{"id":47521,"date":"2022-11-09T06:00:50","date_gmt":"2022-11-09T06:00:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.climatechangenews.com\/?p=47521"},"modified":"2022-11-10T15:17:31","modified_gmt":"2022-11-10T15:17:31","slug":"cop27-bulletin-meet-africas-biggest-gas-fan","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.climatechangenews.com\/2022\/11\/09\/cop27-bulletin-meet-africas-biggest-gas-fan\/","title":{"rendered":"Cop27 bulletin: Meet Africa’s\u00a0biggest gas fan"},"content":{"rendered":"

The UN teaming up with an oil and gas lobbyist would\u00a0raise a few\u00a0eyebrows. How about a convicted fraudster and alleged money launderer?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Njock Ayuk Eyong, better known as NJ Ayuk, is fronting a UN-backed alliance called Team Energy Africa<\/a>\u00a0to unlock private investment in “clean” energy, bring electricity to 600 million Africans and spur economic development.<\/p>\n

The UN Economic Commission for Africa (Uneca) and Sustainable Energy for All (SEforAll) are behind the initiative.<\/p>\n

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NJ Ayuk (Pic: Wikimedia Commons<\/a>)<\/p><\/div>\n

The Cameroonian-born lawyer describes himself on his\u00a0website<\/a>\u00a0as \u201can internationally-acclaimed thought leader, lawyer, thinker, speaker and entrepreneur, who advises major companies on corporate strategies with a focus on investing in Africa\u2019s future\u201d.<\/p>\n

But behind Ayuk\u2019s slick appearance and gushing marketing prospectus is a murkier past.<\/p>\n

In 2007, Ayuk\u00a0pleaded guilty<\/a>\u00a0to illegally using a US congressman’s stationery and signature stamp to obtain visas to the US for 11 people from Cameroon. He was sentenced to 18 months\u2019 probation and expelled from the country.<\/p>\n

In connection with law firm Centurion Law Group<\/a>, which\u00a0brokers oil and gas deals<\/a>\u00a0across the continent, he was investigated for money laundering by Ghana\u2019s central bank.<\/p>\n

At Cop27, Ayuk is on a mission for gas deals<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cDrill baby drill: that should be Africa\u2019s message to the world. If you want to solve energy poverty, gas baby gas,\u201d Ayuk\u00a0told Africa Energy Week in South Africa last month<\/a>. \u201cWe need to go to Cop27, backing up our energy producers. We should not be apologizing for our energy sector.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ayuk did not respond to a request for comment at time of publication.<\/p>\n

Jean Paul Adam, climate director at Uneca, said the commission\u00a0“is working with a range of private-sector partners to support this initiative. The major focus of these investments will be in renewable energy.”<\/p>\n

Tracey Crowe, senior director at SEforAll, said: \u201cWe do not support any view that does not champion a sustainable energy transition.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Today at #COP27<\/a> Alaa Abd El Fattah’s sister Sana was speaking at a press briefing addressing the unjust incarceration of her brother and demanding his immediate release
\nShe was confronted directly by an Egyptian government rep who had to be escorted out by UN security #FreeAlaa<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/Xm28c9IHKy<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Dharini (@dharinipart) November 8, 2022<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n