NAN-AE-10
Economy
By Cecilia Ologunagba
Abuja, Sept. 29, 2016 (NAN) Mrs Fatima Mede, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Budget and National Planning, has called on Nigerians to be friendly to the environment, saying “environment drives the economy.”
Mede made this call at the Nigeria UN Development Assistant Framework (UNDAF) Formulation Process Consultation and Validation of the Draft Common Country Analysis (CCA) and Visioning Exercise on Thursday in Abuja.
She said Nigerians could contribute to keeping the environment safe by involving in environmental friendly activities.
“The prediction we had when I was the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Environment, showed that Nigerians are very vulnerable to the impact of climate change.
“ It is predicted that by 2030, Nigeria will be one of the third countries in the world that will suffer from poverty – disaster induced poverty- if we failed to take actions.
“We already had issues with the environment, security challenge-social security- we see the herdsmen moving from the North to the south.
“It is because about 43 per cent of our landmass has become a desert. There is no longer food for social security,’’ the official said.
Mede further said that 43 per cent of the land was not arable again, saying “when you look at the forest cover for Nigeria is 25 per cent.
“What we have is less than 6 per cent. Also, you see the impact of erosion on our farm lands.
“What is the future of this country? So, we should take it as a challenge, and I hope we will not fail to address the challenges,’’ she said.
The Permanent secretary, however, said President Muhammadu Buhari joined world leaders at the UN assembly last week to sign the Paris Agreement, to combat climate change agreement.
Mede appreciated the UN System for supporting Nigeria to prepare the then Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs) to the reduction of green houses gases, which contributes to climate change.
“They assisted us, they provided the consultants, when President Buhari was signing the agreement in New York few days ago; I just smiled to myself and prayed for the UN system.
“The issues of the environment are very critical and I want all of us to begin to think that the environment actually drives the economy,’’ she said.
Also speaking, Mr Samuel Eloho, Director, International Cooperation in the ministry of Budget and National Planning, said he appreciated the partnership between the Government of Nigeria and the UN System.
Eloho said the formulation of UNDAF IV was coming at a momentous period, following the launch of Agenda 2030, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
“Also, the launch of other key global initiatives, including the 3rd Financing for Development Conference and the Paris Climate Change Agreement.
“The successes recorded in the implementation of the first three UNDAFs gives the optimism that the UNDAF IV was well formulated.
“It will also addressed some of the country’s economic challenges and complement Government’s development recovery agenda,’’ he said. (NAN)
CIA/AA/AFA
Edited By Adeboye Ajayi/Felix Ajide
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