NDDC to partner TotalEnergies on renewable energy

Determined to reduce the impact of climate change in the Niger Delta region, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has expressed willingness to work with International Oil Companies (IOCs) and other development partners to increase investment in renewable energy projects.

To achieve the target, Managing Director of NDDC, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, said sustainable partnerships to drive the development process were key.

He stated this during a courtesy visit by a delegation from the TotalEnergies Nigeria Limited at the NDDC headquarters in Port Harcourt, yesterday.

Ogbuku said: “Climate change is real. So, the oil companies should help by reducing gas flaring and other forms of pollution. We need to protect our communities by investing more in clean energy sources. On our own part, we are focusing more on solar energy to help in combating climate change.”

NDDC Director, Corporate Affairs, Pius Ughakpoteni, said the commission would like to replicate the model with TotalEnergies, Chevron and other major oil companies, stating that more development would be achieved through partnerships.

Earlier, the Executive Director, Joint Venture Assets, TotalEnergies Nigeria Limited, Obi Imemba, commended NDDC for its role in the development of the Niger Delta region, adding: “We at the TotalEnergies believe so much in partnerships that agree with one of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). What you are doing in NDDC is ticking the boxes around SDGs. So, we believe that we have a lot in common.

“Our goal is to provide the energy that the world needs.  We started in oil and gas, and now we are providing energies in the form of solar, hydrogen, green electricity and others.  We are here in Nigeria for the long haul, though some IOCs are exiting Nigeria; that is not in our plan.”

Imemba stressed the need to protect the environment from activities leading to further pollution, and urged private and government organisations to diversify their means of producing energy.

He stated: “We are providing renewable energy in TotalEnergies and we are encouraging people to diversify their energy means, moving from the conventional fossil to renewable energy. We should bring hydrocarbons that have less carbon emissions.”