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ECOWAS Expresses Commitment Towards Achieving West Africa’s Renewable Energy Target

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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

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Communal clash at illegal mining site leaves five injured in Zamfara

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Communal clash at illegal mining site leaves five injured in Zamfara

By: Zagazola Makama

A violent clash between residents of Boko and Jaya villages in Zurmi Local Government Area of Zamfara state has left at least five persons injured following a dispute at a stone mining site.

Sources said the incident occurred on April 20 at about 11:00 a.m. at the Kwanza Stone Mining Site, located between the two communities.

According to the sources, the clash began when members of both villages engaged in illegal mining activities at the site, leading to a disagreement that escalated into violence, with both sides allegedly using firearms.

The sources said the injured victims include Sha’aibu Adamu, 30; Shakiru Suleiman, 26; Kasu Boko, 27; Abdullahi Dahiru, 25; and Ibrahim Usman, 25, all from the affected communities.

They added that the exact number of persons killed could not be immediately confirmed at the time of filing the report.

A joint security team comprising troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA. police personnel and community protection guards was swiftly deployed to the area to restore order.

The injured victims were evacuated to the General Hospital in Kaura Namoda for medical treatment.

Security authorities said normalcy had since been restored in the area, while efforts were ongoing to identify and arrest those involved in the violence.

They also confirmed that investigation into the incident had commenced.

Communal clash at illegal mining site leaves five injured in Zamfara

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Security forces foil Kidnapping, flee after alarm in Gombe community

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Security forces foil Kidnapping, flee after alarm in Gombe community

By: Zagazola Makama

Armed men suspected to be kidnappers have attempted to abduct residents in Unguwan Yamma, Amada area of Akko Local Government Area of Gombe state.

Sources said the incident occurred at about 3:20 a.m. when the attackers stormed the residence of one Alhaji Muhammad Abba, who narrowly escaped the attack.

According to the sources, the assailants proceeded to a neighbouring house where they abducted a child after the mother raised alarm.

The sources said the kidnappers, however, abandoned the child and fled the scene following the commotion.

A divisional patrol team, alongside hunters and local vigilantes, was immediately mobilised to the area and is currently on the trail of the suspects.

Police authorities said investigation was ongoing, while efforts had been intensified to apprehend the fleeing attackers and prevent further incidents in the area.

Security forces foil Kidnapping, flee after alarm in Gombe community

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Troops engage armed bandits in heavy gun battle during raid on suspected hideout in Zamfara

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Troops engage armed bandits in heavy gun battle during raid on suspected hideout in Zamfara

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA have reportedly engaged armed bandits in a heavy gun battle during a clearance operation at Yankuzo area in Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara state.

Security sources said the operation followed aggressive fighting patrol on armed groups into the area, believed to be a stronghold used by suspected bandit elements operating within the axis.

According to the sources, troops advanced into deep into the terrorists enclave of Ado Allero in the early hours of the day and made contact with the armed men, leading to an exchange of fire that lasted for several minutes.

Residents reported heavy gunfire during the confrontation.

Although details of casualties were still being assessed at the time of filing this report, security sources confirmed that troops maintained dominance of the general area and continued pursuit of fleeing armed elements.

Troops engage armed bandits in heavy gun battle during raid on suspected hideout in Zamfara

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