FG: We’ll tackle recurrent climate change challenges, ensure environmental protection

The federal government says it is committed to tackling recurrent climate change challenges such as flooding, deforestation, biodiversity loss and environmental pollution.

Ishaq Salako, the minister of state for environment, gave the assurance on Tuesday at the 7th annual conference and general meeting of the Association for Environmental Impact Assessment of Nigeria (AEIAN).

At the conference themed ‘Impact Assessment: Climate Resilience, Financing and Environmental Sustainability’, Salako was represented by Abbas Suleiman, a director in the ministry.

He said the ministry’s goal is to promote sustainable use of natural resources, preserve biodiversity, as well as restore and maintain the ecosystem.

Salako said the mandate of the ministry is to secure a quality environment conducive for the health and wellbeing of Nigerians.

The minister also commended members of AEIAN for their enthusiasm towards sustaining the environment.

“It is imperative to consistently tackle recurrent challenges such as climate change, deforestation, desert encroachment, loss of biodiversity, flood and erosion, environmental pollution amongst others to sustain an affordable and conducive existence for human kind,” he said.

“Our mission is also to ensure environmental protection, natural resources conservation and sustainable development.

“The mandate of the ministry of environment is to secure a quality environment conducive for the health and well-being of the citizens.”

Also speaking, Yunus Akintunde, chairman of the senate committee on environment, said the national assembly would formulate policies to support the association in ensuring a sustainable environment.

“Environment is life and life is about environment. The senate will be readily available to assist this association with whatever legislation is required to move the association forward,” Akintunde said.

Eugene Itua, chief executive officer (CEO) Natural Eco Capital, encouraged Nigerians to become more resilient to the impacts of climate change in the country.

Itua said “we need the money for climate finance. Whatever resources we can, let us mobilise to deal with climate change”.

In her remarks, Ijeoma Vincent-Akpu, president of AEIAN, said that climate change is a global issue, adding that the conference hopes to proffer solutions to climate and environmental challenges.