By George George Idowu
The Chairman, Association of Energy Correspondents of Nigeria (NAEC), Ugo Amadi has called on the Federal Government and relevant stakeholders in the energy sector, to create an enabling environment for gas development and innovation of Gas technologies in Africa.
Amadi made this call at the Africa Gas Innovation Summit (AGIS) 2024, held in Abuja, with the theme “Igniting the Future: Driving Sustainability in Africa’s Energy Landscape through Gas Technology and Innovation.”
ln its contribution at the conference NAEC as a body, said a lot can be achieved by creating policies that encourages investments, including collaboration which encourages adaptation to new technologies needed to help improve the economy.
Delivering a welcome address at the Technical session themed; Creating an Enabling Environment for Gas Technology Development and Innovation in Africa’, Amadi noted that the country is faced with numerous challenges but said addressing these challenges is crucial to achieving significant progress in the energy sector.
He said” We are not unmindful that Africa and Nigeria’s energy sector is facing several challenges, which include but not limited to Inadequate infrastructure, Lack of policy consistency, inconsistent Energy access, Insufficient incentives and regulatory hurdles that discourage private investment.
Other challenges according to Amadi include concerns about energy security, particularly in the face of rising demand and declining domestic production , inadequate funding for energy projects and programmes, weak institutional capacity, corruption, and political interference which hinder effective policy implementation.
“Therefore, addressing these challenges is crucial to developing a sustainable, efficient, and inclusive energy sector in Nigeria and Africa.
“The leadership of His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who doubles as Minister of Petroleum Resources, recently signed the Presidential Executive Orders on oil and gas in March this year, aimed at improving the efficiency and attractiveness of Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.
“However, stakeholders are still calling for a proper review of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021 in order to unlock Nigeria’s vast hydrocarbon potential, attract investment, and propel the nation towards greater economic success and shared prosperity.
“As an association, we are committed to advocating a just and equitable energy security for Nigeria and Africa as a whole. We are also dedicated to telling the gas story in the most compelling way possible and support the implementation of the Nigeria’s Decade of Gas Initiative.
The NAEC chairman stressed the need for the federal government to take more practical approaches to addressing the issues in the industry with the aim of creating a more sustainable energy future.
“We are calling on all stakeholders and government to ensure an enabling environment for gas technology development and innovation in Africa which requires a multi-faceted approach,” he said.