₦airaland Forum

Climate Change: Allow Africa Use Fossil Fuels for Development, Lai Mohammed Urges Developed Nations

Former Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has called on developed nations to allow African countries greater flexibility in the use of fossil fuels to drive economic growth and infrastructure development.

Mohammed made the call on Thursday while speaking at the University of Cambridge in the United Kingdom, where he addressed students as part of a series of international engagements.

Responding to a question on how developed nations can assist Africa in mitigating the effects of climate change, the former minister criticised what he described as “hypocrisy” in the global climate discourse.

“I’m afraid my position on this will shock you. I think there is a lot of hypocrisy around this climate change issue, especially regarding what developed nations expect from developing countries,” he said.

According to him, countries in Europe and North America relied heavily on fossil fuels to build their economies, infrastructure, and transportation systems, and should not deny Africa the same opportunity.

“The developed world used fossil fuels to build their infrastructure, transportation systems, roads and the like. The only asset we have is fossil fuel. We must be allowed to use it to build our infrastructure and economy,” Mohammed stated.

While acknowledging the importance of protecting the environment, he stressed the need for differentiated responsibilities.

“We agree that we must not endanger nature, but different rules will have to apply. We must be given a lot of leeway and concessions. We must be allowed to use our fossil fuels to develop our economy and infrastructure,” he added.

Mohammed also highlighted Nigeria’s development challenges, particularly in the tourism and events sector. He noted that despite hosting an estimated 20,000 events monthly in Lagos, the country lacks adequate infrastructure such as purpose-built conference and event centres.

“At a recent Commonwealth Trade and Investment Forum, the issue of over-tourism was raised. I pointed out that our problem in Nigeria is under-tourism. We need more investment in tourism infrastructure,” he said.

He concluded by reaffirming Africa’s commitment to global climate efforts, while insisting that the continent must be granted concessions to meet its development needs.

“We will join the world in saving the planet, but we must be given concessions,” Mohammed said.

https://independent.ng/climate-change-allow-africa-use-fossil-fuels-for-development-lai-mohammed-urges-developed-nations/

Mohammed wants to save the planet when he has not saved his country but lies shamelessly to the world that his country is next to heaven.

A shameless old man.

I completely agree to that

The West keep pushing climate change after they use the then available resources to improve their own economy, knowing fully well that African don't have access to enough 'clean energy ' they are forcing us to abandon what we have for what we don't have

PlasmaTV:
Mohammed wants to save the planet when he has not saved his country but lies shamelessly to the world that his country is next to heaven.

A shameless old man.

Lie Mohammed
Lie Mohammed
Lie Mohammed

Why are they granting this man audience? I hate seeing him on the news. He plays politics with everything, tells lies all the time.

No one is stopping Africa from using fossil oil, but corruption is. So, Lai is drunk. He practically said nothing. Dem don bill naija from using crude oil to develop? No be Dangote wan expand to Tanzania? He is drunk. Just saying rubbish.

PlasmaTV:
Mohammed wants to save the planet when he has not saved his country but lies shamelessly to the world that his country is next to heaven.

A shameless old man.

Ogbeni, is this what you get from reading the article? I doubt that this one don pass WAEC and JAMB. Walahi, this is very embarrassing!

Allow you? Were your hands tied before?
You can not break out and do what is good for you?
Ordinary Burkina Faso has taken hold of her gold mines, and has built her own gold refinery.
Here, almost all the lucrative gas fields and oil Wells belong to either SHELL or CCHEVRON.
You make yourself a willing serf and then you turn around to complain

I support this, make oyibo no dey tell us to do wetin them no go gree do. After u dn use fossil fuels develop ur economy u dey tell us not to do same.

epainos:
No one is stopping Africa from using fossil oil. But corruption is. So, Lai is drunk.

Ogbeni, if you don’t understand a subject, just waka pass. You must not comment and show how ignorant you are. This is terrible!

satan thought he was a liar until APC produced lie Mohammed

Wotowotoman:
Ogbeni, if you don’t understand a subject, just waka pass. You must not comment and show how ignorant you are. This is terrible!

You are talking to a master holder in sustainability. Keep shut!

At least, you suppose research first. Cho cho cho. Just post comments without thinking. Without even checking to see the person he wants to address first. Na so una dey useless una selves.

The stupid rhetoric. The numbers of bombs

MadPolitician:
Allow you? Were your hands tied before?
You can not break out and do what is good for you?
Ordinary Burkina Faso has taken hold of her gold mines, and has built her own gold refinery.
Here, almost all the lucrative gas fields and oil Wells belong to either SHELL or CCHEVRON.
You make yourself a willing serf and then you turn around to complain

People go just open mouth waaaa dey misyearn. Which money dem go use develop the oil fields? You think say na moi moi money? We are talking billions of dollars. Who owns the international banks that finance these projects

Look at this old liar. Always looking for who to blame for their self-inflicted suffering caused by the corrupt leaders in Africa. When did developed nations stop African countries from using fossil fuels to develop their countries? African countries are blessed with so much natural resources, yet remain poor due to mismanagement.

Take Nigeria for instance. Since the recovery of crude oil and natural gas, for decades, the money made from the sales of these fossil fuels end up in private bank accounts. Did the developed nations stop Nigeria from using the proceeds of crude oil sales to develop functional refineries to produce fuels in Nigeria?

Currently the gold mining in nigeria is illegally controlled by a few rogues in and out of government, using China as the merchant, and Boko Haram to secure the sites.

How would African countries be developed if the natural resources are stolen by the the corrupt leaders?

This stupid rhetoric. The numbers of bombs they are using to kill children and its attendant environmental effect and their major concern is an africa using wood to cook for survival.

Addressing students of Cambridge uni.
The young students are miles apart from what Liar Mohammed was talking about.
Mohammed is supposed to have talked on policy when he was in Nigeria's government for about 8 years.

Africa always lagging behind in matters of technological development.

Electric Vehicles is the trend in developed climes, but it will take another 20yrs for same to happen in Africa.

epainos:
You are talking to a master holder in sustainability. Keep shut!

At least, you suppose research first. Cho cho cho. Just post comments without thinking. Without even checking to see the person he wants to address first. Na so una dey useless una selves.

You are a holder of a masters in sustainability and you dey talk say na corruption dey hold Nigeria back from developing its oil fields? Dem no teach una Paris Alignment wey oyibo man dey shout up and down for the quack program?

If oyibo man talk say fossil fuel no good for environment and stop their banks and oil companies from supporting oil projects, who go dash Naija the money to develop the oil fields??

Ogbeni, if you went true true to a school and this is your take, go collect your money back from that school immediately

Did the climate change initiative make our refineries moribund? Asiwaju payed for those refineries to be fixed and they still don’t work. Na everything be oyibo fault?

Why didn't you do it during your 8years as a minister for information, lies and cultural day that was full of lies, propaganda and failure.
Now you people transfered to your like and same gangs to continue.

Are your children not seeing all this your disgraceful lies nature?

allen113:
I support this, make oyibo no dey tell us to do wetin them no go gree do. After u dn use fossil fuels develop ur economy u dey tell us not to do same.

Na only you understand wetin the man dey talk o. All these lazy youths for here just dey open mouth dey misyearn. Na wa o

Why this Man dey yarn dust these days sef?



Be like e dey look for an appointment or what 😂

The only asset we have is fossil fuel. We must be allowed to use it to build our infrastructure and economy,” Mohammed stated.

Nobody should take the west seriously. They've used fossil fuel to develop their economies and now they don't want others to do same.

Even China is still developing its coalmines to generate power. The day we all destroy the earth, everyone go rest. After all, nobody lives on earth forever.

We don't need their permission to use fossil fuels.

The US is not a signatory to the climate change agreement and has stated that they will never sign it therefore no one can force African countries to abide by it.

We too must generate our own share of greenhouse gases

Allow me to pay 100 naira for energy when others pay five naira.

Climate change means God is dead

This one wey Oga Lai de show nowadays,e be like say dat digital transformation money don finish?

GanagiBitrus:
Africa always lagging behind in matters of technological development.

Electric Vehicles is the trend in developed climes, but it will take another 20yrs for same to happen in Africa.

So because EVs are the trend in developed climes we should jump in wholesale without thinking about the implications for our economy?

Are you aware that the mainstay of our economy is the oil industry and the oil industry is dependent on petrol driving cars therefore if everyone adopts EVs 100% our economy will suffer!