Stakeholders seek end to gas flaring in Africa 

by · The Eagle Online

Participants at the second edition of the International African Energy, Oil and Gas Summit organised by African Peace Magazine Limited have called for an end to gas flaring in Africa.

The call  for an end to the practice was made in a communique issued at the end of the summit.

The communique of the summit held in Angola was endorsed by the Chairman and Editor-In-Chief of the magazine, Justice Suleman Galadima (retd.), and Noah Ajare.

A copy of the communique was made available to newsmen in Abuja on Friday.

The five-day event, which began on November 30, 2023, ended on December 4, 2023.

The attendees agreed that there is an urgent need to accelerate the transmission from fossil fuel to green energy.

They said the reliance on fossil fuels has had adverse impacts on the environment, “while the world’s energy needs are growing. 

“Like many other regions, Africa has the difficulty of striking a balance between environmental sustainability and energy needs. 

“There are several requirements for a seamless energy transition. 

“It includes the need to lessen the negative effects of climate change while promoting economic growth, ensuring energy security, and reducing carbon emissions.”

They said achieving these goals would require embracing renewable energy sources, including biomass, solar, wind and hydro.

The communique observed that most African countries, rich in oil and gas like Nigeria and Angola, are yet to be able to eradicate poverty, thus the citizens are not benefitting maximally from the proceeds of the oil revenue.

It also observed that the African economy is heavily reliant on oil and gas and, as such, there is an urgent need to diversify the economy.

The conference, therefore, resolved that sustained broad based economic growth and poverty reduction would be critical to Africa’s economic growth and stability.

The communique said: “Specifically, the summit called on African states and governments to refocus efforts on infrastructure development, improve power generation, improve agricultural productivity, and expand jobs in rural areas.

“There should also be greater attention on youth employment through education and entrepreneurship skills training.

“The summit stressed the need for a smooth energy transition and the need to embrace artificial intelligence.

“The summit analysed the critical issue of security and its intertwined relationship with economic prosperity.”

The summit also resolved that all personnel and agencies responsible for preventing, controlling, and/or cleaning up oil spills in Africa should do more.

It added: “They should be trained and to follow the standard operating procedure. 

“Training should be conducted annually. All spills should be documented and maintained. 

“This should involve the host communities, the companies and the government.”

The event, which was attended by about 240 registered conferees, was declared open by the Deputy Governor of Luanda, Jorge Miguêns-Augusto, representing the Governor of Luanda Province, Manuel Homem. 

The Keynote Speaker was Professor Anthony Adegbulugbe, Chairman of Green Energy International Limited and former Special Adviser on Energy Matters to former President Olusegun Obasanjo, represented by Prince Olusegun Ilori, a Board Member and Director at GEIL.

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Goodwill messages were received from the President of the African Development Bank, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina; and Governor Dikko Umar Radda of Katsina State, represented by the Deputy Governor, Dr. Lawal Faruk, among others.