"Sustainable development will only happen when energy poverty is tackled and the environment is protected...Crucial to both is the expansion of clean, affordable and accessible energy. LP Gas can play that role", said the Minister of Minerals and Energy Article taken from Allafrica.com and originally from BuaNews (Tshwane). 25 October 2007
24th-26th October Cape Town, South Africa
The Forum began with a one day event entitled “LP Gas for African Development”, bringing together key international agencies, relevant policy makers, important stakeholder groups and the LP Gas industry to examine how LP Gas can contribute significantly to development across Africa
During her opening address at the 20th World Liquid Petroleum Gas Forum being held in Cape Town, Minister of Minerals and Energy Buyelwa Sonjica said the theme of the forum, 'LPGas for African development', was very appropriate.
"Africa is home to 14 percent of the world population. Africa is rich in energy minerals and resources, with coal in southern Africa, oil and gas in North, West and Central Africa. Africa has 7 percent of the world oil resources. We produce 10 percent of total world output, but only consume 4 percent of the world's total annual consumption", she said. "Our continent has enough oil and gas resources to trade among its member countries, and then to export the remainder."
Low electricity access, the minister said, is clearly demonstrated by the fact that only 37.8 percent of the population having access to electricity in Africa, with 68 percent being in the urban areas."This clearly leaves Africa as a dark continent despite the fact that we boast huge resources of energy minerals," Ms Sonjica said, "Colleagues, ladies and gentlemen, energy consumption and economic growth are inextricably linked as energy is fundamental to the socio-economic development of our continent."
Ms Sonjica also said that innovative solutions were needed to address the challenges of energy poverty in Africa and that energy and poverty are inextricably linked. "There is a growing consensus that energy is central to reducing poverty and hunger, improving health and improving the lives of women and children generally.
"Sustainable development will only happen when energy poverty is tackled and the environment is protected," Ms Sonjica said, "Crucial to both is the expansion of clean, affordable and accessible energy. LPGas can play that role."
Read the full article here: http://allafrica.com/stories/200710250108.html
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