LIBEDEF Holds Stakeholders’ Meeting on Clean Energy in Yenagoa
The Lilbeckking Development Foundation, LIBEDEF has convened a stakeholders’ meeting in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital bringing together youth leaders, civil society actors, government officials and community representatives to discuss the intersection of climate change, fossil fuels, and human health.
The theme of the meeting, Youth Action for Clean Energy” aimed at accelerating clean energy was sponsored by Urban Movement Innovation, UMI in partnership with Field Front Development Partners Ltd.
Delivering a keynote address, the Executive Director of the Foundation, Mr. Destiny Aigbokhae, said the meeting was designed to foster dialogue on the urgent need for a transition from fossil fuels to cleaner, more sustainable energy sources.
He emphasized that the government must play a pivotal role by subsidizing solar energy and other renewable options to make them more accessible to ordinary citizens.
“We must push for a narrative that compels the government to subsidize solar equipment because it offers a cleaner and healthier alternative to fossil fuels, by the government’s intervention, solar energy will be accessible to all”
Mr Aigbokhae appealed to residents of the state to embrace clean energy as fossil fuels are harmful to humans and the environment.
“If we destroy this planet, we don’t have any other place to live, our health matters and the future of our children, it is better for us to start practicing the use of clean energy”
Also speaking, the Project Coordinator, Lucy Obabueki who
highlighted the foundation’s vision and objectives, noted that they are committed to empowering young people and communities by promoting clean energy access, education, healthcare, and community development for a just and sustainable society.
“Some of the work we do is tree planting, solarizing health facilities, training youths on solar installation, taking care of out of school children, skills training for youths”
On her part, Lady Eunice Nnachi, Executive Director, Women Organized for Mentorship and Advocacy Network (WOMAN), commended the Foundation for the initiative saying the awareness is educative to ensure a cleaner environment.
She urged the government to prioritize renewable energy subsidies and encouraged residents of Bayelsa State to adopt clean energy practices.
“We all need to embrace the cleaner energy because the benefits cannot be overemphasized, when you look at the environment, the air we breathe, the ozone layer is depleting, we appeal to the government to subsidize clean energy so that it can be affordable”
The stakeholders’ meeting ended with a call for government intervention and community engagement in advancing clean and sustainable energy solutions.
