FEDERAL GOVERNMENT PLEDGES SUPPORT FOR INDUSTRIES AS NIGERIA LAUNCHES DECARBONIZATION PROGRAMME
The Federal Government has pledged support for research and innovation to develop home grown solutions as Nigeria transitions towards low carbon operations in its industrial processes.
The Honourable Minister of Environment, Balarabe Abbas Lawal made the pledge Thursday in Abuja, at the Stakeholders’ Engagement Workshop on the National Industrial Decarbonization Programme (NIDP) organized by the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) in collaboration with Oxytane Africa Investment.
Lawal, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Mr. Mahmud Kambari noted that the industrial sector, which plays a big role in economic development also contributes significantly to greenhouse gas emissions, leading to climate change and land degradation.
He disclosed that the Nigerian government was making inroads in aligning with global commitments such as the Paris Agreement and the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
In scaling up its efforts, the Minister said the government was also facilitating access to climate finance and green technology as well as partnering with the private sector to accelerate the adoption of renewable energy and energy efficient solutions.
Chairman of the NESREA Governing Council, Hon. Garba Datti Mohammed called for collaboration between the public and private sector to ensure that Nigeria not only meets its environmental targets but also capitalizes on new economic opportunities through the generation and trading of carbon credits.
Chairman, Senate Committee on Environment, Distinguished Senator Akintude Yunus and the Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Environment, Honourable Julius Pondi , pledged legislative support for the National Industrial Decarbonization Programme.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Director General of NESREA, Dr. Innocent Barikor said the NIDP was designed to bring together government, industry, and technical experts to create a robust regulatory and compliance framework that supports the nation’s net-zero target by 2060.
Managing Director of Oxytane Africa Investments, Tamarankro Juliano Obriki, the partners for the project, highlighted key aspects of the Programme and the strategies for achieving the desired targets.
In attendance were the Deputy Chairman of the House Committee on Environment, Honourable Terseer Ugbor; Director General of the Great Green Wall, Dr. Saleh Abubakar; Registrar of the Environmental Health Council of Nigeria, Dr. Yakubu Mohammed Baba; Captains of Industries, as well as Governmental and Non- Governmental Organisations.
