Investing in Environment Sector Will Increase Sources of Income in Nigeria, Says Jibril

The Minister of State for Environment, Ibrahim Usman Jibril has said that the Nigeria’s economy would improve considerably if the government invests in the nation’s environment sector.

“With proper harnessing and leveraging on our natural resources the root of our economic recovery will be faster when we consciously support the green economy by investing in the environment sector to increase other sources of revenue in the Nigeria economy.”

The minister state this at a press conference in Abuja, ahead of the on-going 11th National Council on Environment in Abeokuta, Ogun State, which began yesterday and will end tomorrow.

Jibril said, “These opportunities include repositioning of the National Agency for Great Green Wall (GGW), Environment Sound of Chemicals Management, Watershed Management, Renewable Energy, Eco-Tourism, Green Bond, Afforestation/ Reforestation, Implementation of the UNEP Report and the Hydrocarbon Pollution remediation Project.”

He said, “Since my assumption in office, we have vigorously pursued and sensitised the Nigerian citizens towards going green and achieving toxic-free environment. It is my sincere wish that after this National Council meeting that the decisions reached will be such that is capable of re-engineering the sector to expand the frontiers to meaningfully contribute to a speedy economic recovery.”

He said, “In spite of the challenging times, this government has demonstrated complete political will and commitment in the cause of reviving the “Nigerian Project” by dealing with immediate issues of improving security, tracking corruption, and revitalizing the national economy. It is in the light of this that government recently launched the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP), 2017 – 2020 economic blue print. Pursuant to the ERGP’s policy objectives on the Environment Sector, our deliberations during the council meeting would be guided by our present challenges, aspirations and the policy direction and focus encapsulated in the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) which defines and determines the new narrative and vision of the present administration for the sector. To this end, I urge our distinguished delegates to the meeting to be objective when considering the merits and demerits of submitted Council Memoranda by applying the stated criteria especially as they relate to the ERGP set targets.”