The National Council on Environment (NCE) is currently meeting in Abuja to brainstorm on sectoral challenges and opportunities in Nigeria.
Speaking at the opening session of the 15th meeting of the council with the theme “Appraisal of the emerging challenges and opportunities in the environment sector: A call for action towards the Environment of our dream”, today (October 20) in Abuja, the permanent secretary, Ministry of Environment, Engr. Hassan Musa, lamented that the widespread unhealthy and degenerating human activities have led to deforestation, unprecedented global warming, loss of bio-diversity, climate change, flooding, plastic and air pollution amongst others, have sent the topography of our environment on a downward spiral.
“To further buttress the importance of the subject of this council meeting, it is clear that the environment sector cuts across nine areas of importance set out by this administration – building a thriving and sustainable economy, enhancing social inclusion and poverty reduction, enlarging agricultural output for food security and export, as well as attaining energy sufficiency in power and petroleum products amongst others. To achieve these goals, we must develop flexible and effective mechanisms to enable all actors involved participate effectively and efficiently.
“More importantly, political will and support are required to mobilise the expertise, technical know-how and financial resources which are vital determinants to ensure the delivery of the desired change,” he said.
Musa pointed out the need for the council to critically examine the prevailing environmental challenges, underscoring the need for the council not to lose sight of the emerging opportunities which can be harnessed by designing and implementing standard operating procedures, providing technical support for environmental remediation projects, designing programmes and processes for a cleaner environment and ensure sustainable environmental planning and the conservation of natural resources.
“Furthermore, the commitment to finding lasting solutions to the restoration and sustenance of our ecosystem is being assiduously executed through the mandate of the Great Green Wall, waste management, watershed management, renewable energy, eco-tourism, green bond, afforestation/reforestation programmes, implementation of UNEP report on the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) and Environmental Impact assessment to preserve the environment for sustainable development,” he added.
