Over $300bn spent to promote renewable energy in 2016 – FG

AS the world is moving away gradually from fossil fuel to renewable energy, the Federal Government, on Monday, announced that over $300 billion was spent in 2016 by the world to promote renewable energy.

It, however, said that the government has taken proactive steps in eradicating tsetse fly, which its adverse effects on both the livestock and human beings are death.

The Minister of Science and Technology, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, made this announcement in Abuja, while addressing World Press Conference on developments/outcome of his recent visits to United Arab Emirate (UAE) and Ethiopia to attend 7^th General Assembly on International Renewable Energy Agency.

He said with the attendance of three prime ministers and 75 ministers, represented their various countries at the conference, it was very clear that the world was moving towards renewable energy as the only sustainable way to make sure that energy access and energy security was achieved globally and Nigeria must not be left behind.

Dr Onu said further that due to the enormous problems being faced through the climate change, many countries were now increasing their percentage and contributions towards renewable energy.

The minister explained that the platform, which was being provided by Arena, an international organisation, who promotes bio-energy solar, hydropower and many more, was being supported and encouraged by countries that were rich in crude oil, with a view to increasing their economic well beings and diversify their own source of energy.

He said out of 120 countries and 150 organisations, including United Nations that participated in the conference, Nigeria was elected fourth Vice-President to work successfully towards the 8^th General Assembly, which is billed for January 13 and 14, 2018.

According to him, “for the first time in 2016, the world spent over $300 billon in promoting renewable energy and so many countries are increasing the percentage, contribution of renewable energy. But what is very interesting is that this platform that is being provided by the Arena is being supported and also encouraged by countries that are rich in crude oil and they are doing this for economic reasons, because this is important so as to diversify your own source of energy.

“If in the future, take for example, solar energy is competitive through the utilization of science and technology, in research and innovation, and if you don’t play a role in this level, then you maybe in the situation where you will be regretting later that you would have done so. So, we are very happy that Nigeria is playing an important role as a founding member of Arena,” he added.
On his visit to Ethiopia, the minister said the interest was based on how the Federal Government could effectively control and if possible to eradicate tsetse fly in Nigeria completely.

According to him, “this tsetse fly is a very destructive insect that has adverse effect on livestock, which result in death. The livestock will continue to lose weight until it dies. It affects productivity, it also affects meal production but the tsetse fly does not only have adverse effect on livestock but also adversely affect human health.

“The tsetse fly gives sleeping sickness and demand stage of the sleeping sickness result is death, you can see that it is not only our food security that is affected by the tsetse fly, it also affects human beings, human health and the productivity of the nation. It has adverse effect on the economy,” he stated.