The quest for cleaner energy sources got a boost as a coalition of civil society organisations (CSOs) has supported 40 households at Owukpa Coal Mine host community in Benue State, with multi-function solar power systems.
In 2021, Owukpa Consolidated Mines Nigeria Limited, a coal exploration, development and mining company was forced to halt operations in the community following advocacy by climate change advocacy groups for clean energy.
Kome Odhomor, Media/Communication Lead at Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF), disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday
He said the gesture is in a bid to support a post-extractive future for Owukpa women, whose peaceful efforts led to the halting of environmentally destructive coal mining activities in their community in 2021.
The statement said the civil society bodies partnered with the Eco Defenders Network to distribute multi-functional solar power systems to about 40 women.
It revealed that the event in Owukpa was met with great enthusiasm as beneficiaries expressed gratitude for the initiative, which will help address their energy needs at home and in their businesses.
At the event, Shehu Akowe of Eco Defenders Network, emphasized that the gesture represents a clarion call for the government and well-meaning Nigerians, to advocate for ecologically and socially just energy alternatives.
He advocated support for energy systems that value diverse ways of life and that protect the land, air, and water which impacted communities depend on.
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“Nigeria’s vast solar and wind potentials should be harnessed to create clean energy alternatives to coal. Embracing these technologies will help move us beyond the violent and harmful
practice of extraction, which assumes the earth has no limits, and instead provide communities with clean energy systems,” he said.
Akowe emphasised the importance of unity in advocating for life-sustaining, post-extractive future that respect human dignity and environmental integrity.
Responding on behalf of the beneficiaries, Mrs. A. Cecilia and Mrs. G. Enenche, expressed their gratitude, acknowledging that the gesture will help address the long-standing issue of energy deficiency.
