Chuks Oyema-Aziken
Nigerian has indicated interest in collaborating with World Wild Fund WWF on the management of the ten New National parks approved by President Muhammadu Buhari especially two designated Marine Protected Areas in Bayelsa State, south-south Nigeria.
Minister of State for Environment Sharon Ikeazor, disclosed this at the fifth United Nations Environment Assembly UNEA in Nairobi, Kenya.
Meanwhile, the Minister of State for Environment has reiterated federal government’s commitment to environmental sustainability in the country.
Sharon who led the Nigerian delegation to the Fifth United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA 5,2) in Nairobi, Kenya with the theme ‘Strengthening Actions for Nature to Achieve Sustainable Development Goals’ said the issue of environmental sustainability is critical to the development of any country in the world.Ikeazor, while delivering Nigeria’s Statement at the event said Nigeria has adopted various strategic approaches which includes the development and implementation of National Forest Policy aimed at promoting sustainable forest Management practices; National Policies on Plastic Waste management and Solid waste Management which supports and promote circular economy, Drought and Desertification Policy to actualise Land degradation neutrality and increase community resilience, among others.The Minister also reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to Global Environmental sustainability and achievement of the Country’s Nationally Determined Contribution’s (NDC) with 20% emissions reduction unconditionally and 47% emission reduction conditionally by 2030.She further stated that Nigeria has developed an Energy Transition Plan as a partway to achieve net zero by 2060. This is also in addition to the enactment of a climate change law in November, 2021 which provides a legal framework at Climate Change mitigation and adaptation.
In another engagement with the Egyptian Minister on Environment and COP 27 President, the minister discussed activities on the upcoming Cop27 at Egypt in November, 2022.The two Ministers also discussed the strengthening of Bilateral ties with both countries on environmental issues.
