Climate Watch: FG won’t decelerate investment in oil and gas, says Ngelale

Despite directly impacting our communities, health, and livelihoods, climate-related reports usually take a back seat to dominant news beats like politics and business.

Climate Watch aims to ensure you never miss important stories on climate change and actions being taken to limit its impact.

Here is a round-up of last week’s climate stories:

• Ajuri Ngelale, special presidential envoy on climate action, says President Bola Tinubu recently cancelled an agreement to pay a consultant 15 percent of all climate change-related grants and donations. Speaking on a Channels TV programme on August 21, Ngelale said Nigeria would not decelerate investments in oil and gas based on a “clean energy” pursuit. He said the Tinubu administration will pursue a “dual track” of “clean offshore energy” and renewables, adding that “we are not going to be myopic”. Read more here.
• On August 20, the presidency announced plans to cut down the budget for the upcoming 29th edition of the conference of parties (COP29) by N10 billion. The climate change meeting will be hosted in Baku, Azerbaijan, from November 11 to 22. The presidential spokesperson said Tinubu, in response to the public outcry over the size and cost of Nigeria’s delegation to COP28 held in Dubai, United Arab Emirate (UAE), ordered a comprehensive audit of the country’s participation. He said the audit revealed unnecessary spending and attendees who “had no business” at the conference. Read more here.

• At least 16 people died and 3,936 were displaced in a flood disaster in 10 LGAs of Jigawa. On August 13, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) said about 100 families were displaced by flooding in Gantsa, Buji LGA of the state. Haruna Mariga, the executive secretary of the state emergency management agency (SEMA), said 2,744 hectares of farmlands were also destroyed by flood. Mariga said most of the deaths were due to the collapse of buildings—mostly mud houses—and boat accidents. Read more here.

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• The federal government has announced plans to develop a national digital repository to address the numerous challenges faced by waste pickers. Balarabe Lawal, the minister of environment, announced the plan on August 20 at a stakeholders’ forum in Abuja. Lawal said waste pickers are the backbone of waste management, adding that they contribute “significantly” to recycling and the circular economy. The minister added that their integration into Nigeria’s waste management system would unlock immense economic potential for the country. Read more here.
• Last week, Aliyu Abdullahi, the minister of state for agriculture and food security, said over 51 percent of farming areas in Nigeria are at risk of flooding. Abdullahi said the 2024 flood outlook released by the ministry of water resources and sanitation has identified 148 and 249 LGAs that are regarded as high and moderate flood-risk areas. The minister added that the reality of climate change has made agricultural insurance essential for ensuring food security. Read more here.

• Flood has cut off the Azare-Ja’amare road along the Kano-Maiduguri highway in Bauchi. The incident happened barely two weeks after a heavy downpour cut off the Kano-Maiduguri expressway, leaving many motorists and pedestrians stranded. Inspecting the affected area on August 22, Bala Mohammed, governor of Bauchi, warned that communities within the area are at risk of being submerged if the flow of water is not managed effectively. Read more here.