The Governor of Cross River State, Sen. Bassey Otu, has affirmed the state’s commitment to spearheading the green economy a significant milestone in his developmental objective for the state.
The governor announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with OANDO Clean Energy at the Nigeria pavilion, on the sidelines of the ongoing COP 28 in Dubai.
Represented by the Commissioner for Special Duties and Intergovernmental Relations Oden Ibiang Ewa, the governor expressed enthusiasm about Cross River State’s gains from COP28, stating, “COP 28 has been one of the actions we have managed to sign about three MOUs with strategic partners and global partners.
He said the strategic partnership with OANDO Clean Energy aligns with Cross River State’s vision to leverage clean and sustainable energy solutions, contributing to both environmental preservation and economic growth.
Otu said as the state positions itself as a leader in the green economy, the OANDO collaboration marks a significant step toward realizing its ambitious clean energy.
“We believe they can lead climate change mitigation while boosting our GDP, aligning with our strategic government objectives.”
Governor Otu shared optimism about the groundbreaking initiatives, saying “We believe OANDO is set to break ground in 2024. By the next COP, we anticipate the full implementation or advanced stages of these projects. Our MOU solidifies our belief that these projects will come to fruition,” he affirmed.
He said the people of Cross River State anticipates the positive impact of these initiatives on climate change mitigation and economic development in the Niger Delta region.
Oando Energy’s CEO, Ainojie Irune, while speaking on the terms of the agreement disclosed that the company is set to undertake a comprehensive technical evaluation to explore the feasibility of wind energy in Cross River State.
He said the MOU signifies Oando Energy’s dedication to spearheading sustainable power initiatives, aligning with global efforts to transition towards cleaner and greener energy sources.
“If we provide the power we can live, creating power that people desperately need in Nigeria is something that will change lives, by creating jobs and allowing people fend for themselves and earn honest living,” he said.
“We are already engaged in identifying the best locations across every state in the country for wind energy extraction.
With Cross River, our focus will be on a more detailed and equipment-based assessment,” he explained.
Detailing the company’s commitment to the project, Irune outlined the deployment of specialized equipment to ensure the effective harnessing of wind energy.
“Our objective is to capture these winds in a manner that facilitates power creation, subsequently feeding the generated energy into the grid,” he said.
In his A Private Sector Representative to the NDC Partnership under UNFCCC who doubles as the CEO of Stratus Consult Limited Prince Xavier Eyamba, lauded the strategic move by the Cross River State Government in partnering on climate change initiatives.
Eyamba who commended the visionary approach of Cross River State Governor Bassey Otu in fostering a green economy, hailed the move as a pivotal step towards advancing environmental sustainability in the region.
“The signed MOUs signal a substantial investment in renewable energy and sustainable transportation, reinforcing the state’s commitment to environmental stewardship and contributing to Nigeria’s broader climate goals.
“This initiative aligns with the use of renewable power to propel vehicles, strategically working towards meeting the Nigerian government’s 2060 Net Zero target, he said.
By Dare Akogun
