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ECOWAS Expresses Commitment Towards Achieving West Africa’s Renewable Energy Target
ECOWAS Expresses Commitment Towards Achieving West Africa’s Renewable Energy Target
By: Michael Mike
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has expressed its commitment to putting in place needed infrastructure that would ensure that the regional renewable energy target is achieved.
Speaking at the capacity building workshop for private sector actors on green hydrogen, the regional body said its plan is to produce 0.5 million of tonnes of green hydrogen per year by 2030.
The Regional Coordinator for Renewable Energy and Green Hydrogen at West African Science Service Centre on Climate Change and Adapted Land Use (WASCAL), Dr Bruno Korgo, noted that the region has huge potentials in terms of renewable energy like solar, wind, hydrogen and so on.
Korgo said that this potential constitute a good basis to go for green hydrogen production because it is considered as the vector for decarbonising a lot of sectors across the world.
He said: “In the West African Green Hydrogen Policy, the target is for West African region to be able to produce by 2030, 0.5 million of tonnes of green hydrogen per year and by 2050, 10 million tonnes per year. This policy has been adopted by our heads of states.
“But the ministries of energies have to work to make it happen and that is why we are partnering with government and private sector to join hands so that we may reach out goal.
“This unique energy is today perceived as the energy of the future. The opportunity to produce, use and export green hydrogen to other demand centres appear like an opportunity for West Africa region to start now to think about green hydrogen to harness its potentials and also capture the future energy market that is coming with regard to green hydrogen demand.”
The Assistant Director in Nigeria’s Ministry of Power, Temitope Dina, said the Federal Government is ready to harness the immense potentials in green hydrogen to drive economic growth, energy security and environmentally sustainable West Africa.
Dina said this target has been marked by dedication, collaboration and a clear understanding of the pivotal role green hydrogen will play in the energy future.
“Green Hydrogen stands at the forefront of global transition to clean energy. It offers the promise of reducing carbon emission, diversifying our energy source and also fostering innovation.
“In our region, with its abundant renewable energy resource, green hydrogen could be a game changer. This could simulate our local economy, industries, create jobs and provide significant boost to our economies across West Africa.
“This workshop represents a critical opportunity for us to deepen our understanding of the green hydrogen technology, explore best practices and build the partnership necessary for the successful implementation of the green hydrogen policy and strategies.”
On his part, the Executive Vice Chairman of SIDIL Energy Alternatives Limited, Alhassan Dantata, said green hydrogen is the last option of the globe to transit to clean energy.
Dantata said Africa must play its role in achieving this milestone, stressing that: “Africa played different roles in the three past industrial revolutions, the role we played was that we were the catalyse because men and women were enslaved and our raw materials were taken away to develop other parts of the world, adding that: “But the beautiful part of this energy we are discussing about is that this is something you have to have your foot on the ground because Africa now has what you can’t take away. We have the wind, the sun and we have the water and you can’t take that away.
“We have the sun 365 days in a year. We have the wind because coming from the Sahara, we have the northeast trade winds that always keep the wind mines on 24/7 and so we got no excuse. We should be the frontrunners in green hydrogen.
“Africa should be about to export power through submarine cables just like we are importing bandwaves from Europe. We should be giving them power because we have the sun, the wind and the water.
“It is just our will. Do we have the political will, the right mindset and can we collaborate to make it happen. From what I have observed over a period of three to four years, the killer effect in Africa is just two, tribalism and religion. If we can overcome that Africa will be great.”
The two-day workshop ends on Friday in Lagos.
ECOWAS Expresses Commitment Towards Achieving West Africa’s Renewable Energy Target
Bandits kill two, abduct woman in Chikun, Kaduna
By: Zagazola Makama
Suspected bandits have killed two persons, injured one and abducted a woman during an attack on Rimi Kamazo community in Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
Zagazola report that the incident occurred on Dec. 28 at about 11:50 a.m. when an unspecified number of armed bandits invaded the community, firing sporadically and causing panic among residents.
Victims of the attack were identified as Zainab Amos Bagoro, 55, and Aminu Amos Bagoro, 25, who were shot and fatally injured. Another victim, Gayus Amos Bagoro, sustained gunshot injuries and is currently receiving treatment.
The attackers also abducted Justina Abednego, 25, and took her to an unknown destination.
Sources said security operatives received information about the attack at about 2:00 a.m. on Dec. 29 and immediately mobilised to the area in collaboration with other security agencies.
The injured victims were rushed to hospital for medical attention, where the two critically injured persons were confirmed dead, while the surviving victim is receiving treatment at St. Gerald Hospital, Kakuri, Kaduna.
The corpses of the deceased were deposited at the hospital morgue for autopsy.
Security forces have intensified efforts to rescue the abducted woman and track down the perpetrators, while investigations into the incident have commenced.
Bandits kill two, abduct woman in Chikun, Kaduna
Mob sets NSCDC office ablaze, kills three suspects in Kano
By: Zagazola Makama
Atleast three suspected motorcycle thieves were killed by a mob while the office of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) was raised in Dawakin Kudu Local Government Area of the state.
Zagazola Makama learnt that the incident occurred at about 9:00 p.m. on Dec. 28 at the Danmaje Quarters Divisional Office of the NSCDC in Dawakin Kudu.
According to sources , personnel of the NSCDC attached to the office had earlier arrested three suspects over alleged motorcycle theft.
The source said that following the arrest, angry youths armed with dangerous weapons mobilised in large numbers and stormed the NSCDC office, demanding that the suspects be released to them for lynching.
“They overpowered the NSCDC personnel, chased them out of the office and set both the office and the suspects ablaze,” the source said.
Sources said the scene was later visited by security operatives, while the victims were rushed to the Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, where they were certified dead by medical personnel.
The corpses were subsequently deposited at the hospital’s morgue.
Mob sets NSCDC office ablaze, kills three suspects in Kano
NESREA Shuts Sunseed Oil Facility in Zaria Over Air Pollution Violations
By: Michael Mike
The National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) has ordered the closure of the Sunseed Oil processing plant in Zaria, Kaduna State, following findings of severe air pollution linked to the facility’s operations.
NESREA said the action was taken after investigations confirmed that the plant was emitting harmful pollutants into the atmosphere in breach of the National Environmental (Air Quality Control) Regulations.
The regulations require industries to install effective pollution control systems and adopt cleaner production methods to minimize environmental and health risks.
A statement by the agency’s spokesperson, Nwamaka Ejiofor on Tuesday, said the level of emissions from the Sunseed Oil facility posed a direct threat to the surrounding environment and residents in nearby communities, prompting immediate intervention to halt further damage.
She noted that the enforcement exercise reflects the agency’s resolve to ensure that industrial operators comply with environmental standards and to protect the public from the dangers associated with uncontrolled industrial emissions and effluents.
Commenting on the development, the Director-General of NESREA, Prof. Innocent Barikor, warned companies operating across the country to adhere strictly to national environmental laws.
He stressed that the agency would continue to take decisive action against facilities whose operations endanger public health or degrade the environment.
NESREA reiterated its commitment to regular monitoring and enforcement, noting that environmental protection remains a critical component of sustainable development in Nigeria.
NESREA Shuts Sunseed Oil Facility in Zaria Over Air Pollution Violations
Bandits kill two, abduct woman in Chikun, Kaduna
Mob sets NSCDC office ablaze, kills three suspects in Kano
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