IN what can pass as a knee-jerk response to the on-going global debate on the im- perative of a green economy, the Senate is considering the phasing out of petrol vehi- cles from our roads in the next three years. Foster Ogolor, Vice Chairman of the Sen- ate Committee on Environment, disclosed the plan at the recent 11th National Stake- holders’ Forum in Abuja which had the theme: “Environmental Governance, a key to achieving green economy.”
Speaking as a representative of the Committee Chairman, Mrs. Oluremi Ti- nubu, at the occasion, Ogolor said the Sen- ate would soon enact a bill banning pet- rol vehicles in three years because of the implications of gas emissions for the ozone layer. According to him, “the country needs a law that says all vehicles must in the next three years use only gas and non- fuel systems, fuel cells, solar systems etc.”
While there may be merit in the ongoing debate on the negative impact of petrol’s gaseous emissions on the environment and the climate, we must, as an oil producing country which derives much of its rev- enue from the product, take cognizance of Nigeria’s self-interest on this debate, and recognise, at least in the short term, the importance of continuing oil produc- tion to our national economic survival and well-being.
Nigeria, to that extent, should not be leading the charge against fossil fuels and their continued relevance in the market place. This is, indeed, a delicate balance that we must maintain, as the world has become a global village and we cannot to- tally ignore the global quest to preserve the environment to ensure the long-term survival of humanity.
As President Muhammadu Buhari’s commitment and active participation at the recent One Planet Summit on the environment in Paris showed, our country is keenly aware of its obligations to its citizens and the international community at large. However, this must not come at the expense of our national survival and local interest. It is, indeed, a tightrope that the nation must walk.
The world is moving away from fossil oils and its well documented adverse effects on the environment, but no nation engages in self-immolation by leading a campaign against the use of its main export product, before properly determining the strategy to end its depen- dence on the product.
Although many countries have indicated their determination to move away from petro- leum products for their energy needs, none has given such a short time-frame to abandon the use of fossil fuels. Even the European Union (EU) has set a ten-year limit to phase out the use of petrol as fuel. So, why would a major oil producing country like Nigeria be in such haste to phase out petrol vehicles? In all the countries that are making the transition to a green economy, rigorous thinking and hard work went into the determination of the policies that would be used to actualise it.
The determination of a matter as strategic as a green economy policy should not involve pandering to sentiments, no matter the pressures and trends elsewhere in the world. We ad- vise the legislators to proceed with utmost caution on the proposed legislation and consider the greater interest of the country in their final decision.
The Senate Committee on the Environment must involve all the relevant stakeholders in this matter to arrive at a well thought-out policy and a realisable road map for its implemen- tation. The journey to a sustainable green economy cannot be made in one day. It will take deep thinking as well as careful and detailed planning, complete with the necessary political will to bring it to fruition. Luckily, we have abundant alternatives to fossil fuels. But, it will require rigorous and disciplined planning, and copious financial investments to arrive at the desired destination.
The urge to be seen to be compliant with the global trend on this very important matter of the environment and climate change must be balanced with the nation’s over-riding national interest. This is a reality that we all must confront at this time of dire economic challenges for our country. Our legislators must be mindful of this in their lawmaking. We must make haste on the environment, but slowly. There is no other way out of this situation for our economy and the country.