Environment
FG Wants EU‘s Support To Implement Climate Change Act, Environmental Policies
The Federal Government has called for European Unions‘ support to ensure effective implementation of Climate Change Act and other environmental policies to achieve a healthy environment in the country.
Alhaji Mohammed Abdullahi, Minister of Environment, made the call when Amb. Samuela Isopi, Head of the EU Delegation to Nigeria, paid him a courtesy visit in Abuja.
The Tide source reports that the President, Mohammadu Buhari signed the Climate Change Bill into law in November 2021.
The Act paves the way for environmental and economic accounting and a push for a net zero emission deadline plan in the country.
Abdullahi mentioned some of the environmental programmes already implemented and needed the support of the EU such as Climate Change Act, drought and desertification, energy transition planning, plastic waste management and illegal wildlife trading.
“ I am delighted to see you in this ministry because you always show this vibrancy about your job and have as well shown commitment to drive the agenda.
“The discussions we are having with the EU gives us opportunity to understand where we are taking off on the issues that concern planet which is where we are living.
“The presentations you made earlier and issues you raised which basically focused on climate change, energy transition planning and dialoguing on key programmes on the sector.
“Meanwhile, we had this legislation on climate change Act we are working towards implementation of the act.
“ We are trying to see how we can navigate around some challenges of inconsistencies in the act.
“We need the EU and other developed countries to support Nigeria as well as other African countries to address the challenges.
“So, we will need some legal cooperation from the EU, to bring expertise that will help us to implement the Act and other issues effectively,’’ he said.
Abdullahi said that Nigeria had started preparation of UN Climate Change Conference 2022 (UNFCCC COP 27), adding that the conference would be the 27th session and would take place in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt.
He said that Buhari made a strong commitment about meeting zero emission by 2060, adding that the ministry wanted to ensure that the effort was actualised through the EU assistance and other global intervention.
He said that the ministry, in collaboration with UN Office on Drug and Crime, had put in place National Strategy Policy to combat illegal wildlife trade and forest crimes in the country.
He added that the ministry was also working toward providing plans on how to tackle waste management, adding that various activities by people had severely raided the environment.
He said that the ministry collaborated with other relevant stakeholders, both in local and international, to ensure that environmental challenges were effectively tackled in the country.
“We are working hard to ensure that from South to North, West down to East have an environment that is friendly as well as making sure that our land will be cultivatable.
“We want to also make sure that people have access to clean water so that their livelihood will also be enhanced.
“I hope and have confidence that collaborating with the EU, we will be able to achieve our mandates effectively,’’ he said.
Earlier, Isopi said that the aim of the visit was to express the EU‘s commitment and support as well as strengthen its cooperation with Nigeria toward addressing various environmental challenges.
She said that the EU was working on important framework on political dialogue with Nigeria and the need to continue with such idea for efficient implementation of programmes and policies in the country.
“I want the cooperation to continue with the ministry of environment to enable us tackle climate change, energy transaction and other environmental issues.
“These issues are centre of our cooperation in Nigeria, whereby, we are already having a lot of dialogue with Nigeria.
“Last week, we had a first section of this sectorial dialogue and the ministry was represented, we had a good preliminary discussions on these issues and it was a progressive meeting.
“We hope that the effort will give a better result on those issues we are discussing, we really hope that we can continue the dialogue with Nigeria delegations and EU expertise.
“The dialogue will help us as we are trying to see how together we can work to support Nigeria in the implementation of those priorities.
The ambassador said that the EU had also engaged with public sectors in addressing renewable energy, adding that such involvement would help in addressing environmental issues.
She, however, assured that the EU would ensure that it provided strategy to support in combating illegal wildlife trade, forest crime and other environmental crises in the country. (NAN)
The Lagos State Government has commenced installation of new pumps at the Iju Headworks and Akute water intake stations.
The Tide source reports that the project is aimed at increasing water production, improving operational efficiency and expanding access to potable water across the state.
A statement issued by the Lagos Water Corporation (LWC) over the weekend said the project was approved and funded by the state government.
It said the installation was part of the rehabilitation of the Iju Headworks and Akute Intake Station under Lots 1, 2 and 3.
According to LWC, the rehabilitation is designed to modernise water production facilities, strengthen operations and improve public water supply.
The Network of Female Professionals in Water, Sanitation and Hygiene in Nigeria (FEMinWASH) and the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF) are set to partner on gender-responsive systems strengthening, capacity development and WASH initiatives.
The partnership was proposed during a courtesy visit by a FEMinWASH delegation, led by its President and Convener, Dr Boluwaji Onabolu, to the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Didi Walson-Jack, in Abuja.
Onabolu, who conveyed greetings from FEMinWASH Patron, retired Engineer Ebele Okeke, commended Walson-Jack for upholding the Federal Civil Service’s EPIC values of Efficient, Productive, Incorruptible and Citizen-centred leadership.
She praised the HoCSF’s efforts in advancing gender inclusion in WASH and the civil service, including the development of the National Gender in Water Resources Mainstreaming Policy and mentoring programmes for women leaders.
Onabolu also highlighted the INSPIRE (Inclusive Network for Supporting Progressive Leadership, Innovation, Reform and Equity for Women) programme, aimed at strengthening women’s leadership and inclusion.
She said FEMinWASH was seeking a formal partnership and Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the OHCSF to support INSPIRE, WASH advocacy, capacity building and the institutionalisation of Gender-Responsive Budgeting across the Federal Civil Service.
Responding, Walson-Jack commended the diverse expertise of the FEMinWASH delegation, noting that professionals in WASH, water resources, environment, public health, town planning and education were critical to addressing development challenges.
She welcomed the proposed partnership, assuring that the OHCSF was ready to collaborate with FEMinWASH on civil service strengthening and WASH-related initiatives.
The meeting agreed to further engagements with Dr Garba, Permanent Secretary (Special Duties), and Ms Funke Baruwa, Lead for Partnerships at the OHCSF, to advance the collaboration.
The visit ended with a photo session and exchange of gifts between both parties.
The Special Adviser on Environment, Mr Olakunle Rotimi-Akodu, commended the community on the massive turn-out for sanitation.
He also appreciated the chairman and his team for their support to the ministry.
Rotimi-Akodu urged the community to continue to support the council and by extension, the government, by participating in the exercise and engaging in proper disposal of wastes.
“We have heard your appeal, and I assure you that Lagos government will do something about it.
“Although we have PSP operators in this axis, maybe they were assigned to other areas.
“However, I will ensure something is done and residents will observe the improvement.” the advisor said.
Also, the Managing Director, Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LASMA), Mr Muyiwa Gbadegesin, said that waste management was a collective exercise.
Gbadegbesin, therefore, appealed to the residents to always dispose of their wastes properly.
“You must bag your waste at home. Make sure you have a bin to keep the waste for few days, even if there is a delay by the PSP operator.
“Make sure you pay your PSP operator on time because there is no way they can provide that service if you are not paying them regularly.
The Non Governmental Organization (NGO) Go Green Nigeria Foundation, , has called for more stringent government efforts toward prohibition of illegal sand mining in Rivers, following erosion threats.
The founder of NGO Dr John Babington made the call on last Monday in Umuechem, Etche Local Government Area of Rivers, to commemorate the International Day for the Conservation of Mangrove Ecosystems.
Babington, who sensitised the community on dangers associated with crude sand mining, donated some trees as part of efforts to promote tree planting and revitalisation of the altered mangrove ecosystem.
During an interactive session with the community, the environmental expert identified various concerns and commended residents for their willingness to work together to end the excavation.
He, however, dismissed the notion that illegal sand mining was due to poverty and unemployment, saying, ”the business is a capital intensive venture that could only be operated by a rich cartel.”
He said that though the business might have provided menial jobs for few youths, it had not in any manner addressed poverty.
Presently, the landscape is altered with an artificial river encroaching a major access road and threatening public safety,” he said.
Also speaking, a senior Chief in the community, Chief Gilbert Otamiri commended the NGO for the initiative and promised to collaborate with them.
Gilbert, however, urged the government to tackle unemployment which, he said, was a major promoter of the illegal excavation
Also speaking, The Community Development Chairman (CDC) Mr Agbam Mgbechi thanked the group for the sensitisation and donation of trees.
He called on the government and concerned induviduals to emulate the group by making efforts towards salvaging the area from further environmental damage.
-
City Crime12 hours agoTinubu Appoints Ex-Tide Staff Registrar Of Chartered Chemists
-
Business16 hours ago
PTDF Committed To Tinubu’s Development Plan – CEO
-
Education17 hours ago
Environmental Education Remains Critical Tool To Address Environmental Challenges Says Experts
-
Oil & Energy16 hours ago
Civil Society Demands Accountability over N60Billion AKS Oil Producing Communities
-
News17 hours ago
Court Hears ATROMPCON Leadership Suit Today
-
News16 hours agoPolice Nab Kidnap Syndicate, Arrest Five In Rivers
-
Sports15 hours agoRivers-born Chess Player Clinches Third Position At World Amateur Rapid Chess Championship
-
Business16 hours ago
NMDPRA, NUPRC To Strengthen Domestic Crude Supply Chain ………, Says Nigeria’s Refining Capacity Hits 1.25 Million bpd