With the successful conclusion of the 27th United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP27) with the theme ‘deliver for people and planet’, one message resonates around the world: climate promises must go accompanied by actions. The event, labeled the Africa COP, served as an opportunity to show what countries are doing to safeguard the planet, and Africa was not left out.
Oando Clean Energy (OCEL), the renewable energy subsidiary of Oando PLC, and part of the Nigerian delegation to COP27, hosted two side events at the Nigerian Pavilion.
The first side event with the theme ‘Decarbonisation of an oil-rich region: a case for the Niger Delta’ was held in collaboration with the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, the National Council on Climate Change, REAN and Stratus Limited. The event was attended by a diverse audience of funders, partners, government officials and NGOs. Engineer John O. Agada, Director of Environmental Management, delivered the welcome address on behalf of the Honorable Minister of State, Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, Chief Sharon Ikeazor, while Mr. Ademola Ogunbanjo, Executive Vice President, OCEL , gave a presentation on OCEL’s sustainable transport initiative focused specifically on decarbonizing the Niger Delta region.
Discussions on the role of PPPs, climate finance and an enabling business environment intensified at the second OCEL side event, themed “Achieving Nigeria’s Net Zero Target: A Public-Private Partnership”. The event organized in association with the Federal Ministry of the Environment, among others, showcased the company’s pipeline projects to help Nigeria meet the commitment made by President Muhammadu Buhari GCFR at COP26 to reach net zero by 2060 .
Additionally, Mr. Ogunbajo explained how the company’s strategic approach is aligned with the Nigerian Energy Transition Plan (NETP). Specifically, him supporting the government’s roadmap for EV rollout in Nigeria and its ambition to increase local capacity in the medium term by building an EV manufacturing and assembly plant. He noted that “This is not the age of competition; it is the age of collaboration. We must collaborate, not only between the government and the public sector, but also within the private sector, if we want to advance the country’s net-zero agenda.”
OCEL Chairman and CEO Dr. Ainojie Irune participated as a panelist along with Kogi State Environment Commissioner Mr. Omofaiye Victor Adewale and Managing Director/CEO of Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading (NBET ), Dr. Nnaemeka. Ewelukwa. On the panel, Dr. Irune spoke about how the company’s sustainable transportation strategy is a launching pad that will create the impetus for private users to begin migrating to electric vehicles and eventually lead to economies of scale across the globe. country. He further explained that the future would see a more diverse and dynamic energy mix, less reliance on oil, and a greater focus on creating net-zero opportunities using gas and more sustainable energy sources.
In addition, the pioneering Director General of the National Council on Climate Change (NCCC), Dr. Salisu Dahiru, gave a closing address speaking about the importance of OCEL pipeline projects. He spoke about the fact that even before the arrival of the NCCC, many climate change mitigation and adaptation initiatives were already being driven by the private sector. He went on to talk about bridging the gaps between government policy and private sector initiatives, with the first step being creating an enabling environment to ensure the successful delivery of long-term sustainable energy projects.
… We’re Driving Nigeria’s Net-Zero Emissions Pledge Fulfillment: Oando Read more at … Naijaonpoint.