Africa must decolonize its resource exploration ___APPO scribe
Sopuruchi Onwuka
African nations must immediately reverse the current practice of exploiting its natural resources for export revenue while neglecting internal developmental needs.
Secretary General of the African Petroleum Producers Organization (APPO), Dr Omar Farouk Ibrahim, who lamented the highly trumpeted energy poverty in the continent, blamed African leaders for struggling to meet energy demand in developed countries while overlooking internal developmental needs of their citizens.
In firing sharp reprimands at African governments, Dr Farouk Ibrahim pointed out that the continent has lagged behind in all facets of development, resulting in widespread poverty, underdevelopment and acute energy supply deficits.
Dr Ibrahim was delivering a keynote address at the ministerial session of the ongoing Nigerian International Energy Summit (NIES) where he provided updates on his organization’s moves to counter international funding freeze on new petroleum development projects in Africa.
Dr Ibrahim who is currently leading African oil and gas producers to navigate prevailing funding crisis with the establishment of the African Energy Bank (AEB) lamented deep energy poverty in the continent, saying that Africa has for decades been supplying energy for the world but not for it’s own people.
He expressed dissatisfaction at the low rate of development on the continent, noting that Africa has failed to lead any level of innovation.
He said the continent has relied on Europe, America and Asia for nearly all its funding, industrial, technical, military, and infrastructure needs.
On the high level of energy poverty in the continent, he told delegates that Africa has been exporting it’s mineral resources and sundry raw materials in exchange for cash and finished products.
He noted that there has not been any conscious or coordinated program for Africa to propel development with its abundant natural resources.
In pointing out that countries in the global north has turned their back on African oil and gas after reaching the zenith of their industrial development , Dr Farouk declared that time has come for the continent urgently decolonize valorisation of its mineral resources.
He pointed at the global mindset that Africa has proved to be a natural follower that is incapable of solving its problems without aid from other continents of the world.
Returning to the crippling energy poverty in the continent, Dr Farouk demanded that the paradox of a dark continent that provides light for other parts of the world must change.
He made it clear that APPO does not suggest Africa’s isolation from global markets and international collaborations, but stressed that the continent must come together to explore home grown solutions to its needs.
He pointed at intra-continental collaboration and partnership as the best way forward in bequeathing a better continent for future generation of Africa.
Dr Farouk paid tribute to the Nigerian government, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited and all APPO members that stand up to the challenge of creating new funding windows for the African petroleum industry.
