The Nigeria government has called for increased collaboration among Africans to effectively tackle the challenges of climate change bedevilling the continent.
President Muhammadu Buhari made the call in Abuja during a meeting of the African Union (AU) on the New Partnership for African Development (NEPAD).
The meeting was under the auspices of the 39th Session of the NEPAD Heads of State and Government Orientation Committee (HSGOC), at the margins of the 35th Ordinary Session of the African Union.
Represented by Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo at the meeting, which was held virtually, Mr Buhari said that the time has come for the continent of Africa to increase cooperation in the fight against climate change.
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He said the continent must effectively tackle the response to climate change and the zero-emissions targets set in Paris and at subsequent climate change meetings.
“We must of course contribute our quota in protecting the environment and preventing climate change, but we must also continue to build sustainable power systems to accelerate development and create economic opportunities for our people,” he said.
The president said that Africa needs far more energy than the renewable sources could immediately provide, adding that Africa cannot but adopt gas as a transition fuel.
“We must together make clear to the developed world that the current trend of withholding funds for investment in gas development is the wrong thing to do at this time” he noted.
Story was adapted from Premium Times.
