CSOs Launch Energy Transition As Gas Flaring, Others Threaten Communities

A civil society organisation (CSO) committed to poverty and environmental risk reduction has expressed concerns over widespread gas flaring, methane emissions, environmental degradation and carbon pollution in the Niger Delta.

Towards this end, the Network Advancement Program for Poverty and Disaster Risk Reduction (NAPPDRR) has rallied global agencies including Global Greengrants Fund (GGF) and Oilwatch Africa (OA) in a multi – million dollar energy innovations project in Akwa Ibom oil communities.

Launching the scheme during a town hall meeting on community – led energy innovation at the Ntak Inyang Civic Centre, Esit Eket local government area of Akwa Ibom State at the weekend, the NAPPDRR executive director, Hon. Emem Edoho, explained that the intervention became necessary to mitigate the negative multiplier effects of fossil fuels on humans and the environment.

He said, “Nigeria’s energy landscape is complex, with significant reliance on fossil fuels. However the launch of the Nigeria Energy Transition Plan (NETP) in 2022, our country has committed to achieving net – zero emissions by 2060. This plan aims to tackle energy poverty and the climate crisis simultaneously, promoting renewal energy, improving energy access and enhancing energy efficiency.

“Here in Akwa Ibom State, we are committed to alligning our efforts with the State climate action plan. The NAPPDRR, is proud to contribute to this effort through our innovative climate action project, Green The Future (GTF). This project made possible with the generous support of Global Greengrants Fund and Oilwatch Africa focuses on mitigating the impacts of methane emissions and other greenhouse emissions in oil and gas host communities.

“The GTF project is a community – led initiative that empowers local communities to take ownership of their energy future. By promoting sustain energy solutions, improving energy efficiency, and supporting climate – resilient development, we can reduce the environmental and heath impacts of fossil fuel extraction and promote more sustainable future for all.”

In the same vein, the programme officer of NAPPDRR, Lady Helen Eyo, who spoke on; “Green the Future: Accelerating Decarbonisation and Community Resilience in the Hostcom Project”, explained that the initiative focused on the oil and gas host communities of the state.

“This project aims to foster a sustainable future for these communities by addressing the challenges posed by climate change and the need for energy transition, adding that it would mitigate the effects of decarbonisation and methane emissions reduction in the oil and gas sector.

“The community-led energy transition is expected to move the communities towards clean energy sources, promotion of clean energy technologies and agroecology training for local farmers to encourage sustainable agricultural practices

“In essence, the ‘Green the Future’ project aims to empower oil and gas host communities in Akwa Ibom State to transition towards a more sustainable and resilient future by mitigating the environmental impact of the oil industry, embracing clean energy, and fostering sustainable agricultural practices. This community-led approach seeks to ensure that the benefits of the energy transition are realized at the grassroots level, leading to improved livelihoods,” she stressed.

The commissioner for Environment and Mineral Resources, Hon. Nsikak Ekong, represented by the Director, Petroleum Resources Directorate, Engr. Anietie Emah, the Head of Government and Community Relations at Frontier Oil Ltd, Mr Samuel Atara, and other participants commended the NAPPDRR for the initiative and expressed their support for the project, even as they stressed the need for such an initiative to be launched across all the affected communities.

The chairman of Esit Eket LGA, Hon. Uduak Ikemesit Ikot, who was represented by the Supervisor for Environment, Hon. Ime Jonah, applauded the commitment of non-state actors in promoting energy innovations to free the environment of pollution and other irritants, which in turn resulted in maternal and Infant mortalities in the oil communities.

Papers from resources persons drawn from other Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs) including Mfon Gabriel, Executive Director, Centre for Advocacy, Good Governance and Ecological Response (CGGER) and Edidiong Dickson, of Policy Alert (PA) and others, painted a gloomy picture of oil commodities devastated by gas pollution, methane emissions and oil spill in Niger Delta region, and called for a holistic action plan to mitigate the scourge.