ERA/FoEN, Groups discuss life after oil

The 11th National Environmental Congress (NEC) of the Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria (ERA/FoEN) ongoing in Port Harcourt has urged the Nigerian government to up its speed in shifting from fossil fuels to alternatives provided by renewable energy.

The NEC which with the theme: Post Extractivism: Energy Democracy for National Development, is a yearly event that brings together representatives of civil society, community groups, labour unions, government officials, the academia, and the media among others, to question government policies and proffer solutions.

This year, the gathering cautioned on the negative implications of Nigeria’s slow march towards a post-oil economy and the reality that the nation might be left behind if concrete commitments to transit are not made.

The key note address was by foremost activist and lecturer at the Lagos State University, Sylvester Odion Akhaine who examined Nigeria’s dependence on fossil fuels and the nature of alternatives in the post-extractivism era and provided an actionable road-map to alternatives in renewable energy sources.

ERA/FoEN Executive Director, Dr. Godwin Uyi Ojo, in his welcome words titled: “Energy Democracy for Nigeria is Possible,” explained that fossil fuels is dirty, expensive and kills Nigerians almost on a daily basis.

Ojo explained that the dead are victims of the country’s lack of foresight and fossil fuels dependency.