Sierra Leone Telegraph: 25 August 2021:
Mohammed Barkindo, Secretary General of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) has urged African oil-producing countries to continue developing their energy sector activities. He reassured that OPEC will continue to serve as a viable partner and will “assist in whatever way possible.”
Speaking during a meeting at the Republic of the Congo’s National Oil Company, Société nationale des pétroles du Congo (SNPC), as part of a historic three-day OPEC and African Energy Chamber delegation to the country on Monday, he highlighted the role of oil and gas in the development of Africa’s energy industry, as well as global energy security.
Barkindo further pointed out that while improvements in renewable energy technologies have been made, the oil and gas industry remain the primary road out of widespread energy and economic deprivation.
“OPEC categorially rejects the narrative that the energy transition is from hydrocarbons to renewables,” said Barkindo, adding that “all sources of energy are required today in order to meet the challenges of climate change and the future demand for energy.”
Given that the global population is said to increase by 1.7 billion people by 2045, with the majority coming from Africa, it remains crucial that countries like the Congo strengthen their energy industries to respond efficiently to current and future challenges.
Congo’s efforts to boost its oil and gas sector, as well as SNCP’s activities was praised by the Secretary General.
Of course they’d promote petroleum as a source of energy. Otherwise their jobs would be on the line. Whether we like it or not we need to start using other alternative sources of energy. Climate change is ramping up and clearly showing us that we’re on a destructive path. The African continent is the perfect instrument for renewable energy as we have always used innovative methods in order to survive.