Mbachu C.P.
Tennessee Technological University, US
Keywords: environmental health, renewable energy technologies, rural women, sustainable development
Poverty is generally considered as a major cause of food insecurity and poverty alleviation is essential in improving access to food. The Niger Delta of Nigeria, one of the world’s top oil producers, has been the center of violent despair, neglect, poverty & poor environment for years. 86 percent of the population, majority of women and children, live in rural communities and work at subsistence farming. They cannot afford a good education for their children due to their low income levels. Depletion in natural water and lack of development in the oil rich region has led to disintegration of these traditional communities. Renewable energy technologies as a profitable alternative venture is a veritable tool that can help provide food and jobs for teeming youth and women. The coastal communities has remarkable potentials for development, but the government as well as the multinationals have not understood and tapped the potential role of renewable energy technologies in managing the crisis in the Niger Delta for sustainable development. Economic empowerment of restive youths and women through renewable energy technologies can be achieved through encouragement of personal investments, formation of farmer co-operative society’s provision of loans, credit facilities and establishment of manpower development centers.
Journal: TechConnect Briefs
Volume: Technical Proceedings of the 2008 Clean Technology Conference and Trade Show
Published: June 1, 2008
Pages: 230 - 233
Industry sector: Energy & Sustainability
Topic: Energy Storage
ISBN: 1-4200-8502-0