Citizens of rural communities in Liberia’s southeastern counties of Sinoe, Grand Kru and RiverCess have overwhelmingly extolled the Sustainable Development Institute (SDI) for intensifying the awareness campaign on the Just Energy Transition (JET).
JET is about reducing fossil fuels in a way that it helps decrease inequality and ensure social and environmental justice.
SDI’s Team visited Sinoe, Grand Kru and RiverCess counties creating awareness on how to collectively help in stopping the use of fossil fuels and utilizing renewable energy sources.
Some of the communities visited include: Weteken town, Stalre, Garraway Beach, Andrew village in Grand Kru County. Others include: Geekloh, Karyloh town, Gbamkloh, Mahwah, Pumgba, Monger's town and Bloah in Sinoe County and Queh Town, Kandy Town and Zinc camp in RiverCess County.
The Team assessed the social and environmental impact of the danger of hydrocarbon and fossil fuels in these communities in vicinity of potential oil wells especially on their livelihoods.
Additionally, the awareness looked at the dangers of hydrocarbon extraction, the environmental impacts on marine ecosystem, just and equitable benefit sharing, participation and inclusion of affected communities, and Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) & accountability.
During the awareness in these communities, simplified flyers and other educative materials were distributed to communities and placed on structures in strategic locations for easy access.
These messages are reminding high-emitting companies and countries of the damages their actions having on the environment.
The Team wants clean energy solutions affordable and available. A just energy transition is necessary to provide them with the protections they need for the problems they did not cause.
Abram Natt, a citizen of Grand Kru County said “We don’t have ideas on how they extracting the oil, because we are not aware if they are extracting or not.”
Also speaking, Zechiaraiah Koffa said “Thank you to SDI through JET project for this great awareness and campaign, but I am asking SDI to continue engaging with the community because for me this is my first time hearing about such project and it is a good one, especially the energy aspect.”
Jefferson Gadeh said “Thank you, SDI we promise to work, with your team and we will carry the information in our various communities and I ask that you come in our communities and hold another meeting so other people can learn as well.”
John Koffa added by saying “We as community members this is our first time coming for such meeting and listening to all what you explained to us.”