AfDB Says More Gas Investment Needed To Accelerate Africa’s Renewable Energy
Lagos
Stakeholders in the in the information and communications technology sector (ICT) have called for adequate use of broadband satellite to bridge the communication gaps left by the inadequacy of terrestrial fibre coverage nationwide.
Speaking at the annual stakeholders’ forum organised by the Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited (Nigcomsat) in Ikeja, Lagos yesterday, they said it has become necessary to use satellite broadband from Nigcomsat to support terrestrial fibre deployment especially now that fifth generation (5G) mobile
Lagos
The minister of Transportation, Alhaji Mua’zu Jaji Sambo has implored any incoming government to continue with the railway modernisation project of the present administration so as to boost economic growth.
He made this remark yesterday in Lagos in an address delivered at a meeting with the management staff of the corporation. technology will take years to cover every location.
The chairman of the Association of Licenced Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), Engr. Gbenga Adebayo speaking during the panel sessions said “5G technology though faster than 4G, there is still lots of blind spots where there are no coverage. This is where satellite comes in.
“There are areas where there can’t be terrestrial coverage due to topology and satellite needs to be used to bridge the communication gaps. There was a perid when telecom operators had their base stations shutdown, the operators had to rely on
While attributing the comatose witnessed in the corporation to neglect by successive governments, he said, rail development impacted positively the lives of many families through knowledge of languages and inter marriages.
Sambo stated categorically that, if the revenue generated during the oil boom era had been channeled to rail development, the country would have been better for it economically. satellite to provide communication services to subscribers,” he said.
Engr. Joseph Anagonye, head, spectrum management department, federal ministry of communication; Prince Osuagwu, a media practitioner and Engr. Adeola Ogundele, technical director, Crystalfix Nigeria Ltd all called for deeper collaboration between Nigcomsat and government agencies as well as private sector players especially in the ICT sector to invest in use of satellite, ensure adequate coverage instead of patronizing foreign satellite providers whose services are very expensive.
Brigadier General Bode Ojutaye,
The managing director of the corporation, Engr. Fidet Okhiria, in his opening remarks, said one of the cornerstones of economic growth and development of any country through mass movement of freights and people, thereby, creating direct and indirect job opportunities, urbanisation, business expansion and social integration for peaceful coexistence.
He disclosed that the corporadirector of ICT, Army Signals, Nigerian Army and Commodore Johnson Addewoyin, communication specialist, Nigerian Navy noted that in the military, whether in the air, land and sea, communication is key to achieving command and control of the forces.
They said the military relies significantly on the satellite services provided by Nigcomsat especially in the theatre of operations in the northeast. “Nigcomsat has been very supportive with its satellite services which is aiding the military in curbing insecurity. Other telecom operators have also been helpful,” Ojutaye added.
L-R: Head, brand and communication, Parallex Bank, Ademola Adeshola; managing director, Olufemi Bakre; director general, Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association, Adewale Oyerinde and head, agency banking, Parallex Bank, Abdulwasiu Popoola, during the award of Challenger Bank of the Year to Parallex Bank at the BAFI Awards in Lagos. PHOTO BY KOLAWOLE ALIU tion was facing challenges, such as; vandalisation and security but that, the federal government through the federal ministry of Transportation, is doing everything towards ensuring that railway corridor are now properly secured for safety of passengers.
Okhiria also commended the minister for ensuring the release of the remaining hostages of the infamous Abuja-Kaduna Train Service attack.
Lagos
The African Development Bank(AfDB) group has supported the incorporation of natural gas as a necessary component for Africa to supplement its renewable energy sources.
President of the bank, Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina, gave the support in an interview conducted outside of the COP 27 conference in Egypt.
He contended that the provision of adequate energy requires the use of natural gas,
Dr. Adesina said: “Africa must have natural gas to complement its renewable energy. Even if Africa were to triple its production of natural gas from current levels, its contribution to global emissions would only rise by 0.67 per cent.
“Natural gas is needed to balance out the electricity supply given the intermittent nature of renewables. We must recognize the special nature of Africa. Africa has the highest level of energy poverty in the world.
“My interest is how Africa uses natural gas as part of its energy mix to provide electricity for 600 million people today that don’t have access to electricity.”
The use of natural gas in Africa’s energy mix to provide electricity for the 600 million people who do not currently have access to, he said, picked his interest.
He noted that, using gas to supplement renewable energy sources shouldn’t be punished in Africa.
African nations can use their natural gas resources for domestic needs as well as to supply the European Union with energy, which is in short supply as a result of the effects of the Russia-Ukraine war, which started in Q1 of 2002.
A pragmatic Path to Net Zero is the name of a whitepaper that the Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) recently published on the road map for Africa’s development.
In order to support industrialisation, the white paper asserts that Africa must take advantage of its natural gas reserves, which it has in abundance.