Chuks Oyema-Aziken
The Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Nigeria, Mohamed Yahya, has commended the Nigeria government for various policies targeted at net zero carbon emission.
Yahya stated this at a Donor Roundtable/High level Inter-ministerial committee meeting on climate change in Abuja.
He noted that President Muhammadu Buhari and the Minister of State for Environment, Chief Sharon Ikeazor have achieved much by facilitating solid policy, regulatory and institutional frameworks that will guide Nigeria on the path towards a net zero carbon emission development and meeting its pledges in Glasgow last year.
According to him, the urgency and scale of the challenge requires broad based diverse partnerships.
He lauded the presence of the other Ministers present at the meeting, adding that this would make development co-operation more effective.
“This has sent a clear message about Nigeria’s readiness for climate business and the volume of investments that is required to successfully implement the Post COP 26 Roadmap, NDC Implementations, the Energy Transition Plan and in an inclusive fashion,” Yahya stated.
He noted that the revised NDC is only an initial leap toward progress.
“It is critical that commitments lead to action and means financing both the unconditional and conditional elements of NDCs.
He listed UNDP’s ongoing support to include Carbon market readiness plan, Climate Promise Phase 2 rollout, National Adaptation Plan projects, Stockholm +50 national consultations, The Energy Compact, and Regional Climate Security Programme. The UN official identified with the priorities highlighted by the Environment Minister of State in her opening remarks and those by the other Ministers in attendance, while restating UNDP’s commitment to facilitating country leadership and working with other partners to promoting effective, country-led partnerships for attainment of these national goals.
Yahya declared the UNDP’s support and reiterated the importance of COP27, describing it as as a onetime opportunity to develop and own a Nigerian/African narrative and showcase Nigeria and UNDP that can be counted upon as a partner in the journey ahead.
The meeting was organised to discuss the implementation of Nigeria’s Nationally Determined Contributors (NDCs), approved energy transition plan and other related climate issues.
