Tinubu urges US to help Africa strike balance between poverty, green energy transition
As Nigeria and the rest of the globe move toward the pursuit of renewable and other sources of clean energy, President Bola Tinubu has urged for stronger and better cooperation with the United States.
He said on Monday at the State House in Abuja during a meeting with Ambassador Geoffrey Praytt, Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of Energy Resources, of the United States.
The US delegation heard from President Tinubu on his personal views on Nigeria’s role as an oil-producing nation and the value of fossil fuel revenue to the health of the national economy.
The President claims that Nigeria will uphold all of its commitments to combating climate change and pursuing sustainable energy.
Nigeria is an oil producing nation and a developing economy that needs revenue from fossil fuels for growth and development. The new energy we are talking about represents just 5% of global energy requirements. We must find the right balance between new energy and fossil fuels because we have a problem of poverty in Africa.
President Tinubu urged the United States to collaborate with Nigeria to safeguard the people’s government in light of the connection between the issue of poverty in Africa and the instability of democracy on the continent.
Additionally, he encouraged the Assistant Secretary of State to convey to his own administration how critical it is to meet Nigeria’s demands.
“Like all other democracies around the world, our democracy requires protection. We value our relationship with the US. My doubt is whether the United States is providing us with enough. The US shouldn’t make us so hungry that we end up having to eat our enemy’s food.
To push and expedite our energy diversification, we require financial support. When it comes to how the US bureaucracy responds to our requirements, there are bottlenecks that need to be removed. When assistance is required, it must be supplied. We are prepared to grow and learn in order to participate in the 21st century economy. Please let your family and friends know that we urgently need assistance. Your acknowledgment of the preliminary measures we have made thus far is an honor to me. I want to reassure you that Nigeria will uphold its commitments regarding renewable energy and climate change, the president remarked.
In his speech, Ambassador Praytt praised President Tinubu’s bold economic actions, such as eliminating fuel subsidies and consolidating several foreign exchange.
He claimed that one of the reasons he was there was to let the president know that President Joe Biden supports the measures Nigeria has made to date to lessen the negative effects of fossil fuels.
“The US and Nigerian relations are turning a new page. To address the demands of her people, Nigeria is expanding renewable energy in significant ways.
“We have enjoyed working with NNPCL and your team very much. The US Envoy stated that your new Special Adviser on Energy was already succeeding.
Mele Kyari, the Group Managing Director of NNPC Limited, had earlier informed the President during his opening remarks that the Nigerian energy sector has been working with the US Department of Energy on the energy transition.
Kyari acknowledged the support the Nigerian government received from the US Department of Energy to develop the Petroleum Industry Act.
