The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) says it will train 1,000 youths in the Niger Delta area on the conversion of fuel engines to condensed natural gas.

NDDC managing director Samuel Ogbuku disclosed this in a statement on Monday after attending the Climate Change Conference (COP28) in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates.

Mr Ogbuku stressed the need for a permanent solution to the environmental challenges faced by the Niger Delta region as a result of crude oil exploration and exploitation.

“We want to make the Niger Delta the hub of engine conversion, where we can also be outsourced to other parts of Nigeria. We want to take that bold initiative that is going to engage most of our youths because we also want to be involved in the whole green energy process,” said Mr Ogbuku.

The NDDC boss said the commission decided to take the challenges and prospects of the Niger Delta region to COP28 to elicit the right actions.

Mr Ogbuku observed that there had been discussions on gas flaring, climate change and carbon emissions over the years with no substantial results, revealing that NDDC’s environmental protection and control directorate had established a framework to ensure that all its development activities were green energy-compliant.

“The conference in Dubai allowed us to highlight our position on the climate change issue and seek partnerships and investments in renewable energy,” said Mr Ogbuku. “We went there to tell our story as the people of the Niger Delta and to let the world know the impact of crude oil exploration and gas flaring on our environment.”

He added, “We believe that the Niger Delta region is the most affected in Nigeria by climate change. The impact of crude oil and gas exploration has eroded our environment, and most of our communities have been deserted due to urban migration.”

Mr Ogbuku explained that the NDDC was investing in solar power to light up communities in the Niger Delta region and was expecting to recover carbon credits from the investments.

“We are preparing our 2024 budget and will capture all these investment plans. They include a massive tree-planting campaign and the training of youths in renewable energy to prepare them for the future,” stated the NDDC boss.

(NAN)