Industrialized countries have been urged to support Africa embark on a low carbon growth for economic prosperity.
Nigeria’s Minister of state, mines and steel development, Senator Gbemisola Saraki gave the advice at the 37th Annual Conference of Nigerian Metallurgical Society held in Abuja with the theme: ‘the role of Material Industry in Energy Mix Transition and environmental sustainability’.
Represented by Professor Suleiman Bolaji, the Minister said there are untapped opportunities for partnering with sub-Saharan Africa adding that, the continent’s vast rainforests and natural resources could be invested in through re-forestation and agro-forestry programs to provide sustainable livelihoods and carbon storage.
“Industrialized countries are historically responsible for the bulk of greenhouse gas emissions. However, meaningful reductions in emissions today can only be achieved through an approach that includes emerging markets. In addition, developing regions like sub-Saharan Africa must be enabled to embark on a low carbon growth path as they continue to grow their economic base and energy supply and demand,” she said.
Senator Saraki noted that, Industrialized countries have an obligation to support Africa and other regions.
“Moreover, it is in their interest to do so as climate change impacts will be felt throughout the world.”
Developing and emerging countries have signaled they would agree to a global climate deal if they are supported.
Speaking on roles of material industry in energy mix, the Minister said, materials play key role in the transition of any society toward future sustainability, adding that as novel energy technologies need new materials for effectiveness.
“Today’s industrial society has become entirely dependent on materials, as it produces more of them, builds an increasingly complex society, and accumulates an incredible volume of materials in use.
“The challenge of sustainability for the material system is rooted in the way that we now process resources to make material sand products, and in the current industrialized route toward economic development,” he explained.
She commended the Nigerian Metallurgical Society for making several sensitization on materials resources in view of its role in promoting smart Cities.
Senator Saraki called on the stakeholders to come up with a plan of action that will support the government.
Also, the President of the Nigerian Metallurgical Society, Professor Boniface Oloche said that, reliable and sustainable materials are fundamental to every country that needs to improve its social and economic wellbeing.
He called on Nigerian government to utilize the available materials endowed in the country for energy mix, transition and environmental sustainability.
Highlighting the importance of environmental sustainability, Professor Oloche stressed the need to protect the environment for future needs of the next generations.
He said, “as the world is ushering into a future of smart Cities, Renewable energy production and environmental sustainability, materials sciences research are still needed to help increase the efficiency of today’s materials and to invent new materials that allows for higher efficiency during product use.”
The Vice Chancellor, University of Abuja, Professor Abdulrasheed Na’Allah represented by the Director Academic Planning, Professor Wasi’u Gabbadeen urged universities in Nigeria to imbibe renewable energy to reduce cost of energy in institutions.
He said transferring and conversion of raw materials to renewable energy in the country will significantly improves the economy fortunes of the nation.
The Director General National Energy Commission Professor Eli Jidere Bala in his presentation called for the Scaling up of recycling as in circular economy as doing so plays a pivotal role in preparing for rapid growth of waste volumes that affects the environment.
