An energy expert, Mfon Gabriel says Akwa Ibom State is not ready for the imminent energy transition as the ARISE Agenda being promoted by the State Government has no plans for that.

Gabriel, who is the Executive Director of Well of Science Foundation, said this on Monday, December 11, 2023, during a Capacity Development Training on Energy Transition with the theme, “Energy Transition, Setting Agenda for Clean Economy at Sub-National Level” in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

About 32 select journalists from the various chapels of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Akwa Ibom State participated in the training.

The keynote speaker, who is also the Programme Officer, Energy, Extractives and Climate Justice at Policy Alert, Uyo, argued that “the Akwa Ibom State Government in the ARISE Agenda, has not made sufficient plans for the impending transition”.

“Akwa Ibom State’s economy is the 8th largest in Nigeria and is dominated by Oil and Gas and cash crop production which jointly accounts for 90% of its Gross State Product.

“However, the ARISE Agenda only looks to encourage and promote the use of fossil fuel by facilitating and fostering the direct participation of citizens in oil and gas activities, supporting liberty oil and gas free zones. There is no connection at all to Nigeria’s Energy Transition Plan.”

Gabriel described Energy Transition as a transition from fossil-based systems of energy to sustainable energy, mostly renewed energy to limit climate change, explaining that these renewable energies are made possible by technological advancements and societal push towards sustainability.

“Energy Transition is the global energy sector’s shift from fossil-based systems of energy production and consumption including oil, natural gas and coal to renewable energy sources like wind and solar as well as lithium-ion batteries.”

He posited that Energy Transmission is inevitable as world leaders and organizations were already taking steps to ensure a total transition from fossil to renewable energy by 2050, pointing out that these steps include withdrawing funding for fossil fuel-powered projects and creating awareness on alternative energy sources in communities where fossil is their main source of energy.

“Countries with resources have decided that they are no longer financing new, never ending fossil fuel projects. Nigeria’s crude production is increasingly failing and revenue reducing and Nigeria does not have the 1.9 trillion needed for effective transition by 2060.”

Gabriel expressed that the state is not ready for energy transition despite having representatives at the ongoing COP28, warning that this will lead to loss of revenue, inability to meet financial obligation to creditors, increased borrowing and indebtedness, increase in unemployment, increased poverty and insecurity as well as stranded assets and communities.

He encouraged the journalists to invest in research and development on clean and renewable energy, seek partnerships from donors and renewable energy manufacturers to fund, invest and operate in the state and also host community development trusts in Akwa Ibom State which reflects and invests in green and renewable energy.

In his goodwill message, the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Ini Ememobong appreciated the journalists for honoring the invitation of the organizers, stating that their presence showed their interest in the betterment of the state and the country at large.

While thanking them for showing up, explained that the topic of renewable energy is very important as well as very vast and will need a great deal of awareness in order to actually be put into action. He assured them that the state government will look into the sector and make necessary adjustments.

The training, which was organized by the Natural Resource Governance Institute and facilitated by the Managing Editor of the Dune Newspaper, Abasifreke Effiong, had in attendance the Chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Akwa Ibom State Council, Amos Etuk, member of the Women’s Climate Assembly, Princess Victoria Umoh, and other reputable gentlemen of the Press.