Kuffour, Others Seek End To Africa’s Energy Woes

Former Ghanaian President, John Kuffour has said that sustainable and renewable energy remain solutions to Africa’s  and indeed, Nigeria’s  over reliance on oil resource.
Kuffour was among the 12 panellists who spoke at the Energy and Investment Forum organised by the Rivers State Government tagged, “Sustainable Energy: The Key to Africa’s World Integration” held at the new Dr Obi Wali International Convention Centre yesterday in Port Harcourt.
The former Ghanaian president and other panellists made up of former President of Poland, Lech Walesa, former Prime Minister of France, Francois Fillion and that of Spain, Jose Zapatero, maintained that Nigeria and Africa must evolve modern energy source methods built on good governance and transparency.
In the words of Kuffour, “We can diversify our power supply, create more jobs and drive Africa to cleaner energy.”
He posited that it was high time Africa and Nigeria found ways to curb the negative effects of climate change by sourcing for alternative energy, warning that agricultural produce may be on the decline considering rising population.
In his view sustainable energy, “is a winner option”.
On the way out of the total reliance on oil energy, Kuffour proffered the need for the continent to team up with other countries by exploiting investment potentials adding that, “research will lead to investments and power shifts.”
In his submissions, former Prime Minister of Spain, Jose Zapatero advocated for better governance and accountability from African and Nigerian leaders.
He noted that while Nigeria democracy was going strong along with a booming economy, the time has come for the country to seek alternative energy sources since oil will not last forever.
Zapatero maintained that Africa and Nigeria’s future lie in education and renewable energy.
On his part, former Prime Minister of France, Francois Fillion, stressed the need to engage local people, stating that Africa is on the path of recovery.
Fillion also advocated for gender equality and constitutional governance as a way to solve the nation’s energy problems.
Former United States Assistant Secretary of State, James Phillip and member of the British Parliament, Hon. Eric Joyce, decried the threat of terrorism and called on Nigeria’s leaders to check the menace.
Joyce specifically highlighted the importance of infrastructure provision in order to attract investors capable of driving new energy source.
President of Energy Globe Foundation, Prof Edward Ayensu submitted that while China, USA and Europe were the highest contributors to climate change, Nigeria’s hydrocarbon emission still stands at 0.1 per cent.
He blamed Africa and Nigeria’s energy problems to over reliance on crude energy sources such as coal, firewood adding that with the enormous resources in the continent, “there shouldn’t have been poor people walking around.”
Ayensu further lamented that, “It’s a sad commentary on all of us that over 70 per cent of Africa don’t have access to power.”
Meanwhile, Rivers State Governor, Chibuike Amaechi has reiterated the commitment of his administration to provide uninterrupted power supply in the state by 2015.
“Our focus is to achieve uninterrupted power supply across the state in 2015,’’ Amaechi said, reasoning that, “Energy is the bond that connects economic, social and environmental development.”
In a bid to achieve this aim, he stated that the state government decided to initiate a new city in order to decongest Port Harcourt with adequate provision of sustainable energy.
He said, “the new city is designed with adequate consideration to the reduction of environmental impacts, minimization of energy consumption and destructive ecological footprints.”
He further stated that the vision of his government is to create an economy that is less dependent on oil but more on agriculture.

R-L. Former Prime Minister of Spain, Jose R. Zapatero, Special United Nation Envoy, Mohamed Ibn Chambas, Former Massachusetts Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs, Ian Bowles, Former President of Ghana, John Kufuor. Rivers State Governor, Rt Hon Chibuike Amaechi. MP. House of Commons, Eric Joyce, Former Prime Minister of France, Francois Charles Fillon, Former President of Poland, Lech Walesa. Consul General, People Republic of China. during the Energy Environment and Investment Forum Port Harcourt 2014 at the new Obi Wali International Conference Centre in Port Harcourt