Buhari inaugurates national council on climate change

Buhari 3

President Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday inaugurated the National Council on Climate Change to formulate appropriate policies toward achieving green growth and sustainable economic development for Nigeria.

This is contained in a statement issued by his media adviser, Femi Adesina, in Abuja.

The council marks the commencement of the implementation of the Climate Change Act 2021 and a new chapter in the renewed response to climate change in the country.

Buhari directed the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, in conjunction with the Minister of Environment, to initiate appropriate amendments to ”noticeable implementation challenges” inherent in the Act.

He highlighted the losses and damage caused by the recent increasing floods in several parts of the country, as well as in Pakistan, Bangladesh and other parts of East and Southern Africa.

According to the president, climate change is one of the biggest challenges facing humanity.

“Climate change is complex and dynamic. It requires multidimensional and multi-sectoral initiatives to address its impacts and avert its rapid advance.

“Updated data show increases in sea level rise, heat waves, wildfires, floods, desertification, drying wetlands and many more disruptive climate occurrences.

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“The latest Intergovernmental Panel on climate change report warns that rising Green House Gas emissions could soon outstrip the ability of communities to adapt, and the window for taking decisive steps needed to spare our planet from the gravest impacts of climate change is rapidly narrowing.

“We cannot ignore what is happening in our local environment. The increasing re-occurrence of floods in several parts of the country is a wakeup call,” he said.

Meanwhile, Buhari lamented the loss of lives, damage and destruction of infrastructure such as roads, bridges, schools and agricultural production.

The Council is chaired by the President, Federal Republic of Nigeria, with the Vice President as Vice Chairman. The Chairman of, the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, is also a member.

Other members of the Council are the Ministers responsible for Environment; Petroleum Resources; Budget and National Planning; Justice; Mines and Steel Development; Finance; Agriculture and Rural Development; Power; Women Affairs; Transportation; and Water Resources.

The Governor of the Central Bank; the National Security Adviser; President of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria; a representative of the private sector on climate change or environmental-related matters (representative of National Conservation Foundation); a representative of the National Council on Women Societies; a representative of National Youth Congress, and a representative of the Civil Society Organisation are also members of the Council.

The Director-General of the National Council on Climate Change, Dr Salisu Dahiru, will serve as Secretary.

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