Yemi Olakitan
The Federal Government has been urged to stop giving coal mining licenses and switch to renewable energy by Charity Migwi, Africa Regional Campaigner for 350.Org.
At the 2022 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP27), Migwi stated that severe environmental degradation has resulted from coal mining activities.
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.
“The continuous coal mining in Nigeria has resulted in significant environmental deterioration, including soil, water, and air contamination, which continues to have a detrimental impact on community health.
Despite the nation being a signatory to the Paris Agreement, she noted,
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According to Migwi, 350.Org, the “Coal-Free Nigeria movement” ought to experience a fair transition to renewable energy due to the disastrous effects of fossil fuels.
The activist pointed out that Nigeria has sizable coal resources from the eastern to northern regions, with an estimated total weight of at least 2 billion metric tonnes.
She criticized various businesses for continuing their coal mining operations in the states of Kogi, Benue, and Gombe, among others, including Dangote, ETA Zuma, and Ashaka.
She voiced concern about gas making up a sizable portion of Nigeria’s recently unveiled Energy Transition Plan (ETP) when it comes to the country’s energy mix.
“Nigeria just unveiled its Energy Transition Plan, which regrettably includes gas in the mix of energies. This goes against the trend toward renewable energy.
“The government should instead concentrate on implementing the climate change act, which would require the government to make several measures to finally decrease the country’s reliance on the discovery of fossil fuels.
“Nigeria should be a beacon for other African states by pushing its efforts towards a swift, just transition towards embracing 100% renewable energy,” she added, noting that it has one of the largest economies in Africa.
