Prof. Nasiru Idris, Dean, Faculty of Environmental Science, Nasarawa State University, Keffi has urged the Federal Government to to find solutions to the country’s environmental problems.
Idris alleged that Nigeria seems to be doing less than expected in this regard despite being a party to several international environmental treaties
and conventions.
Idris made the allegation on Thursday in Abuja while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria on the state of the Nigerian environment 60 years after independence.
“Since the 1960s, Nigeria is a party to some treaties and conventions that have produced excellent goals but in practice they have done little to actually address environmental problems in the country as we still experience serious and diverse environmental problems.
“Nigeria is a large country and is highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change and the country’s fragile economy makes the local ability to respond difficult.
“Nigeria will be mostly affected by the impacts of climate change through rising sea level along her coastline, intensified desertification, erosion and flooding disasters and general land degradation.
“Remember, the World Bank report had estimated that Nigeria was losing about 5.1 billion US dollars per annum to environmental degradation, in the face of poor mitigation measures and initiatives.
“Therefore, Nigeria has a lot to do to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and we have less than 10 years to achieve that, ” he said.
Idris called on President Muhammadu Buhari to note that climate change issues should be beyond just a department under the Federal Ministry of Environment.
He advised that a Technical and Advisory Committee of Experts to the President on Climate Change Actions be immediately constituted.
“This committee will play significant roles in the implementation of Paris Agreement towards achieving not only climate change issues but also the SDGs by 2030,” Idris said.
The don called for harmonisation of environmental and public policies, promotion of environmental mainstreaming, integration of the United Nations Framework Convention to Combat Climate Change (UNFCCC) issues, into programmes and strategies of government.
“The programme should also include mitigation and adaptation, mainstreaming of climate change into development planning at all scales, levels and sectors and investment in research and development,” Idris said.
Edited By: Razak Owolabi
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