#AfrikaVuka
#CoalFreeNigeria
It’s time for Nigeria to join the rest of the world in banning coal mining and making the world a better place to live in.
About #CoalFreeNigeria
A study commissioned by 350.org in 2019 about the status of coal mining in Nigeria has shown that coal mining in Kogi, Benue and Gombe states has led to extensive environmental degradation including the contamination of air, water and soil which continue to negatively affect the health of local communities.
The coal miners featured in the study are Dangote Cement, ETA Zuma’s Zuma 828 Coal Limited and Lafarge’s (Ashaka) Cement. The three companies despite stating lofty “green” and environmental sustainability positions on their websites and investor documents including annual and sustainability reports, continue to practice coal mining in a way that totally disregards the health and livelihoods of local communities and its effects on the global climate crisis.
Despite being a party to the Paris Agreement with a pledge to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, the Federal Government of Nigeria has recently placed a high priority on utilising coal to increase Nigeria’s electricity generating capacity. In 2016, the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development announced that it was working in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing to increase Nigeria power generation to include 30% coal in its power mix.Nigeria’s goal is to revitalize the coal mining industry and expand power generation by attracting companies to develop these large coal resources and construct coal-fired.
Although there has been significant public awareness on the impact of coal mining and progress in the fight for climate justice for these communities since we began our actions against coal mining in Nigeria, there is even more work to be done to achieve a coal free Nigeria.
In order to consolidate on the progress made so far, we are therefore seeking to launch a Coal Free Nigeria Campaign with the goal to stop any new coal mines and phase out existing ones in Nigeria by 2025.Nigeria being one of the largest economies in Africa should be a beacon for other African states by accelerating its plans towards a rapid, just transition towards 100% renewable energy for all Nigerians.
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We’re calling on the Federal Government of Nigeria to stop the issuance of coal mining licenses.
While governments around the world are switching to more clean, efficient, and sustainable energy solutions, there is no valid argument to explore coal options. Nigeria is now in a position to switch to more viable forms of energy instead of relying on fossil fuels that cause irreversible harm to the ecosystem.
The Federal Government of Nigeria as a signatory to the Paris Agreement ,has an obligation to reduce its carbon emission and this includes among several other actions the outright ban on coal mining in Nigeria.
We are therefore urging all fellow citizens of Nigeria, and Global citizens at large, to sign this petition in the hope of stopping new coal plants in Nigeria by helping us demand that the Federal Ministry of Mines completely phases out the issuance of coal mining licenses in Nigeria
It’s time for Nigerians to stand up for the planet! Demand that coal mining be banned in Nigeria. It is time to usher in sustainable energy use, such as wind and solar that is abundant in Nigeria. #CoalFreeNigeria
Our Demands
- The Federal Ministry of Mines and Steel Development to stop the issuance of licenses for coal mining in Nigeria immediately.
- The Federal Ministry of Environment/NESREA should immediately carry out an Environmental and Social Impact Assessment on all the coal mining sites in Nigeria and adequately address the level of human and environmental violation brought about by coal mining
- The Federal Ministry of Mines and Steel Development should urgently review all the Community Development Agreements signed between the coal mining communities and the Mining companies and ensure promises to the communities are fulfilled
- The Federal Government of Nigeria should accelerate the national plans to a rapid, just transition towards 100% renewable energy for all Nigerians.
- The Federal Government of Nigeria should abide by their commitments to the Paris Agreement which requires phased reduction of Greenhouse gases such as coal fired plants by 2030
- All mining operations in Nigeria undertaken by multinational companies should adhere to the UN Guiding Principle on Business and Human Rights
Nigeria is faced with an energy supply crisis. About 47% of Nigerians do not have access to grid electricity and those who do have access, face regular power cuts. But is coal the right option to bridge this energy gap? Definitely No!
Coal mining activities taking place in Nigeria are associated with air, water and soil pollution a leading cause of health issues among local communities living adjacent to coal mines. Coal mining companies have also short-changed local communities by not honoring economic and social agreements entered into.
While governments around the world are switching to more clean, efficient, and sustainable energy solutions, there is no valid argument to explore coal options. Nigeria is now in a position to switch to more viable forms of energy instead of relying on fossil fuels that cause irreversible harm to the ecosystem.
The Federal Government of Nigeria as a signatory to the Paris Agreement ,has an obligation to reduce its carbon emission and this includes among several other actions the outright ban on coal mining in Nigeria.
We are therefore urging all fellow citizens of Nigeria, and Global citizens at large, to sign this petition in the hope of stopping new coal plants in Nigeria by helping us demand that the Federal Ministry of Mines completely phases out the issuance of coal mining licenses in Nigeria
It’s time for Nigerians to stand up for the planet! Demand that coal mining be banned in Nigeria. It is time to usher in sustainable energy use, such as wind and solar that is abundant in Nigeria. #CoalFreeNigeria
Our Demands
- The Federal Ministry of Mines and Steel Development to stop the issuance of licenses for coal mining in Nigeria immediately.
- The Federal Ministry of Environment/NESREA should immediately carry out an Environmental and Social Impact Assessment on all the coal mining sites in Nigeria and adequately address the level of human and environmental violation brought about by coal mining
- The Federal Ministry of Mines and Steel Development should urgently review all the Community Development Agreements signed between the coal mining communities and the Mining companies and ensure promises to the communities are fulfilled
- The Federal Government of Nigeria should accelerate the national plans to a rapid, just transition towards 100% renewable energy for all Nigerians.
- The Federal Government of Nigeria should abide by their commitments to the Paris Agreement which requires phased reduction of Greenhouse gases such as coal fired plants by 2030
- All mining operations in Nigeria undertaken by multinational companies should adhere to the UN Guiding Principle on Business and Human Rights
Sample tweets
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It’s time for #Nigeria to join the rest of the world in banning coal mining and making the world a better place to live in. #CoalFreeNigeria #AfrikaVuka @NigeriaGov
The narrative that our people can only access livelihoods from working in poor conditions for the sake of destructive #fossilfuel extractives needs to change. It’s time for a #CoalFreeNigeria #Afrikavuka @NigeriaGov
#Nigeria is now in a position to switch to more viable forms of energy instead of relying on #fossilfuels that cause irreversible harm to the eco-system. @NigeriaGov #CoalFreeNigeria #AfrikaVuka
Please sign our petition to call on the Federal Government of #Nigeria (@NigeriaGov) to STOP the issuance of coal mining licenses #CoalFreeNigeria #AfrikaVuka
The future is green, let’s keep coal in the ground #CoalisNotCool #CoalFreeNigeria #AfrikaVuka
Have you always asked yourself “What can I do to stop #climatechange?” Here is what you can do. Take action by signing this petition: https://afrikavuka.org/coalfreenigeria/ #CoalFreeNigeria #AfrikaVuka