House C’ttee Bemoans N8.1bn Budget to Fight Climate Change

The House of Representatives Committee on Climate Change has lamented that the N8.1 billion budget proposal to fight climate change is inadequate considering the level of challenges experienced by the country.

Speaking during the budget defense session of the Ministry of Environment in Abuja recently, the Chairman, Hon. Sam Onuigbu noted that the havoc caused by climate change requires more serious commitment from the Federal Government, including funds and efforts. The Ministry’s budget proposal for capital projects to combat climate change includes 31 projects in all six geo-political zones with 27 projects amounting to N2.3 billion.

Four projects are proposed to be implemented by the totaling Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria (FRIN) and National Agency for Great Green Wall (NAGGW) amounting to N1.465 billion.

“When you juxtapose Nigeria’s investments of N8 billion against investments in climate change activities by our peers, Nigerian’s investment pales into insignificance.

“We have responsibility to meet our Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC’s) and demonstrate to the world that we are a serious nation that is always prepared to match President Buhari’s signing of the Paris Agreement on September 22, 2016 and other lofty declarations at different global meetings with veritable practical actions at home,” Onuigbu said. The Chairman accused some ministries of paying lip service to the efforts against climate change, despite the commitment made by Nigeria at the Paris declaration.

“They give the impression they are with the President in combating the negative effects of climate change and they follow him to sign agreements and treaties, but never show up when you call them to explain what they are doing about the threat,” he said.

He however commended the proposed launch of a $20 billion Green Bond Climate finance package in March 2017 targeted at sustainable development for the country, describing it as a step in the right direction.

The devastating effects of climate change, offer immense investment opportunities, which can be unlocked through the bonds, in both private and public sector, he added.

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Mr. Bukar Hassan, spoke on the process of issuance of the Sovereign Green Bonds, adding that there is a need to also strengthen and enforce regulatory functions.

“…increase efforts to reclaim the desert through a new and improved Great Green Wall strategy and establish new initiatives for ensuring green and clean environment through atonal campaigns, tree planting, sanitation and public toilets,” he said.