BY DANIEL ALEMAYEHU
One of the burning issues in the contemporary world is the demand of energy. Countries in their own ways have been trying to answer the energy demand of their citizens.
In the current situation, crude oil takes the lion’s share in relation to providing energy to the world. Countries, especially the Arab world, that are known for their petroleum supply have benefited a lot. On the other part, countries with the demand have been losing billions of dollars to purchase the source of energy.
With lots of unanswered economic issues, African countries carry the shackle of debts in order to survive. It is open to identify the existed potential that the African Continent has. Most importantly, the world does not forget that Africa is the source of most of the resources that the world needs. The saddest part is the continent is leading the life of poverty and unable to give response to the queries that its people ask. The people of the continent have done little to change the natural resources to energies and other incomes. This does not mean that the people have no interest to change their lives, rather there are numerous reasons why the situation in this state.
Nowadays, using natural resources has become a way out to solve the energy crisis. Recently, it was reported by several media outlets that countries in Europe have faced shortage of energy due to the side they take and support in Russia- Ukraine war as Russia is the major supplier of energy for European counties and the world. Not only the European countries have experienced the heat of inflation and energy crisis, but countries like Ethiopia have also shared the pain. In this regard, the world needs a gear shifter to cope up with the upcoming challenges in energy and developing climate change resilient economy.
Most nations and international organizations have been working on climate changes and have called the people of the world to stand together and make the globe a favorable planet to live in. Across the globe, responsible stakeholders take their part and started applying a number of mechanisms to achieve their goals on climate changes.
In the Ethiopian context, the country is blessed with both tangible and intangible attractions coupled with natural resources. The nation is also mentioned as the water tower of Africa as the nation is a hub of many local and trans- boundary water bodies such as the longest river in the world, Blue Nile or Abay.
Such natural resources could be the way out for the need of energy supplies. In recent development, the nation has been certified by owning seven trillion cubic feet natural gas. This resource has recently been discovered and will make the nation one of the top suppliers in the near future. This needs time to bless the people of Ethiopia with its fruit of success. In addition, there are other means to develop the nation’s own energy. One of it is using electric power in exchange of fuel.
One of the major energy consumer industries is the transportation industry. As every economy of a nation is dependent on the means of transportation, the sector needs sufficient energy. Every means of transportation uses fuel so that countries must come up with better economic strategies to answer the demand or they must find a solution. The government of Ethiopia has been working on implementing green economy and use of its natural resources. This path shows the nation’s bright future as a result of the country is aggressively working on ensuring safe environment.
Technologically developed countries have been trying to invent new ideas to make life easy and lovely. Ethiopia has also worked on applying new technologies in the country. The best example is the introduction of electric vehicles and how the government of Ethiopia supports the idea.
In various occasions, the government has shown its support for technologically updated transportation system. It was reported that the government lifts different types of taxes to motivate vehicle importers choose electric cars over fuel consuming ones. Such decisions are very important for the country’s economy as the nation spends billions of dollars in purchasing fuel.
Lately, there was a panel discussion on ‘promoting electric- based healthy transport’ in Bahir Dar University Technology Institute. On the event, Transport and Logistics Minister Dagmawit Moges stated that the government is applying a number of mechanisms to build an economy that is resilient to the climate change. The government is working on addressing electric- based transport and logistics services.
In multiple scenarios and reports, people have heard about natural and man- made disasters. It is important to remember that the cause of those catastrophes is mainly the climate change. To support the above idea, the Minister disclosed that due to climate change, the world is suffering from drought, flood and other calamities.
The Minister also said that the transport and logistics sector relied on fuel. This is one of the causes for climate changes. In the coming ten years, as to Dagmawit, the Ministry has implemented incentivized system that promotes importing electric based public transport vehicles.
Bahir Dar University has also taken its responsibility in promoting and expanding electric based transportation system. To support the nation’s goal, the university has formed a curriculum to train the necessary skilled man power for the sector. Such actions are highly appreciated, noted Dagmawit.
Bahir Dar University President, Frew Tegegne (PhD) on his part, the university is operating to train skilled and competent man power using researched ways. By the same token, Athlete and entrepreneur Haile Gebresilassie noted that the practice of producing and assembling electric vehicles in Ethiopia is the best path to curb crises related to climate change. This path creates a room for countries to set themselves free from fuel dependency.
According to Haile, even the developed countries have turned their attention to the development of renewable energy. With its dams, winds, and geothermal energy capacities, Ethiopia should work on promoting and addressing electric vehicles. Electric vehicles bring solutions to hold back the government from spending much money on fuel importation. Besides, the car owners will save their money, time and other inconveniences.
Furthermore, Haile reminded that his company, Marathon Motors, has understood the potential earlier and it has been assembling electric vehicles. Regarding increasing electric charge centers, the company has worked with other electric vehicle import companies in the sector in order to lifting up the service.
“We have no other choice other than using electric vehicles,” said Haile. The actions taken regarding lifting taxes show the determination of the government to flourish the sector. The entrepreneur has also mentioned prominent problems that become hurdles for the sector such as power and foreign currency shortages.
The Ethiopian Herald October 2/2022
