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Angola: Bio-Fuels Production is No Harm to Crops - Deputy Minister
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Angola Press Agency (Luanda)
17 May 2008
Posted to the web 19 May 2008
New York
Production of bio-fuels in Angola is not harmful to the cultivation and harvesting of crops.
This was said Thursday in New York by Angolan deputy minister of Urbanisation and Environment, Mota Liz, when addressing the 16th session of the UN Commission for Sustainable Development.
The Angolan government official explained that a total of 500,000 hectares can be designated for the production of bio-fuels in Angola. This represents less than two percent of about 35 million hectares of arable land, with no hazard to the areas that are to be used for growing crops.
After stressing that he was aware of the current controversy about the production of bio-fuels, Mota Liz explained that the Angolan government understands that this activity can significantly contribute to the reduction of unemployment, since thousands of direct and indirect jobs can be created, which will also cause the improvement of income of people in rural areas.
However, he admitted that despite the progress made in the field of sustainable development, matters relating to climate changes, drought and desertification in Africa continue to be factors that are obstacles to development, and, as a result, hinder the expansion of agriculture and betterment of people's living standards.
As to Angola, he said that after the achievement of peace the government has been making a series of economic and legislative reforms aiming at macroeconomic stability, with satisfactory results, which can be noted in the current growth rate of the country.
The deputy minister pointed out some of the programmes that the Angolan government has been implementing, such as the expansion of services like education, health, promotion of adequate housing, drinking water, electricity and basic sanitation to the rural zones, aiming at eradicating poverty.
There are other actions turned to the fight against desertification, deforestation, also issues relating to climate changes, rehabilitation and extension of drinking water supply systems, among other projects.
On the other hand, he assured that the government will continue to improve the mechanisms to bring economic operators to accountability, for any damages they may cause to the environment and for promoting an irrational exploration of natural resources.
He also reasserted that the Angolan government will continue to stick to principles like good governance, continuing to strengthen institutional and organisational mechanisms that secure transparency and efficiency in government action.
Mota Liz concluded his speech with an appeal for the reversal of the current world framework, through concrete programmes that meet the needs of the most affected countries, with a view to moving towards the fulfilment of the Millennium Development Goals.
The 16th session of the UN Commission for Sustainable Development started May 5 and ended last Friday.
The event analysed matters relating to agriculture, rural development, land, drought, desertification, climate changes, among other issues.
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The Angolan delegation comprises officials and technicians from the ministries of Foreign Affairs, Urbanisation and Environment, Agriculture and Rural Development, Energy and Waters.
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