An NGO, PHEW Foundation, has advised Nigerians to key into the use of renewable energy to mitigate the harmful effect of global warming.
Mrs Chigbo Uche, the Director-General of the foundation, made the call at the end of a three-day Free Solar Technology training in Warri.
The training was tagged: “Clean Energy to Mitigate Climate Change”.
The 40 youths selected randomly from Udu Local Government Area of Delta, participated in the training.
“We want to use the training to raise youths as ambassadors of clean energy to enable them to take the right actions that will protect the environment.
“What the world is doing is to reduce the use of fossil fuel and how renewable energy works is becoming an emerging new market which youths need to key into to be relevant in the future,” Uche said.
She said that participants were exposed to different types of renewable energy with emphasis on solar technology and the effect of fossil fuel to the environment.
The director-general said that youths were taught the different components of solar system, how to identify good products, prepare quotation and do the installation.
The PHEW boss appealed to the Federal Government to stop the use of coal powered generating plants for renewable energy as a measure to mitigate climate change.
Uche also advocated the use of solar system as one of the criteria to approve building plan and encourage people to use solar system rather than generating sets.
She advised people to plant trees, rather than felling them indiscriminately and as well practice proper waste management.
Uche commended Chevron Nigeria Limited for its environmental friendly approach through its Escravos Gas-to-Liquid (EGTL) plant.
According to her, the EGTL project has reduced flaring and turned it into a money making venture by way of creating jobs for youths.
She called on other oil multinationals to emulate Chevron and stop gas flaring.
Chevron had 75 per cent of the EGTL project, while the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) had 25 per cent in the same project.
The project converts natural gas into premium environmental friendly fuel, Diesel and GTL naphtha product.
In his remarks, Mr Onajite Brown, Chairman, Udu Local Government area, commended the foundation for the initiative to train the youths on renewable energy.
Brown promised to partner the NGO to enable it to train more youths on renewable energy as part of the ways to mitigate climate change.
