Minister of Environment, Amina Mohammed has reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to sustainable use and management of the environment in the fight against poverty and food security.The Minister said this on Thursday 4th February, 2016, in her office in Mabushi, Abuja, when a business delegation from Finland led by the Finnish Deputy Minister for External Economic Relations, Mr. Matti Anttonen paid her a courtesy visit.
In order to foster this commitment, the Minister declared the Ministry requires a cooperative business approach between the Federal government and the private sector.
She disclosed that the Ministry was putting together a new and an aggressive framework and platform geared towards tackling the challenges posed by climate change such as desertification, waste management etc.
Amina Mohammed said that though, climate change is a serious challenge to sustainable development, it can be mitigated with concerted human efforts and the right technology in place.
She stated that government is fully aware that pollutants are often closely associated with greenhouse emissions; hence, the federal government is seeking to partner with the private sector to move away from the use of fossil fuel to renewable energy.
According to her, in spite of the encouraging progress being recorded by the President Mohammadu Buhari led administration in the fight against Boko Haram and Corruption, unfortunately, land degradation, deforestation, pollution, inadequate access to clean water and poor sanitary conditions have continued to threaten sustainable development and undermine the sustainable socio-economic development in the country, thereby encouraging social vices including insurgency.
“Over the years, as awareness of the stakes has increased, the government resolve to combat the menace of climate change has also strengthened.”
“Government is very receptive and open to interested investors both within the country and from the international business community on sustainable development through research, sustained awareness creation campaign that will help inform the populace. “She added.
Earlier in his address head of delegation, and Deputy Minister for External Economic Relations of the ministry of Foreign Affairs of Finland Mr. Matti Anttoneu told Nigeria’s Minister that his delegation was in the country to seek collaboration in areas of economic development beneficial to environmental sustainability.
The Deputy Minister who led a 10-man delegation brought business proposals bothering on transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy, environmental health, communication technology, solar power, and waste management.
Ovuakporie Efe
For: DD (Press)
