Climate and Environmental Advocate Team Lead for Global Initiative for Food Security and Ecosystem Preservation (GIFSEP), Mr Michael David, has warned that food wastes especially at Yuletide contribute to global warming.
David Michael Terungwa
David, who made disclosure in an interview on Monday, December 25, 2023, in Abuja, said: “For the uninitiated, excess amounts of greenhouse gases such as methane, carbon dioxide (CO2) and chlorofluorocarbons absorb infrared radiation and heat up the earth’s atmosphere, causing global warming and climate change.
“In addition to money being wasted, discarded food has a negative impact on our environment as it contributes to global warming.
“Despite this situation, food waste at festivities is very alarming at Christmas as many of the food prepared will never be eaten,” he said.
David urged Nigerians to consider the energy and natural resources expended in processing, transporting, storing, and cooking food.
“Food waste that ends up in landfills produces a large amount of methane, a more powerful greenhouse gas than even CO2.
“Food waste also represents a great waste of fresh water and groundwater resources with agriculture accounting for 70 per cent of the water used throughout the world, the food packaging of many food products is excessive.
“There is a growing awareness that the packaging is environmentally unfriendly because it is non-biodegradable and invariably just gets thrown away and lands up on our landfills or on our streets as litter,” he said.
David also gave some tips on how to prevent food waste.
“Don’t throw away good food, feed someone else. You will feel a great joy when you share with others.
“Many of us don’t give a thought to the quantity of food we waste daily, weekly, monthly and yearly with an increased tons of food waste during festivities including Christmas.
“Food waste in this context refers to food left over on your plate; too much food prepared and not used all generally land up in the dustbin/dumpsite,” he said.
David added that food wastage is an unfair attitude, particularly in a nation where there are children who spend days with empty stomach.
The Federal Government of Nigeria says it is committed to restoring more degraded lands for environmental sustainability in the country.
Malam Balarabe Abbas Lawal, Environment Minister
Malam Balarabe Lawal, Minister of Environment, gave this assurance at the Stakeholders’ Engagement of the Federal and States Steering/Technical Committees by Agro-Climate Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) on Thursday, December 21, 2023, in Abuja.
The programme was organised by ACReSAL, Federal Ministries of Environment, Agriculture and Food Security and Water Resources and Sanitation in conjunction with the World Bank.
The minister, who is also the chairman of the Steering Committee, expressed satisfaction that the collaboration would restore degraded lands in the 19 northern states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Lawal said that there were seven million lands that were degraded; hence the need for collaboration between relevant stakeholders to enable ACReSAL to make progress in the restoration of degraded lands.
“We need to emphasise on the collaboration between the federal and state government and I hope this collaboration will be extended to the local government,’’ he said.
He expressed worries over the dryness of Lake Chad and charged ACReSAL on its recovery as Lake Chad was just a micro level of what used to be there.
On his part, Mr Taimur Samad, World Bank Operations Manager, said that the ACReSAL project was an ambitious and transformational engagement to restore degraded lands.
“Globally the World Bank has continued to deepen its commitment to climate change, resilience, adaptation and mitigation,’’ he said.
Samad urged the 19 states and the FCT to ensure renewed commitments to the implementation of the projects.
More so, Mr Abdulhamid Umar, National Project Coordinator for ACReSAL said that the project was driven by three ministries namely the ministries of Environment, Water Resources and Sanitation and Agriculture and Food Security.
According to him, ACReSAL project is being implemented in 19 northern states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Mr Lawrence Adigwe, the Director overseeing the Office of the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Environment, said that ACReSAL had been a success story on land restoration in the 19 northern states and the FCT.
He assured the ministry’s commitment towards ACReSAL’s project and urged the 19 northern states and the FCT to be more efficient in securing the environment.
Highlights of the event were awards presentation to some of the states for performance in the area of implementation progress, best disbursement, land reclamation and support to beneficiaries amongst others.
Minister of State for Environment, Dr Iziaq Salako, says the Federal Government is worried over illegal killing of elephants and other wildlife species across the country.
Dr Iziaq Salako, Minister of State for Environment
Salako, who briefed newsmen on Friday, December 22, 2023, in Abuja, condemned the recent incident in Borno.
“We are deeply concerned about the recent illegal killings of elephants and other wildlife species across the country – the killing of two elephants by the military in Kala Balge, Borno at the instance of a Local Government Chairman.
“Also, the killing of another elephant by a professor from the University of Ibadan, Oyo State; the government will not condone any such dastardly act by any persons or communities involved.
“The ministry also received similar unpleasant information on the killing of two booted eagles that migrated all the way from Europe but met their deaths in both Kebbi and Sokoto states.”
The minister said that efforts were being made by the ministry to retrieve the transmitters attached to the birds and return them to researchers in Europe.
“As a ministry committed to environmental conservation and the protection of wildlife, we strongly condemn such actions that undermine the fragile balance of our ecosystem.
“The public should be aware that Nigeria is signatory to international conventions particularly the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
“The National Focal Point/Management Authority, the Scientific and the Enforcement Authorities of CITES are all domiciled in this Ministry.
“The Ministry of Environment is determined to protect and preserve Nigeria’s wildlife and the natural ecosystems.’’
Salako said that elephants and eagles were categorised as endangered species; hence, the hunting, capturing, possessing, trading or killing of the wild species were offences liable to prosecution according to the CITES regulations.
“The brutal killings of these wildlife not only reflect a blatant disregard for the importance of wildlife preservation but also highlights the urgent need for enhanced awareness and sensitisation of the public regarding the protection of our natural heritage.
“Furthermore, the ministry will ensure the sensitisation of security personnel deployed in environmentally sensitive areas across the country.
“Such initiatives will focus on creating awareness about the significance of wildlife conservation, emphasising the importance of non-lethal methods in conflict resolution, and promoting sustainable practices to mitigate human-wildlife conflicts.’’
According to him, the incident in Kala Balge LGA serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for stronger legislation and effective enforcement measures to safeguard our precious wildlife.
“The ministry will work closely with all stakeholders, including local communities, NGOs, and wildlife conservation organisations to strengthen and implement robust policies that protect our already fragile ecosystem and natural heritage.
“We firmly believe that by taking immediate action, we can prevent such tragic incidents from recurring and foster a culture of respect and coexistence between humans and wildlife.
“We extend our willingness to collaborate and provide expertise to develop sustainable strategies that ensure the long-term welfare of our environment.
“This is in line with the renewed hope agenda and the eight presidential priorities anchored on sustainable use of Nigeria’s natural resources,” Salako said.
The National Park Service (NPS) says it is committed to wildlife conservation in the country in order to ensure environmental sustainability.
Dr Ibrahim Goni, Conservator-General of the National Park Service
Dr Ibrahim Goni, Conservator-General(C-G), NPS, gave this assurance at the presentation of the 2023 scorecard of the service on Friday, December 22, 2023, in Abuja.
“The National Park Service remains committed to the protection of Nigeria’s national parks, wildlife conservation, and environmental sustainability.
“The policy thrust of the service is to provide security, manage, regulate the use of the diverse and unique natural resources within the national parks in the country.
“Globally, National Parks are managed by the highest legally competent authority of a country for national and regional security and well-being just as in Nigeria.’’
He said that NPS collaborated with relevant stakeholders to combat wildlife trafficking in Nigeria and that seizures had been.
According to him, efforts are being made to release live animals back into the wild.
“The Nigerian Customs Service recently confiscated 81 parrots among other bird species, galagos (bush babies) which were handed over to the National Park Service for rehabilitation and reintroduction to the wild.
“Additionally, the National Park Service has developed a policy document on combating wildlife and forest crime in Nigeria in collaboration with the United Nations Office for Drugs and Crime.
“In addition, they play immense roles in medicine, research, education, agriculture, tourism, spiritualism and are critical components in the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals seven (affordable and clean energy) and 13 (climate action).’’
According to him, the service currently manages seven national parks spread across the different ecological and geopolitical zones in the country.
“These parks include Chad Basin National Park (Borno and Yobe states), Cross River National Park (Cross River State), Gashaka Gumti National Park (Taraba and Adamawa states) and Kainji Lake National Park (Niger and Kwara states).
“Others are Kamuku National Park (Kaduna State), Okomu National Park (Edo State) and Old Oyo National Park (Oyo State).
“Additionally, in November, 2020, the former President, Muhammadu Buhari, approved the establishment of 10 additional National Parks.
“These Parks includes Allawa National Park in Niger State, Apoi and Edumenum National Parks in Bayelsa State, Falgore National Park in Kano State and Hadejia Wetlands National Park in Jigawa State.
“Others are Kampe National Park in Kwara State, Kogo National Park in Katsina State, Marhai National Park in Nasarawa, Oba Hills National Park in Osun State and Pandam National Park in Plateau State.’’
He said that the National Assembly had concurred with the Presidential Proclamation Order establishing the 10 new National Parks and they had been recently gazetted by the Federal Ministry of Justice .
Goni said that the parks would take over soon in batches.
The conservator-general said that, within the period under review, a total of 646 arrests were made across various national parks.
“The breakdown of the arrests is as follows: 44 hunters, 222 grazers, 131 loggers, and 249 others.
“These arrests were made in all the national parks, with Gashaka-Gumti recording the highest number of arrests.
“In relation to banditry incidents, 37 suspects were apprehended in connection with mining/banditry in Old Oyo National Park, while in Kainji Lake National Park, three suspected bandits were arrested while five others were neutralised.’’
He said that four victims were rescued during the operations while various items such as motorcycles, phones, and machetes were recovered.
“The breakdown of the prosecution cases is as follows: 161 convictions, 215 fines, 119 warnings and discharges, and 151 cases pending.
“Cross River and Gashaka-Gumti National Parks recorded the highest number of convictions.’’
Goni said that the total revenue generated for the service from January till date is N83.2 million only.
“Several capital projects have been implemented in various national parks, leading to positive impacts on park infrastructure, equipment, and facilities.’’
He said that the projects included the construction and furnishing of Rangers Barracks, renovation and furnishing of Head Offices, procurement of patrol equipment, and provision of solar power plants.
“The National Park Service has prioritised training, conferences, and workshops for its personnel.
“A total of 260 training events were conducted during the specified period, with 80 trainings, 55 conferences and 128 workshops,” he said.
Over 120 environmental health practitioners from 10 provinces of Zambia who attended the Zambia Institute of Environmental Health (ZIEH) conference in Lusaka from December 13 to 15, 2023, voted to phase out dental amalgam and make dental amalgam history in the country.
ZIEH officials admitting Mr Michael Musenga of CEHF as Life Fellow and Life Membership of the Zambia Institute of Environmental Health
This decision, they said, was reached to protect the health of vulnerable people at risk, in particular children, pregnant women, the unborn child, and dentists, towards contributing to achieving a healthier planet.
During the conference, the environmental health practitioners heard that dental amalgam is a toxic product with 50 percent mercury whose use is not allowed for children and for which some 40 nations have phased out amalgam entirely.
Zambia is witnessing national support from the Zambia Dental Association (ZDA) who stopped the use of dental amalgam in all government and private facilities for close to 22 years now, even as the syllabus in dental schools is also reviewed to exclude dental amalgam.
The Children’s Environmental Health Foundation (CEHF) has held advocacy meetings to phase out dental amalgam in Choma, Livingstone and Lusaka, according to the CEHF Executive Director and National Lead Elimination Advisor, Michael Musenga.
According to him, Senior Medical Superintendents, Senior Dental Surgeons and Dentists from University Teaching and Central Hospitals have pledged to ensure phasing out dental amalgam completely.
“The support given by the Minister of Green Economy and Environment, Collins Nzovu, on April 28, 2023, in Lusaka during the official opening of SADC and EAC NGO leaders including the President of World Alliance, Charlie Brown, from USA who attended a round table meeting organised by Children’s Environmental Health Foundation in Zambia is great. The support given by Mike Mposha, Minister of Water Development and Sanitation, and His Royal Highness Chief Macha during the celebration of the Sustainable Open Defecation Free for Macha Chiefdom and 2023 World Toilet Day commemoration at Macha College of Nursing grounds is so great for Zambia. We need government now to officially ban dental amalgam as submitted by the African Group by establishing statutory instrument to ban importation and use of dental amalgam in Zambia since the alternatives are available.
“Recently, we had one to one awareness raising with the traditional leaders and all supported the phase out of dental amalgam as it may pollute water quality and environment in their chiefdoms in order to protect the health of the vulnerable population in the community. The Mayor of Livingstone City, Constance Nalishebo Muleabai, has pledged to support this community effort to phase out dental amalgam and will be joining our team in awareness raising to the community and institutions of Livingstone and will need frequent updates from District health Medical Office. These good words came from the Mayor of Livingstone when CEHF team in the company of Senior Dental Surgeon, Dr Robson Mwewa, from Livingstone University Teaching Hospital, paid a courtesy call on Mayor Constance Nalishebo Muleabai at the Livingstone City Council.”
The Africa Region in deep collaboration with colleagues around the world is proud to have made momentous progress to make mercury history, said Mr David Kapindula from Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA) and COP-3 President and Africa Regional Expert.
The conference resolved to support the government in phasing out dental amalgam completely and make mercury in dentistry a history in Zambia as per the Minamata Convention on Mercury.
The conference also supported to end childhood lead poisoning to protect health and environment as per World Health Organisation (WHO) requirements.
It further supported ban on High Hazardous Pesticides (HHPs) and the reduction of plastic pollution, as plastics may be toxic and contain mercury and lead and may pollute underground water.
The ZIEH admitted Mr Michael Musenga as Life Fellow and Life Membership of Zambia Institute of Environmental Health. Musenga thanked the ZIEH President, Dr Tuitus Haakonde, and the past President, Mr Kennedy Chishimba, and members of the institute.
The Federal Government of Nigeria has been urged to prioritise public health by embracing Tobacco Harm Reduction (THR) alternatives, raising awareness among the general public, and making these harm-reduction products not only accessible but also affordable.
Professor Nnanyelugo Ike-Muonso
Professor Nnanyelugo Ike-Muonso, a public health expert, made the submission at a recent THR event in Lagos.
He said: “Consequently, we present an eight-point roadmap for immediate actions required for the successful implementation of THR policies in Nigeria which includes Immediate development of a comprehensive THR Policy Framework aligned with global best practices and tailored to Nigeria’s unique context. Launch extensive public awareness campaigns to educate citizens, healthcare professionals, and policymakers about the benefits of THR.
“The Nigerian health authorities should forge partnerships with media outlets to disseminate accurate information and counteract misinformation regarding THR policies. Strengthen knowledge about THR policies among healthcare professionals through targeted training programmes and awareness initiatives. Work on policies and reduce excise duties on risk-reduction products that ensure affordability compared to traditional cigarettes, making them accessible to a broader population. Encourage research and development in THR, supporting innovations and advancements in less harmful alternatives. Collaborate with international organisations and countries successfully implementing THR policies to gain insights and support. Institute robust monitoring and evaluation mechanisms to assess the effectiveness of THR policies regularly.”
According to him, “Europe’s champion low-smoking nation, with the world’s lowest lung cancer and cardiovascular disease rates, owes much to embracing safer alternatives to cigarettes. This is a pivotal moment for Nigeria.
“The time to act is now, and we are ready to support and collaborate with the government in this critical journey toward a smoke-free Nigeria,” affirmed Professor Ike-Muonso.
Speaking further the public health expert opined: “THR, if embraced and nurtured, can chart a healthier, smoke-free course for millions. Investing in it isn’t just about cigarettes; it’s about saving lives, reducing healthcare burden, and building a healthier future for generations.
“A smoke-free future isn’t a fantasy; it’s within reach. Let’s embrace THR and pave the way for easier breathing for millions.
“Research shows these alternative products can be 95 percent less harmful than cigarettes, offering smokers choices and a potential exit route. This not only eases healthcare costs but also substantially improves public health outcomes. Nigeria’s path to a smoke-free future is clear. By learning from Sweden and embracing THR, the country can finally break free from the grip of tobacco and build a healthier tomorrow.”
Mr. Teslim Shitta-Bey, Managing Director of Proshare, amplified the call for pragmatic action, urging collaboration and innovation to emulate Sweden’s success.
Nigeria, weighed down by 28,876 annual deaths and crippling healthcare costs from smoking, finds newfound hope in Tobacco Harm Reduction (THR). Inspired by Sweden’s success, the country seeks to replicate its path to a smoke-free future.
The Lagos State Government has urged all occupants of identified distressed buildings in the state to evacuate immediately.
Scene of the collapsed build at Ebute-Metta in Lagos
This was made known by the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr. Oluyinka Olumide, on Friday, December 22, 2023, as a three-floor building with a penthouse caved in at Lagos Street by Herbert Macauley, Ebute-Metta.
Speaking at the site of the unfortunate incident, the Commissioner, who was with the Special Adviser, e-GIS and Urban Development, Dr. Olajide Babatunde; the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Oluwole Sotire; General Manager, Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority (LASPPPA), Kehinde Osinaike; and General Manager, Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA), Gbolahan Oki, said that the building, having been marked distressed and published in the dailies as such, was partially demolished by LASBCA after serving the statutory notices, including evacuation notice.
He noted that he recently supervised the marking and service of notices to a number of distressed buildings in the Ebute-Metta area.
Olumide said that it was appalling that people would refuse to evacuate distressed buildings after being officially asked to do so.
His words: “I deeply sympathise with the casualties but remain puzzled at why people would choose to stay in a distressed building, in spite of the serious danger to lives and property.”
He urged all occupants of distressed buildings in the state to vacate immediately as the government would be more stringent in the application of physical planning laws.
More information will be furnished as it emerges as rescue operations are ongoing.
Currently, Nigeria’s Climate Change Act is the only standalone legal framework from which the totality of Nigeria’s efforts at climate change mitigation, adaptation, structured sustainable development, and transition to a low-carbon resilient economy draw breath. While complementary laws may be enacted to help attain the objectives of the Act in other sectors, the Act remains the overarching legal framework for climate action in Nigeria.
Rep. Sam Onuigbo
Passed by the 9th National Assembly during the third quarter of 2021, the Bill which gave birth to the Act was eventually signed into law by former President Muhammadu Buhari GCFR on November 17, 2021. Thereafter, President Buhari went on to appoint the first Director General of the National Council on Climate Change, and convene the first meeting of the Council, in 2022.
One key provision of the Act aimed at giving climate change the high-level attention it deserves is the composition of the National Council on Climate Change – Nigeria’s highest decision-making body on climate change. Accordingly, Section 3 (1) of the Act establishes the Council, while Section 5(1) lists the composition of the Council with (very importantly) the President as the Chairman of the Council.
The Act goes on to list the Vice-President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as the Vice Chairman of the Council. Other members are: the Ministers responsible for Environment, Petroleum Resources, Budget and National Planning, Justice, Mines and Steel Development, Finance, Agriculture and Rural Development, Power, Women Affairs, Transportation, Water Resources; the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria; the National Security Adviser; the Chairman of Nigerian Governors’ Forum; the President of Association of Local Governments of Nigeria; a representative of the private sector on climate change or environment-related matters, nominated by the most representative registered national umbrella association; a representative of women, youths, and persons with disabilities, each to be nominated by the most representative registered national umbrella association; a representative of environment related Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), appointed by the President, on the recommendation of the Minister responsible for Environment; and the Director-General of the National Council on Climate Change, who shall serve as the Secretary.
I have painstakingly listed in detail the members of the Council as provided for by the Climate Change Act to make three points:
Firstly, to address some of the concerns expressed by some citizens about the different Ministers who were part of the government delegation to the just concluded 28th Conference of Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28). Climate Change is a cross-cutting issue and thus demands a multifaceted approach. The Act recognises this.
Secondly, to draw attention to the fact that prior to leaving the country for COP28, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had spoken to his cabinet members and charged them to attend COP28 with the mindset of using the platform to advance the interests of Nigeria in bilateral meetings and other engagements. Each Minister was handed a roster to that effect. It was such a careful roster that each Minister was assigned specific meetings and engagements to attend and represent Nigeria effectively and productively.
Thirdly, in mandating his Ministers and other members of the Council on what to do, President Tinubu was effectively acting according to the spirit and letters of the Climate Change Act.
Recall that during the presentation of the 2024 Appropriation Bill at the National Assembly, the President had said: “As we approach COP 28 climate summit, a pivotal moment for global climate action, I have directed relevant government agencies to diligently work towards securing substantial funding commitments that will bolster Nigeria’s energy transition. It is imperative that we seize this opportunity to attract international partnerships and investments that align with our national goals. I call upon our representatives to engage proactively to showcase the strides we have made in the quest to create an enabling environment for sustainable energy projects. Together, we will strive for Nigeria to emerge from COP28 with tangible commitments, reinforcing our dedication to a future where energy is not only a catalyst for development, but also a driver of environmental stewardship.” (my emphasis).
By saying, “Together, we will…” President Tinubu fully wore his hat as the Chairman of the Council as stipulated by the Act. Not only did he charge each of his Ministers to focus on specific areas in accordance with the multifaceted nature of climate action, and the provisions of the Climate Change Act, he further embodied his position as the Chairman of the Council by leading from the front. This he did not only by being physically present in Dubai, but also personally attending series of high-level meetings and engagements, some of which I was opportuned to be part of. This, too, is indeed in line with the provisions of the Climate Change Act.
Recognising also the role of civil society and the private sector as provided by the Act, UNFCCC accreditation badges (although private individual travels were not funded by the FG) were provided for several CSOs and private sector players to enable them to engage with potential funders, which will eventually be used to drive climate action in Nigeria. Consequently, some governors and so many captains of industries from Nigeria attended COP28.
In the words of Razan Al Mubarak, UN Climate Change High-Level Champion for COP28, “…COP28 has also demonstrated the importance of inclusivity. We are proud of the leadership of real economy actors from around the world – including indigenous people, women, finance, business, cities and states, youth and civil society – who have built momentum for this outcome. I am committed to working tirelessly with all of them to support Parties to turn the declarations and outcomes here at COP28 into action, finance and solutions on the ground.”
Further, in line with Section 4(i) of the Act, President Tinubu announced on December 2, 2023, at COP28, that Nigeria has constituted a special committee to activate the country’s national carbon market strategy, and accordingly appointed Zach Adedeji, Chairman, Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and Salisu Dahiru, Director General, National Council on Climate Change as Co-chairmen.
All these actions show a total commitment towards a comprehensive implementation of the Climate Change Act and the realisation of its important goal of a low carbon, sustainably developed Nigeria. President Tinubu would further affirm his commitment to this in his article entitled “Africa can become the world’s green manufacturing powerhouse” which was published by Cable News Network (CNN) on the final day of COP28. Therein, he informed the world that “Nigeria has taken significant steps and acted decisively in enacting the Climate Change Act and committing to net-zero emissions between 2050 and 2070,” and went ahead to state that as part of the country’s commitment, during COP28, Nigeria launched the Nigerian Carbon Market Initiative and “ signed an agreement with a German energy firm to massively convert flared gas into high-grade natural gas exports to Europe. This is critical to reducing one of the major ways the country contributes to global greenhouse gases.”
While COP28 may not have delivered as the perfect UNFCCC COP, a whole lot of gains were recorded. For instance, we witnessed, for the first time, a decision to work towards transitioning away from fossil fuels, conserve and restore nature, and tripling of global renewable energy capacity by 2030 in order to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. This is an important commitment, to keep us on the Paris Agreement pathways. We also saw the historic adoption of the operationalisation of the Loss and Damage Fund on the first day of the conference and the eventual raising of initial funds for it in order to help vulnerable and developing countries deal with the losses and damages caused by climate change.
Africa would also secure a major win in the adoption of the Global Goal on Adaptation Framework, and the special attention to food systems, which led to the release of the FAO Roadmap and Alliance of Champions for Food Systems Transformation. Again, this aligns with President Tinubu’s inaugural speech on food security.
As a country, there are many ways in which Nigeria will benefit enormously from the successes recorded at COP28, especially by the President comprehensively activating the implementation of the Climate Change Act. While we have launched our Long-Term Low Emission Development Strategy (LT-LEDS), we were also able to secure a fast tracking of the implementation of the Siemens agreement; set up a committee to draft our national carbon market strategy; launch the Nigerian Carbon Market Initiative; etc. There are also several gains in the pipeline as a result of many bilateral and private business meetings.
Climate change demands not just high-level action, but also comprehensive multilevel action if the world is to fully address it. This fact was taken into consideration in the drafting of Nigeria’s Climate Change Act. What President Tinubu has done over the past few months was to fully apprehend the overarching provisions of the Act and to judiciously commence the comprehensive implementation of the Act to the letter. This is great news for Nigeria and indeed Africa.
Rep. Sam Onuigbo, former Member of the House of Representatives, is the sponsor of Nigeria’s Climate Change Act and one of the 30 Global Leaders on Climate Change 2023. He is on X as @OnuigboSI
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Ltd. says it has fulfilled its pledge of achieving the mechanical completion of rehabilitation work on Area 5 Plant of the Port Harcourt Refining Company (PHRC).
NNPC and government officials inspecting facilities at the Port Harcourt refinery
Rehabilitation work has been ongoing at the Refinery for over two years and the NNPC Ltd. had pledged to complete Phase One of the project (mechanical completion and flare start-up) of Old Port Harcourt Refinery (Area 5) by December 31, 2023.
Speaking during an inspection tour of the rehabilitation project, which also coincided with the 15th Refineries’ Rehabilitation Steering Committee Meeting, the Group Chief Executive Officer, NNPC Ltd., Mr. Mele Kyari, said as of December 15, 2023, 84.4% of Area 5 Plant, a key component of the Refinery, and 77.4% of the entire rehabilitation project have been completed.
“In our quest to ensure that this refinery is re-streamed to continue to deliver value to Nigerians, we made a promise that we will reach a mechanical completion of phase one of the rehabilitation project by the end of December and get the other plants running in 2024. Today, we have kept those commitments,” Kyari stated.
The GCEO commended the NNPC Ltd.’s staff and the EPCIC contractors for doing a great job in ensuring that the refinery achieved that significant milestone.
In his remarks, the Chairman of NNPC Ltd Board, Chief Pius Akinyelure, described the milestone as “historic”, stressing that the board was proud of the staff and management of the refinery.
“We are just starting. We want to be at the highest level of production so that we will keep the prices of petroleum prices in the country stable in order to give comfort to our people and generate more revenue for our country,” Akinyelure noted.
Also speaking, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, said the milestone is another landmark of the renewed hope agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.
He thanked Nigerians for their patience and the trust they have in NNPC Ltd.’s ability to deliver on this huge project.
In his address, the Minister of State for Petroleum (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, said re-streaming the Refinery would herald a good omen for the nation’s Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) industry, as LPG, also known as cooking gas, is a major bye-product of the Refinery.
Also speaking, the Managing Director of Tecnimont Nig. Ltd., Fabio Del Cioppo, one of the EPC Contractors of the Rehabilitation Project, said his company remains committed to fulfilling the terms of the contract.
The PHRC rehabilitation project, which costs about $1.5 billion, is an EPCIC project that covers Engineering, Procurement, Construction, Installation, and Commissioning phases. For Area 5, the Engineering, Procurement, Construction, and Installation have all been completed. The mechanical completion signifies the closure of the Construction and Installation phases.
The Federal Government of Nigeria recently presented the 2024 Budget proposal to the National Assembly. The Budget titled “Budget of Renewed Hope” shows a proposed expenditure of NGN27.5 trillion and an estimated revenue of NGN18.32 trillion for the 2024 fiscal year. We have analysed in our infographic a snapshot of the 2024 Budget proposal and its assumptions relative to the 2023 approved and supplementary Budgets.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of Nigeria
Following President Bola Tinubu’s submission of a proposed budget of N27.5 trillion for 2024 to the National Assembly (NASS), the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, has called on Nigerians to contribute more substantively to nation-building and tone down on the criticism of the government.
The budget expenditure for the year as proposed stood at N27.5 trillion, the highest in the history of Nigeria and 10.79% higher than the 2023 revised budget (N24.83 trillion – addition of signed + supplementary budgets). The Budget relies on the key assumptions outlined in Nigeria’s Federal Government’s 2024-2026 Medium-term expenditure framework (MTEF). Revenue projection surged by 65.8% to N18.32 trillion, surpassing the 2023 revised budget of N11.05 trillion.
Expenditure projection rose by 10.3% to N27.5 trillion from the 2023-revised budget. The total expenditure breaks down as Capital expenditure at N7.72trn (28%), recurrent expenditure at N9.92trn (36.1%), and debt servicing at N8.25trn (30.0%). Debt service projection improves to 45.0% of revenue in 2024 from 73.5% in the 2023 budget proposal. The projection for capital expenditure improved by 34.7%, while non-debt recurrent expenditure increased by 19.1%. The total deficit hit N9.18 trillion, about 3.88% of the GDP, marking a shift toward better fiscal management.
The Nigerian Government intends to spend 30 percent of its 2024 budget on debt servicing, allocating less to critical sectors of the economy. The government budgeted N8.25 trillion (30 percent) for debt servicing in 2024 while critical sectors of the economy such as education was allocated N2.18 trillion, and the health sector N1.33 trillion, Infrastructure, defence, social development & poverty reduction were allocated N1.32 trillion, N3.25 trillion and N534 billion respectively in the budget.
The economy is expected to grow by 3.76%, while “inflation is expected to moderate to 21.4 percent in 2024.
Perspicacity from the 2024 Budget (President Bola Tinubu Budget Expectation)
2024 Nigeria’s Budget continues to be ambitious and unrealistic in the face of current reality; Revenue and fiscal deficit projections seem unrealistic. The country continues to live in denial as revenue consistently underperforms projections and maintains a slow growth projection while spending surges yearly.
The 2024 budget intensifies spending to support the economy; As a clear departure from previous budgets, the 2024 budget highlighted how the government intends to support growth and employment. However, there is no mention of sending the Finance Bill 2023 to support the 2024 budget implementation.
Revenue optimisation and expenditure efficiency; The government needs to implement measures to drive optimisation in revenue mobilisation and block leakages while also getting the best from spending. Others include a re-visitation of the tax structure and procurement to institutionalise effective fiscal space.
Given the enormity of the task ahead, heightened action is needed to galvanise progress. The Proposed programme budget 2024–2025 is aligned with these priorities, which aim to support countries to:
promote health and well-being and prevent disease, by addressing root causes and creating conditions for good health through multi-sectoral collaboration;
provide health through a radical reorientation of health systems towards primary health care as the foundation of universal health coverage.
President Bola Tinubu says Nigeria’s national defence and internal security, local job creation, macro-economic stability, investment environment optimisation, human capital development, poverty reduction, and social security are some of the top priorities of the 2024 Budget of Renewed Hope.
He said the proposed budget prioritises human capital development, with particular attention given to children, because human capital remains the most critical resource for national development.
“To improve the effectiveness of our budget performance, the government will focus on ensuring value for money, greater transparency, and accountability. In this regard, we will work more closely with development partners and the private sector.
“To address long-standing issues in the education sector, a more sustainable model of funding tertiary education will be implemented, including the Student Loan Scheme scheduled to become operational by January 2024,” the President affirmed.
Government Budget
Government Budget, Forecast of governmental expenditures and revenues for the ensuing fiscal year. In modern industrial economies, the budget is the key instrument for the execution of government economic policies. Because government budgets may promote or retard economic growth in certain areas of the economy and because views about priorities in government spending differ widely, government budgets are the focus of competing political interests.
According to the International Budget Partnership (IBP), the importance of a country’s budget lies in several factors:
Resource Allocation
The budget helps the government allocate resources efficiently to meet its policy objectives. It reflects the priorities of the government and its commitment to different sectors.
Policy Implementation
The budget serves as a tool for implementing government policies. It outlines the financial resources available for various programs, enabling the government to execute its plans effectively.
Fiscal Discipline
A well-managed budget promotes fiscal discipline by ensuring that government spending does not exceed available resources. It helps prevent excessive borrowing and contributes to economic stability.
Accountability and Transparency
The budget process promotes accountability and transparency in government operations. Citizens can assess how public funds are being used and hold the government accountable for its financial decisions.
Macroeconomic Stability
A balanced budget contributes to macroeconomic stability by avoiding excessive inflation or deflation. It helps maintain a sustainable fiscal policy that supports overall economic health.
Debt Management
The budget plays a crucial role in managing a country’s debt. Governments must consider their borrowing needs and ensure that debt levels are sustainable in the long term.
Investor Confidence
A transparent and well-managed budget enhances investor confidence. It provides insight into the government’s economic policies and its ability to meet financial obligations.
A country’s budget is a fundamental tool for managing its finances, implementing policies, and promoting economic stability. It reflects the government’s priorities, ensures accountability, and influences the overall well-being of the nation.
The 2024 Budget titled “Budget of Renewed Hope” replicates statistically the importance of having an explicit Budget in Nigeria which shows indeed there is hope for a better Nigeria.
