…As Commission Sets To Ensure That Every Community In Niger Delta Region is Empowered by Solar
Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, has revealed significant strides in the realm of solar power, aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to address climate change issues in Nigeria.
The Commission’s Chairman, who spoke when a delegation from the Asteven International Company made a presentation on Renewable Energy and Carbon Credit at the NDDC headquarters in Port Harcourt; said that NDDC’s collaboration with a US-based firm and its compliance with the National Council of Climate Change demonstrated their dedication to climate-related matters.
He maintained that Solar power has the dual benefit of helping people with projects and building carbon credits; adding that they expect nothing less than to recover the carbon credits they have garnered so far and such recovered funds can be reinvested.
Furthermore, Dr. Ogbuku, while highlighting the potential for environmental regeneration, particularly mangrove restoration, hinted that their target is to see every community in the Niger Delta region powered by solar; which is renewable and a cheap form of energy.
In addition to this, he noted that they shall create industrial clusters to be powered by solar which will help in improving the agricultural value chain.
According to NDDC Boss: “Solar power has the dual benefit of helping people with projects and building carbon credits. We expect to recover the carbon credits we have garnered so far. Such recovered funds can be reinvested,” Dr. Ogbuku noted, highlighting the potential for environmental regeneration, particularly mangrove restoration.”
In his view, the President of the Council on Renewable Energy, Dr. Sunny Akpoyibo, assured of support to NDDC in developing projects with carbon values, stating: “NDDC should work towards getting return on sustainable development. The Commission needs to unlock trapped values in its projects.”
Meanwhile, during the presentation from the Asteven International Company, they highlighted the global significance of NDDC’s green projects and assured the Commission of their assistance in monetising carbon credits and unlocking a substantial $2 billion carbon investment potential in the Niger Delta region.
Also responding, the Executive Director of Asteven Group, Prof. Magnus Onuoha, underscored the centrality of the Niger Delta in the international climate change discourse and charged the commission to actively engage experts for climate finance and technology support; while hitting hard on the importance of climate justice for sustainable development in the region.
However, Prof. Onuoha stated that NDDC’s investments in solar power and carbon credits align with SDGs, particularly Goal 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) and Goal 13 (Climate Action). This forward-looking initiative reflects NDDC’s unwavering commitment to sustainable development and climate resilience in the Niger Delta region.
