The Federal Ministry of Environment has highlighted key plans towards mobilising collective action to achieve President Bola Tinibu’s Renewed Hope Agenda (RHA).
Mr Iziaq Salako, Minister of State in the ministry disclosed this on Thursday during a top Management Retreat held at Fifth Chukker Resort, Kaduna.
The Retreat had the theme, “Policy Embedment and Prioritisation of Key Action for Renewed Hope in Environmental Management”.
Salako said considering the deliverables, the ministry would target on some thematic issues that include: Development and Implementation of a capacity building programme on climate financing with allied institutions or agencies.
”Accelerate the implementation of the Ogboni clean up, reclaim brown fields (contaminated) and grey fields (abandoned) into sustainable livelihoods support systems across the country.
”Also; Issuance of Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESA) permits to proposed major development projects in all sectors, accelerate the review of the NOSDRA Act 2006.
”This is to address the environmental and economic consequences of oil spillage, Ensure the security of Nigeria’s protected and conserved areas.”
According to Salako, others include the implementation of the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) programme, effectively implementing afforestation measures in the frontline states to mitigate the effects of desertification and erosion control measures across the country.
Also highlighted were; Issuance of National Sovereign Green Bond for selected green projects in the annual appropriation, increase promotion of sustainable forest management practices nationwide and implement the Circular Economy Roadmap.
The minister further mentioned key areas including; ”Ensure safe deployment of modern biotechnologies and new breeding techniques in agriculture, increase compliance monitoring and enforcement activities/programmes to ensure compliance with extant environmental laws and standard.
According to Slako, thi is to promote accountability in public delivery and Initiate and Implement quarterly citizens and stakeholders engagement sessions to communicate government activities and services as feedback mechanisms.
He, however, urged Nigerians to imbibe the culture of tree planting, reduce air travels, reduce consumption of animal products and be less destructive to nature during construction.
He said, “During construction, I will personally ensure that at least 30 per cent of the land area will be set aside for nature.
“These are messages Nigerians need to imbibe and if we do these, the challenges of; flooding, desertification, erosion and bigger challenges of climate change will be more comprehensively addressed,” Salako added. (NAN)
By Moses Kolo/Bashir Rabe Mani
