Chuks Oyema-Aziken
The Ag. National Project Coordinator, NEWMAP and ACReSAL, Engr. Ayuba Anda Yalaks has met with the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Transportation, Dr. Magdalene N. Ajani on how to reduce atmospheric pollution and GHG emission from fossil fuel; combat climate change and promote low carbon, climate resilient development in the transport sector.
During the meeting at the Federal Ministry of Transportation, the Ag. National Project Coordinator, NEWMAP and ACReSAL, handed over Implementation-ready Strategy Development for Adoption of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Based Transportation System in Nigeria’s Urban Cities report to the Permanent Secretary.
The Ag. NPC informed his hosts that the Federal Executive Council approved the implementation of the National Action Plan (NAP) to reduce short-lived Climate Pollutants (SLCP) in which the Federal Ministry of Transportation (FMT) was vested with the responsibility of coordinating the implementation of the mitigation measures.
He said that following that approval, the then Hon Minister of State, Gbemisola R. Bukolar approached the then Hon. Minister of Environment, Hon. Dr Mohammad Mahmood Abubakar requested for support and partnership to develop a strategy for the Adoption of Compress Natural Gas (CNG) Based Transportation System in the Country.
According to the Ag. NPC, considering that NEWMAP is a World Bank, supported project, (in its component 3) is supporting Nigeria government to address climate change responses with the objective to strengthen Nigeria’s capacity to promote low carbon, climate resilient development, Hon Minister of Environment directed NEWMAP to partner with and support the Federal Ministry of Transportation with the development of strategy for the adoption and use of CNG based Transportation System; with pilot in Nigeria’s Urban Cities and which could thereafter be adopted for the entire country.
While presenting the strategy document to the Permanent Secretary, he stated that it is ready and timely even with the launching of the Energy Transition Plan by the President where the document will play a key role as proposed. In summary he said that the road-map strategy document amongst other core objectives will help reduce atmospheric pollution and GHG emission from fossil fuel; combat climate change and promote low carbon, climate resilient development.
In her speech, the Permanent Secretary appreciated the efforts of the NEWMAP team for the development of the implementation-ready report.
She informed the delegation that the report will definitely help to combat the adverse effect of climate change in Nigeria considering that the implementation plan is also contained in the report.
She assured the NEWMAP and ACReSAL team of the Ministry’s continuous support and collaboration on GHG emission and other environmental issues.
