By Chigozie Uzosike
Stakeholders have called for increased inclusion and public participation in social economic development policies and programs towards the transition from fossil fuel to renewable energy.
The call was made at a One day Stakeholders Roundtable meeting held in Owerri Imo State on the latest findings of the research, ‘Energy transition in Nigeria’s oil-rich communities’ organised by Spaces for Change (S4C), a non-profit organisation.
The Legal Officer Chetachi Louis-Udeh, representing the Executive Director S4C Victoria Ibezim- Ohaeri, gave insights into the essence of the meeting which was to share the outcome of the findings for possible inputs from key stakeholders in the extractive industry, stressed the need for government and corporate entities for inclusion of all the important national discourse and always ensure a human rights approach at the heart of their decision-making.
She said that given the devastating effects of fossil fuel exploration, there was need to transit gradually to green economy with the introduction of gas as renewable energy source, adding that the Energy Transition Plan (ETP) has projected 2060 to achieve the feat in Nigeria.
A thorough perusal of the ETP showed that the perspectives of communities where oil explorations had gone on for decades were not put into consideration. It would be a just transition when the communities who bear the brunt of the devastation arising from the activities of International Oil Companies (IOCs) are included and given opportunity to share their perspectives on the plan.
She said following the Nigerian government’s unveiling of Energy Transition Plan ETP at COP 26 and announcing Nigeria’s commitment to carbon neutrality by 2060, Spaces for Change in collaboration with partners Extractive 360 (E360) and Youth & Environmental Advocacy Center (YEAC) supported by Africa Center for Energy Policy (ACEP), conducted a research on what energy transition means for dwellers in three oil-rich States in Niger Delta Region including Imo State.
In his presentation of the findings of the report, the Program Officer Energy and Extractives of Spaces for Change, Bonaventure Akuma, noted that the Nigeria’s Energy Transition Plan is silent on communities as they were not consulted for their inputs, adding that they needed an enforceable contract, justice, compensation and remediation on the already battered environment caused by the oil exploration, and alternative livelihood provided for them. He, according to the report regretted that the government change commitment to renewable energy is running in contrast with the plan for environmental justice, while saying that every stakeholders must come to the table to achieve a just transition for all.
Reacting to the research presentation, members of the civil society organizations, participants from the academia, government representatives, private business owners stated that there’s need to continue to create more awareness around the issue so that it can gain public acceptance, stressing that communities should be carried along with the plan.
Also a representative from oil producing communities in Ohaji/Egbema and Oguta local government area of Imo State, noted that the transition to renewable energy is good but the communities have to be considered in the framework for effective implementation.
