brahim Usman Jubril
The Nigerian government has pledged to up hold the tenets of Paris agreement on climate change despite United States withdrawal.The Minister of State for Environment, Ibrahim Jibril who spoke on the up-coming World Environment Day, stated that 190 countries signed the agreement and if America decided to back out of the pact, it may not affect the agreement.
He explained, Nigeria would reduce emissions by 20 per cent by 2030; implement its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), as well as strengthen climate change policy strategy.
“So, there is no way for Nigeria to run away from climate change deal, rather, we are committed and will face it fully. US cannot force any government, but for us to withdraw from it will spell doom for millions of Nigerians.”
“We intend to deliver these in pursuant of United Nations’ 2030 Development Agenda through implementation of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and Economy Recovery and Growth Plan, ERGP, and the ministry is reposition for restoration of Niger Delta, Lake Chad Basin in North East.”
According to him, we still have power bloc like China, Russia, India, Africa and others have globally resolved to push on with Paris pact, maintaining that we may not follow US thinking and without her the agreement will be implemented.
The minister also observed that key objective of the celebration is to raise global awareness on environmental issues. “We want to raise global awareness about the importance of healthy and green environment in human lives as well as solving environmental issues by implementing positive actions and make the public know that everyone is responsible for saving our environment,” he added.
To Jibril, to actualize the vision, we must be ready and prepared to act together collectively and with a united front, strong determination, we shall find innovative solutions to ecological and social problems in the country.
He further said the government is working assiduously to address the concern of climate change, drought and desertification, biodiversity loss, deforestation, land degradation and management, flood, erosion, pollution, sanitation and waste management.
“We are optimistic that in our collective resolve to tackle head-on myriad of environmental challenges confronting six geopolitical zones, we should be able to unlock the investment opportunities towards achieving economic recovery and sustainable development in Nigeria,” he added.
[ad_2]
Guardian
