The Minister of Environment, Barr. Mohammed Abdullahi has inaugurated the board of agencies and institutions at the Ministry of Environment headquarters in Abuja.
The board members were appointed to help achieve the mandate of the ministry, which includes securing a quality environment that is conducive to the health and well-being of citizens, promoting sustainable use of natural resources, restoring and maintaining the ecosystem and preserving biodiversity.
Abdullahi explained that the agencies and institutions were established by enabling laws to implement various policies and programmes aimed at promoting a sustainable environment and preserving the biodiversity of the ecosystem. The ministry’s vision is to ensure that Nigeria develops in harmony with its environment, while its mission is to ensure environmental protection and natural resources conservation for sustainable development.
The minister charged the newly inaugurated board members to bring their experiences in taking critical decisions, especially those that have to do with the overall mandate of the ministry. He also emphasized the need for the board members to work in synergy and cooperation with those saddled with the day-to-day running of the agencies and institutions.
The role of the governing boards is to drive general policy formulation for the implementation of the management teams of these agencies. The general principle is that board members are not involved in the day-to-day running of the agencies, except for chairmen and members who are statutorily saddled with executive functions.
Abdullahi called on stakeholders in the environment to work with the newly inaugurated board to ensure a desirable and sustainable environment for Nigeria.
In his response, the chairman of the National Oil Spill Detection and Research Agency and the Emir of Keffi, Alhaji Shehu Yamusa III pledged to discharge his duties to the best of his abilities.
In conclusion, the inauguration of the board members of agencies and institutions in the Ministry of Environment is a step towards promoting a sustainable environment and preserving biodiversity in Nigeria.
With the experience and expertise of the newly inaugurated board members, the ministry can achieve its mandate of securing a quality environment conducive to good health and well-being of citizens, the minister said.
