Mr Toyin Oshaniwa, an environmentalist, on Monday urged the Federal Government to strengthen the nation’s climate change technical engagements to promote sustainability.
Oshaniwa, who spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos, said that Nigeria needed to develop its technical strategic plan to adequately engage the National Determined Contribution (NDC).
According to him, by so doing, Nigeria will align with some action projects by the United Nations (UN) on green climate and for the country not to lose out in some projects by the UN.
He said: “The only challenge we have is strengthening our technical engagements. Two months ago, there was a release of projects approved by the UN on Green Climate Fund.
“Out of all of these projects, only one or none came to Nigeria, so as a nation, I guess we really need to develop our technical strategy now that we have ratified the Paris Climate Agreement.
“So far, we do not have a national strategy to associate with the NDC, so, that is what we need to work on as a nation.’’
The environmentalist told NAN that he was particularly excited as the world marks Environment Day because the Climate Change Bill had passed its second reading at the Senate.
According to him, that is a ray of light indicating that the system was not in total collapse and that Nigeria is working in line with the Paris Climate Agreement.
“The good thing that might bring hope to the nation also, is, two weeks ago, the Climate Change Bill passed the second reading at the Senate, that shows that it is not a dead system and there is work going on.
“There is still hope for us as a nation though it has not been passed; another ray of hope is, we are signatory to the Paris agreement.
“So, these make it look like we are undergoing technical preparations to engage the information process and all the funds that come into the country.
“As we mark the World Environment Day as a nation, we should look at how best to make use of international instruments to keep protecting and promoting sustainable environment.
Oshaniwa, however, said there was need to reflect on the Sustainable Development Goals which dwelled on the environment, climate actions, water and land among others.
(Source: NAN)