*Urges for non-discrimination of oil in future energy mix
OpeOluwani Akintayo
21 February 2018, Sweetcrude, Lagos — Secretary-General of the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, Mohammed Barkindo, has urged the Federal Government not to limit oil’s potential to eradicate poverty.
In his Keynote remark at the just concluded maiden edition of the Nigeria International Petroleum Summit in Abuja, Barkindo said part of oil’s potentials will give access to modern energy services.
“Oil’s poverty-eradicating potential should not be unduly shackled. The right to have access to modern energy services for the first time, to provide warmth, electricity and mobility should not be overly impeded”.
On the Paris Agreement, the OPEC chief said the organisation remains “fully engaged and supportive”. “We firmly believe that a global consensus from the multilateral process remains the best and most inclusive way for all nations to collectively counter climate change in a fair and equitable manner”.
According to him, the world will continue to need all energy sources, especially for the 1.1 billion people in developing countries that have no access to electricity and the 2.3 billion deprived of commercial energy.
“Therefore, rather than discriminate against any energy source, it is vital that we collectively develop and adopt technologies, as well as all-inclusive energy policies, that transform the environmental credentials of all energies, including the 1.5 trillion barrels of proven reserves which currently exist”, he said.
Speaking further, he explained that market stability is critical because oil will continue to play an integral role in the future energy mix.
