Buhari’s ratification of Paris Agreement commendable – Ita-Giwa

Sen. Florence Ita-Giwa, a former Presidential Adviser to ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo, has commended President Muhammadu Buhari for his ratification of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change.

In a statement issued in Calabar on Wednesday, Ita-Giwa, however, appealed to Buhari to quicken action on the implementation of the agreement.

“President Muhammadu Buhari deserves commendation for signing the Paris Agreement on Climate Change.

“We are now appealing to him to ensure that the agreement is immediately implemented.’’

President Buhari had on Tuesday, March 28, signed the instrument of ratification of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change.

The president initially signed the first draft of the agreement in September 2016.

The Paris Agreement is an agreement within the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change that will deal with greenhouse gas emissions mitigation, adaptation and finance with effect from 2020.

Ita-Giwa said that implementation of the agreement was of utmost importance to Nigerians, especially people of the South-South region which is prone to the dire effects of environmental changes.

‘‘The Niger Delta region has a coastal environment that is highly prone to adverse environmental changes.

“These changes are occasioned by the rise in sea levels, coastal erosion and many decades of oil pollution, leading to loss of livelihoods and ecosystems,’’ she said.

Ita-Giwa said that the implementation of the agreement would go a long way in saving the people’s lives and preserving the environment.