A regional activist with an international environmental organization, 350.Org Charity Migwi has urged the Federal Government of Nigeria to cease giving coal mining licenses and switch to renewable energy sources.
Migwi was quoted in Sharm el-Sheikh Egypt, on the sidelines of the 2022 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP27) as saying that substantial environmental devastation had resulted from Nigeria’s coal mining operations.
She asserted that Nigeria, a signatory to the Paris Agreement, ought to do more to switch from fossil fuels to renewable energy, particularly given its detrimental effects.
In her words, “The ongoing coal mining in Nigeria has led to extensive environmental degradation, including the contamination of air, water, and soil which continues to negatively affect the health of local communities.
“This is despite the country being party to the Paris Agreement.”
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According to Migwi, 350.Org started the “Coal-Free Nigeria” movement in order to have a just transition to renewable energy due to the disastrous effects of fossil fuels.
The activist pointed out that Nigeria is thought to have enormous coal resources, totalling at least two billion metric tons, from the country’s eastern to northern regions.
She berated businesses such as Dangote, ETA Zuma, and Ashaka for continuing their coal mining operations in Kogi, Benue, and Gombe States, among others.
Concerning Nigeria’s newly unveiled Energy Transition Plan, she raised concern that gas will make up a sizable portion of the country’s energy mix.
She said: “Recently, Nigeria launched its Energy Transition Plan, which sadly includes gas in the energy mix. This is contrary to a shift in renewables.
“The government should instead focus on implementing the climate change act, which would mean the government would need to put in diverse efforts to ultimately reduce fossil fuel exploration in the country.
“Nigeria being one of the largest economies in Africa, should be a beacon for other African states by accelerating its plans towards a rapid, just transition towards embracing 100% renewable energy.”
It was learned that at COP 27, 350. Org is one of several civil society organizations speaking out against the continued exploitation of fossil fuels in Africa and in favour of a just transition to renewable energy.
Story was adapted from Punch.
