-friendly infrastructure to build resilient communities that could withstand the impacts of climate change.

The governor urged all stakeholders to join hands in advancing the collective agenda for a greener and more sustainable Africa.

Mr Moses Owharo, Chairman, Africa Infrastructure, Climate Change and Investment Summit (AICIS) 2024 Planning and Organising Committee, said that the most systemic threat to humankind remained climate change.

He said that Africa remained the worst hit with effect of climate change.

“The truth is that the most systemic threat to humankind remains climate change and I believe it is my duty to remind the whole of the international community. Africa remains the worst hit.

“Climate change is still moving faster, much faster than we are. What the world needs is a race to the top – with political will, financing and partnerships. And I remind you that we have what it takes to prevail.

“By 2050, Africa will account for over one quarter of the world’s population. Africa has the largest sources of renewable energy in the world. Africa has 65 per cent of the uncultivated arable land left to feed the world.

“The future of electric cars in the world depends on Africa because it has the largest sources of cobalt in the world, with massive sources of lithium in Zimbabwe, Namibia, Ghana, Mali, and Democratic Republic of Congo,” he said

Owharo said that the event was part of the pre-event activities for Africa Infrastructure, Climate Change and Investment Summit (AICIS) 2024 holding in Washington DC, USA.

Mr Okokon Etoabasi, Deputy Director, Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF), said that the earth as a planet where everyone lives faces a lot of environmental threat.

Etoabasi listed some of these threats to include atmospheric and marine pollution, global warming, ozone depletion, nuclear pollution and other hazardous substance.

According to him, the escalation of this climate variability in Nigeria like the irregular rainfall patterns has exacerbated land degradation, which has resulted in more severe floods and erosion.

“Nigeria has experienced a worsening of these environmental challenges. From 2009, flood had caused fathom destruction of infrastructure in both rural and urban areas of the country.

(NAN)