The Minister of Environment, Mallam Balarabe Abbas Lawal has assured stakeholders of his commitment to mitigate all environmental challenges nationwide.
Balarà be stated this recently in Abuja at the third Quarter Citizens and Stakeholders Engagement on the achievements of the Ministry’s projects and programmes under the Ministerial Deliverables since the inception of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR’s administration May, 2023.
The Minister said the event was meant to roll out the major achievements of the Ministry, implementation of Policies, Programs and Projects for environment sustainability, climate resilience and economic development in Nigeria such as National Adaptation Program (NAP), Reducing Emission from Deforestation, Forest Degradation, Green Bond Program and host of others.
Balarabe used the meeting to highlight the strategic initiatives undertaken by the ministry, challenges encountered and the way forward in achieving a greener and more sustainable future for the Country inline with the Renewed Hope Agenda of Mr. President.
Some of the interventions of the Ministry include Planting of 10 million trees nationwide in collaboration with Forestry Dept, NAGGW and ACReSAL to ensure biodiversity, combat deforestation and desertification.
He further noted that the Ministry is in collaboration with Ministry of Justice, Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) and the United Nation Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) with a view to enhance enforcement of environmental laws.
Also, Balarabe revealed that the Ministry established 195km shelter belts in 8 Northern States, Constructed over 4602 solar street lights, distributed 6600 improved super safer cooking stoves and 130 safer pressured pumps to discourage deforestation in rural communities.
In addition, issuance of 95 percent accuracy of flood early warning alert in every 5 days through automated web based flood early warning system nationwide, execution of 238 flood major gully erosion control projects across the country.
The Ministry further Launched Agroforestry project by signing Memorandum of Understanding (Mou) with Republic of Cameroon and cooperation framework agreement on trans-boundary ecosystem conservation and sustainable management of Forestry and wildlife research, distribution of 5253 mini solar systems in various communities across 11 frontline states.
The Ministry also commissioned 13 operational water treatment stations in Ogoni land, 100 beds specialist hospital and 40 in Buan cottage hospital at 95 percent completion to address health related issues in Ogoni land under HYPREP project to mention but a few.
The Director of Environmental Assessment, Mrs Odetoro urged Nigerian’s to forward their views regarding the environmental impact on any construction of projects in their locality before the Ministry issued EIAC.
The Director of Information and Public Relations, Ibrahim Haruna Called on Nigerians at home and in diaspora to follow up the achievements of the environmental sector via the Ministry’s website www.fmenv.gov.ng and the Federal government portal, www.nigeria.gov.ng for more information on Environment and other sectors in the Country.
Mrs. Agnes Aneke, Director of Planning Research and Statistic Dept. in her closing remarks thanked all stakeholders, donor partners, citizens for their support, honouring the invitation and assured that the Ministry will ensure a healthier and cleaner environmental sustainability nationwide.
Signed
Mudasiru M A
AD, Press
For: Director of Information and Public Relations
