The Nigerian government has pledged its readiness to tackle the environmental challenges in the country in order to ensure a safer environment for all persons.
Speaking in Abuja at the 2016 annual conference of the Nigerian Environmental Society, the Minister of Environment, Amina Mohammed says the government remains committed to diversifying the nation’s economy by reclaiming deserts for agricultural purpose.
The Minister informed the gathering of the federal government’s resolve to tackle issues of environmental challenges in addition to diversifying the nation’s economy.
“As you are all aware, this administration is highly committed to addressing issues concerning our environment. The federal ministry of environment is driving a new narrative of empowering people, taking climate action and protecting the environment as a whole and it also remains one of the key pillars of the change agenda of this administration”.
The president of the Nigerian Environmental Society, Professor Lawrence Ezemonye, takes advantage of the occasion to appeal to the National Assembly to hasten the passage of the institute of environmental practice bill in order to address issues of quackery in the profession.
“We seek the support of the federal government, the National Assembly, stakeholders and all present today to support the passage into law, the bill for the Institute of Environmental Practitioners of Nigeria. This is what we are looking for. This is our plight.”
The British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr Paul Arkwright, called for a global synergy that will ensure the protection of the environment for generations unborn as he announces the financial commitment of Britain to the fight against climate change.
“As of September 2015, 62 million UK pounds from the UK’s Global Environmental Fund and Clean Technology had been put to projects in Nigeria to support adaptation and the wider fight against climate change.”
Although environmental challenges are said to be huge, the annual conference of the Nigerian Environmental Society is expected to produce a road map that will guarantee the protection of the environment and the promotion of a green economy.
