The National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) has sealed off Cyvilian Garden, a popular relaxation spot located on Abacha Road in Mararaba, Nasarawa State, for noise pollution.
Dr Innocent Barikor, Director-General, National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESERA)
Speaking with newsmen on Friday after the exercise, the Director-General of NESREA, Dr Innocent Barikor, said that the measure followed complaints by residents and the refusal of the leisure spot management to comply with guidelines after notifications.
Barikor, who was represented by Dr Christopher Beka, Director, Inspection and Enforcement in the agency, said due process was followed in shutting down the facility.
“We took all necessary steps before getting to the point of sealing.
“Complaints from residents were investigated and noise readings were taken at different times, and they were too high for a residential area.
“Abatement notices were subsequently issued to the facility as required by law.
“We also had an arbitration meeting where they were advised to operate within the standards set out in the National Environmental (Noise Standards and Control) Regulations, 2009,” he said.
“Noise pollution is a very serious issue, and we are tackling it headlong because the health of citizens is affected.
“It is intolerable that one would return from a hectic day at work and unable to sleep at night because of noise.
“You cannot run your business or create fun for yourself at the expense of others,” he said.
Barikor restated the commitment of NESREA towards ensuring that Nigerians enjoy a high quality of life through effective environmental regulation and enforcement.
Barikor called on Nigerians to act as environmental stewards by adhering to environmental laws and reporting any violations.
He promised that more enforcement exercises would be carried out across all states of the federation.
A power outage has disrupted parts of the Presidential Villa, Maitama, Wuse, Jabi, Lifecamp, Asokoro, Utako, and Mabushi, following a vandalised 132kV transmission line and underground cable supplying bulk power to the Central Area transmission substation in Katampe, with thieves carting away 40 meters of 1x500mm XLPE conductor.
National grid lines
Ndidi Mbah, Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) General Manager of Public Affairs, made the disclosure in a statement made available to EnviroNews on Friday, January 17, 2025.
According to her, the incident impacted eight distribution feeders supplying the Central Area, leading to the disruption of over 60 percent of Abuja’s power supply.
Mbah expressed concern over the ongoing issue of cable vandalism, which continues to disrupt power delivery across the country.
She further emphasised that TCN has already dispatched a team of engineers to restore power to the affected areas promptly.
“The vandalism of this critical infrastructure is suspected to have occurred near the Menillum Park axis of Abuja,” Mbah noted, explaining that the perpetrators stole 40 meters of 1x500mm XLPE conductor from the two 132kV transmission lines.
Mbah has therefore appealed to residents in the affected areas to remain patient while efforts to repair the damaged cables are underway.
She also called on Nigerians to stay vigilant and protect transmission equipment to prevent further incidents of vandalism.
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) is seeking collaboration with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on effective reportage of disaster management in Niger State and across the country.
Director-General of NEMA, Zubaida Umar
Malam Hussaini Isah, the newly appointed Head, NEMA, Minna Operations Office, spoke at a familiarisation visit to NAN Zonal office on Friday, January 17, 2025, in Minna, the state capital.
He said the visit was to seek more areas of collaboration and to sustain existing ones.
“The purpose of the visit is to collaborate with NAN and other partners to move disaster management in Niger and across the country to the next level.
Isah said that NAN was an agency known for timely and accurate dissemination of information; hence, the need for the partnership.
According to him, any agency that has a mandate of doing such is an agency that fosters unity in enlightening and engaging citizens.
He said disaster management had taken a new direction with complex threat that could be natural or human-induced.
“The management of disaster has also taken centre stage globally due to the increase in intensity and frequency of disasters, coupled with climate change and global warming.’’
Isah said that NEMA was the coordinating agency for disaster management in Nigeria with the mandate to formulate policies and programmes.
“NEMA is also saddled with the responsibility to sensitise citizens on disaster prevention and control and collect data from key stakeholders.
“Information is key and it is through sensitisation that we can tell people about mitigation and preparedness, risk reduction and global best practices,” he said.
Isah cited the 2024 flood that affected Maiduguri and Niger as an example of the importance of disaster management.
He said that there was need to create more awareness, particularly at the grassroots where most disasters happen.
Isah said that the partnership with NAN would help to counter fake news, especially on disaster reporting.
He said the collaboration with NAN included training and public enlightenment programmes as well as using local languages to reach the grassroots.
Responding, Alhaji Mohammed Bababusu, NAN Zonal Manager in charge of Niger, Kogi and Nassarawa states, pledged the agency’s readiness to collaborate with NEMA to counter fake news.
According to him, NAN is a Federal Government media outfit with subscribers across all media outlets and internationally recognised agencies.
“So, be rest assured that NAN will effectively disseminate disaster management news in accordance with our slogan ‘Talk to NAN, Talk All’,” he said.
He said that NAN was created to ensure peaceful coexistence of Nigerians, which was why the agency avoided reporting news that created confusion.
Bababusu assured NEMA of NAN’s willingness and interest to partner with the agency in disaster management.
“The development of regional value chains requires an alignment of industrialisation frameworks of which the Special Economic Zones (SEZs) are the main tool,” said Jean Luc Mastaki, Director of the Sub-Regional Office for Central Africa of the Economic Commission for Africa.
Douala, Cameroon
In Douala, Cameroon, from January 21 to 23, 2025, ECA, the African Union, the African Development Bank, UNIDO and UNDP are organising a “symposium for the successful harmonisation of frameworks for the development and operationalisation of special economic zones in Africa”.
Experts from ECCAS and CEMAC member countries as well as the respective RECs will discuss, together with financiers, development partners and the private sector, ways of action to accelerate operationalisation SEZs in Central Africa, as an instrument for inclusive and sustainable industrialisation and economic diversification.
Building on previous milestones such as the first joint session of the Intergovernmental Committee of Senior Officials and Experts held in 2022 in Seychelles, the Sub-Regional Webinar on the Challenges and Opportunities of SEZs in Seychelles, the new generation for economic diversification and industrialization in Central Africa and studies, the symposium has the ultimate goal of structuring a well-understood common commitment.
For example, it is expected that a new Inter-agency working group and a robust regional cooperation platform to accelerate the operationalisation of industrialisation strategies and the implementation of high-potential value chain and next-generation SEZ approaches. Similarly, the symposium should allow the launch of work on the development of a joint programme aimed at supporting the States of the sub-region in the development and implementation of new generation SEZs, which would contribute to industrialisation and other broader economic and social development goals.
Central Africa is committed to reducing its vulnerability to exogenous shocks, of which inflation and debt overhang and fiscal imbalance are the faces. To remedy this, the States and the Regional Economic Communities have defined subregional and national import-substitution strategies.
These strategies, anchored in industrialisation plans, should ensure the successful implementation of the AfCFTA in line with the commitments made at the extraordinary summit of the Union in Niamey (Niger) in November 2022.
The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) has said that the country’s Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) conversion capacity increased by over 2,500 per cent in 2024.
Mr. Farouk Ahmed, Authority Chief Executive, NMDPRA
Mr. Farouk Ahmed, Authority Chief Executive, NMDPRA, said this on Thursday, January 16, 2025, in Abuja at the inaugural Petroleum Industry Stakeholders’ Forum, organised by the Ministry of Petroleum Resources.
Ahmed said that NMDPRA supported the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative (PCNGI) by stimulating 186 new conversion centres which triggered the county’s conversion capacity.
“The NMDPRA will continue to collaborate with the PCNGI to ensure deployment of CNG infrastructure in major cities of Lagos and Abuja, up to 100,000 conversions, while collaborating with states to develop Nigeria Gas Vehicles (NGVs) in other areas.
“The development of CNG as a viable alternative to Petrol has been incentivised.
“These conversions alongside new buys have raised the Nigerian Gas Vehicles population to an estimated 30,000 to 50,000 vehicles and trucks, and it continues to grow daily.
“With over 400 million dollars attracted for investment in 86 and 65 new daughters and mother stations under construction respectively, Nigeria refueling capacity has therefore risen from 20 to 56,” he said.
Ahmed said that the collaboration between PCNGI, NMDPRA and Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) led to the development of standards and the NGV Monitoring System expected to be inaugurated this year.
“The NMDPRA also collaborates with the SON, the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC) and the National Institute of Transportation Technology (NITT) in ensuring that our mobility CNG growth is achieved in a safe and sustainable manner,” he said.
The NMDPRA boss, however, listed some challenges facing the initiative to include establishment and operation of petroleum handling facilities without proper licensing, permits and authorisations.
He listed other challenges to include poor collaborations for Open/ third party access to facilities and lack of cooperation of some operators for an effective regulatory oversight, in line with the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) provisions.
“We implore the industry to adhere to all regulatory requirements, especially as they relate to safety, efficiency, best practices, sustainability, consumer protection and community participation.
“As we progress into 2025, the NMDPRA will continue to consolidate on its successes for enhanced regulatory oversight.
“This will include the upgrade of our laboratories for enhanced product quality analysis and referencing, inter-agency collaborations, automation and sustainability in the industry,” Ahmed said.
The Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) has promised to inaugurate more water projects in Ogoni communities in 2025.
Prof. Nenibarini Zabbey, Project Coordinator, HYPREP
Prof. Nenibarini Zabbey, HYPREP Project Coordinator, made the pledge in a statement made available on Friday, January 17, 2025, in Abuja.
Zabbey said that two additional water schemes in Beeri and Bunu in Khana and Tai Local Government Areas respectively which were in Phase II of the project would be completed and ready for inauguration in February.
He said that the water schemes were part of HYPREP’s mandate to provide potable water to impacted communities in Ogoni.
Zabbey expressed satisfaction at the pace of work and the commitment of community workers to the project shortly after his visit to the water facilities and some shoreline remediation sites in K-Dere, Gokana LGA.
He said he was impressed with the water projects at very advanced stages of completion, assuring that more communities would have access to clean drinking water.
Zabbey reiterated that the project was community-centric as both stakeholder buy-in and useful feedback were necessary for effective project implementation,
He promised to attend to the demands of K-Dere community.
The project coordinator advocated for women inclusion in the proposed meeting with K-Dere community.
He said that, as drivers of the local economy, women should not be left out in discussions that would affect them.
“In 2025, we will embark on a lot of trading with the youth and women of Ukoni especially in the area of agribusiness to build their capacity in aquaculture.’’
Zabbey promised to organise trainings in sustainable aquaculture for the people of the area to enhance food security in the region, assuring that Ogoniland would contribute to national food security.
“HYPREP is currently carrying out 34 shoreline remediation works in Gokana LGA and the construction of 14 water lots in its Phase II water project which will provide potable water to 68 communities.
“Currently, the shoreline cleanup is at 25 per cent completion, covering 123 grids across 357.6 of 1747.6 ha. Also the general percentage completion for the 14 water lots is 55.56 per cent.’’
He expressed satisfaction over the return of oysters to the community.
“Oyster is a salt water bivalve molluscs that was once in abundance before the environmental pollution in the creeks.’’
Zabbey attributed the positive development to an improvement in the ecosystem following the ongoing remediation of the environment by HYPREP.
“So, what we are doing is not just for the Ogoni people, it is also for contiguous communities.
“It is also for Nigerians because Ogoni used to be a full basket of this region and what we are doing will return Ogoni a better state,” Zabbey said.
Strengthening Nigeria’s wildlife protection laws is essential for conserving biodiversity and ensuring sustainable development.
Nigerian authorities must urgently prioritise reinforcing wildlife protection laws to safeguard the country’s rich biodiversity, including its animals, plants, and ecosystems, from the escalating threats of trafficking and habitat destruction.
Cross River National Park
Giving strength to these laws is imperative, as existing federal and state regulations have been ineffective in holding wildlife traffickers and poachers accountable despite criminalising the killing and trading of protected species.
Existing laws, such as the Endangered Species (Control of International Trade and Traffic) Act, of 1985, may lack comprehensive wildlife protection and enforcement provisions. Inadequate penalties for wildlife crimes fail to deter poaching and illegal trade.
In addition, corruption within law enforcement agencies hampers the effective implementation of wildlife protection laws. For instance, despite significant seizures, including Nigeria’s interception of 9.5 metric tons of pangolin scales worth $25.9 million in 2020 and a record-breaking 9.4 tonnes in 2024, the country remains a global hub for wildlife trafficking.
Investigations reveal systemic issues, including poor prosecution rates and lenient penalties, such as fines as low as N100,000 ($64) for traffickers of endangered species. These challenges undermine conservation efforts and Nigeria’s international commitments.
At the federal level, Nigeria’s wildlife laws lack the stringent measures seen in other regions, such as East and Southern Africa. For example, the practice of “compounding”, where offenders pay fines instead of facing prosecution, creates loopholes that traffickers exploit.
Although agencies like NESREA and NCS cite resource constraints as a barrier to effective enforcement, strengthening legal frameworks and securing adequate funding could mitigate these challenges. Apart from these, insufficient training and resources for enforcement officers also lead to poor monitoring and enforcement of existing regulations.
Deforestation, urbanisation, and agricultural expansion destroy habitats, threatening wildlife populations. Inadequate land-use planning and enforcement of zoning laws also exacerbate habitat loss.
Furthermore, local communities’ lack of involvement in wildlife conservation efforts can lead to conflicts and non-compliance with laws.
Communities often depend on wildlife for their livelihoods, which can lead to poaching and illegal trade if alternative livelihoods are not provided. There’s also the factor of insufficient funding for wildlife conservation programmes and enforcement activities that limit the effectiveness of existing laws.
Many conservation initiatives rely on external financing, which can be inconsistent. To further strengthen the wildlife protection laws in a bid to safeguard the country’s rich biodiversity, the following solutions come in handy: A bill is underway at the National House of Assembly to review and amend existing wildlife protection laws, including stricter poaching and illegal trade penalties. The proposed Wildlife Protection Bill, championed by Terseer Ugbor, the Deputy Chairman of the House Committee on Environment, aims to address critical gaps in Nigeria’s conservation laws by introducing stricter penalties, empowering courts to expedite cases, and expanding investigative powers to include financial tracking.
If passed, it would disrupt illegal wildlife trade networks and align Nigeria’s policies with international best practices.
“Wildlife trafficking is not just a crime against nature; it is a threat to our planet’s delicate balance. This Bill ensures we act decisively to protect and preserve these irreplaceable components of our natural heritage, recognizing our responsibility to future generations,” said Ugbor on the Bill’s passage.
“This legislation is not just about what happens within these legislative walls; it’s about a collective effort. This bill is a beacon of hope in escalating environmental challenges. It reflects our commitment to a sustainable future where humans and wildlife coexist harmoniously. Let us pass this legislation for the sake of our planet, for the generations to come, and for the preservation of Nigeria’s natural heritage.”
Experts say the bill’s success will depend on robust implementation and inter-agency cooperation, especially with agencies like the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) and the National Environment Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA).
There’s also the need to dedicate resources to these wildlife law enforcement agencies to enhance their capacity to monitor and enforce laws.
Additionally, the necessary stakeholders must implement training programmes for enforcement officers to improve their skills in wildlife protection.
Community engagement is also crucial. These communities are often the first point of contact for wildlife criminal syndicates to recruit poachers who perpetuate wildlife crimes. As a result, local communities closer to national parks and game reserves should be engaged in conservation efforts by providing alternative livelihoods and involving them in decision-making processes.
It is key to establish community-based wildlife management programmes that empower locals to protect their natural resources.
Additionally, there’s a need to increase educational campaigns to raise awareness about the importance of wildlife conservation and the legal consequences of wildlife crimes. The majority of the citizenry is ignorant about the law, including the endangered species in Nigeria, and why they must be protected at all costs.
However, promoting the value of biodiversity and its importance to nature and the public will go a long way in encouraging public support for wildlife protection.
Beyond awareness, the government should establish a robust monitoring system to track wildlife populations and assess the effectiveness of conservation laws. Invest in research to understand wildlife conservation’s ecological and economic impacts and inform policy decisions.
In conclusion, strengthening Nigeria’s wildlife protection laws requires a multifaceted approach that addresses legal, social, and economic challenges. By reforming laws, enhancing enforcement, engaging communities, and fostering international cooperation, Nigeria can make significant strides in wildlife conservation and ensure the protection of its rich biodiversity for future generations.
By Ajibola Adedoye
This article (“Strengthening Nigeria’s wildlife protection laws: A critical analysis of challenges and solutions”) was funded by a grant from the United States Department of State (via Wild Africa). The opinions, findings, and conclusions stated herein are those of the author(s) and do notnecessarily reflect those of the United States Department of State
The International Climate Change Development Initiative (ICCDI) has launched a project that entails the construction of toilets with plastic bottles across the six geo-political zones of Nigeria.
Olumide Idowu, Executive Director, ICCDI, while making this announcement in Lagos on Thursday, January 16, 2025, at the official launch of the project, noted that the initiative is aimed at tackling two pressing environmental and public health challenges.
Delegates at ICCDI press conference
He said: “ICCDI with the support of Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI) is proud to announce the launch of a project focused on reducing plastic waste through innovative bottle toilets.
“This project will specifically engage and empower women and youth across six states: Kano, Adamawa, Osun, Akwa Ibom, Enugu, and Niger.
“Plastic pollution is rapidly becoming one of the most severe environmental issues of our time, with millions of plastic bottles ending up in landfills and oceans each year. Simultaneously, open defecation remains a significant public health crisis in Nigeria, leading to the spread of diseases and affecting the dignity and safety of individuals, particularly women and girls.
“This project seeks to address both issues by providing sustainable sanitation solutions while involving the community in climate action,” he stated.
On the ways the project will empower women and youth across the six geo political zones, Idowu noted: “The importance of this initiative cannot be overstated, particularly in regions where women and youth play pivotal roles in community development and environmental stewardship. By actively engaging these groups, the project promises to foster a sense of ownership and responsibility towards local environmental issues.
“Apart from this, participants will receive training on how to construct and maintain bottle toilets using recycled materials. This practical skill promotes sustainability and empowers women and youth with valuable knowledge that can enhance their livelihood opportunities.
“Women and youth will be encouraged to take on leadership roles within their communities, driving the message of climate action and sanitation solutions. By nurturing these future leaders, we are investing in a generation that prioritises environmental sustainability and public health.
“The project will include awareness campaigns to educate community members about the benefits of reducing plastic waste and the importance of proper sanitation. These campaigns will be designed and executed by women and youth, ensuring that the messaging resonates with the local population.
“The anticipated outcomes of this project are multifaceted and transformative: By repurposing plastic bottles into functional toilets, we aim to significantly reduce the amount of plastic waste in the environment. This innovative approach not only addresses waste management but also enhances community sanitation infrastructure.
“The introduction of bottled toilets will help combat open defecation, leading to improved sanitary conditions. This is particularly vital for women and girls, who often face increased risks of harassment and health issues due to a lack of safe sanitation facilities.
“By fostering a sense of community involvement and ownership, the project aims to build resilience against climate change. Women and youth equipped with knowledge and resources will be better positioned to advocate for sustainable practices in their communities.
“As participants learn to construct and maintain bottle toilets, they will have the potential to create small businesses around sanitation solutions. This not only provides economic benefits but also promotes a circular economy approach by utilizing waste materials” he stated.
The ICDDI Executive Director further declared stated that November 19, 2025, a day that coincides with World Toilet Day, has been set aside as the day to concurrently commission the projects in all the six locations.
Recall that on July 18, 2024, ICCDI commissioned a six-unit toilet for pupils and teachers of Ilasamaja Primary School, Lagos. It is on this achievement the climate advocacy group has embarked on this latest initiative, ensuring that something similar is replicated across the country in order to address open defecation and plastic pollution challenges in the country.
As part of Nigeria’s efforts to increase its response to the Paris Agreement’s transparency requirements, key actors from a wide range of government ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs); civil society representatives; as well as the media have been trained in data collecting, processing, and reporting.
The transparency provisions of Article 13 of the Paris Agreement on climate change require developing countries to regularly monitor, analyse, and report their national greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and removals; provide information necessary to track progress towards achieving their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs); provide information related to climate change adaptation and mitigation; and provide information on financial, technology transfer, and capacity-building support needed.
A group of participants at the event
This event, which took place on Thursday, January 16, 2025, in Abuja, under the Global Environment Facility’s Capacity Building Initiative for Transparency (GEF-CBIT) project, offered the participants the opportunity to learn about the various components, structure, and goals of the programme.
It also served as a platform to define the roles and responsibilities of each participating institution and outline approaches for strengthening capacity in GHG data management.
The exercise also facilitated discussions on timelines, expected outcomes, and coordination mechanisms among stakeholders while facilitating dialogues on baseline data collection, inter-agency collaboration, and technical considerations.
“Indeed, I am delighted that Nigeria has been driving an ambitious global agenda to address these crises,” Mahmud Adam Kambari, Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Environment, stated.
The PS, represented by Dr. Ama Moses, Director, Forestry and National Coordinator REDD+, asserts that, while the world is facing a global catastrophe of biodiversity loss, and pollution, the need to join forces in adapting to climate change impacts cannot be overemphasised.
He highlighted the numerous impacts of climate change experienced in the country, such as an increase in the frequency and severity of extreme weather events, the prolonged droughts, and its impacts on the country’s agricultural sector.
Kambari went on to list the nation’s continual massive deforestation, gaps in access to clean energy, the environmental effects of our fuel industry, and the encroachment of rising sea levels on our coastal regions as additional environmental challenges.
According to him, the success of this project requires a whole-of-government, whole-of-society approach, as well as good coordination and coherence among government’s MDAs, as well as representatives from civil society groups.
Despite the aforementioned setbacks, he was encouraged that Nigeria had taken steps to increase climate ambition by adopting policies and programmes to address these concerns, forming catalytic partnerships, and mobilising financing to reach its net-zero pledge by 2060 while maintaining economic development.
“I am glad to see many of those present here. It is your job to kick start this process here today. We need to ensure that we instrumentalise and accelerate action across sectors and society toward the reporting and realisation of the goals of the Paris Agreement,” Kambari told the attendees in preparation for the task ahead.
Dr. Joseph Onoja, Director General of the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF), wants to see more stakeholders involved and raise awareness among those who will be working on how to address these issues, both in the public and private sectors.
This is significant, he believes, because “our lives depend on the environment. It is good for us to take care of it, so that it will in return take care of us.”
It would be ideal, he suggested, if Nigeria could get grants rather than loans to fund its climate initiatives. He stressed that high interest rates on loans hold developing countries behind and that it is difficult to use loans for development, noting that developing countries receive loans at higher interest rates than industrialised nations.
Another thing he mentioned that Nigeria requires is the capacity for accountability in handling these grants so that they are not issued and then nothing is observed on the ground.
That framework must be in place, he explained, which is why the workshop is so crucial in terms of transparency.
“So, if we are going to be transparent and accountable in all we do, including money management, we must do so,” Dr. Onoja said.
The Federal Government of Nigeria has unveiled the Global Environment Facility-Capacity Building Initiative for Transparency (GEF-CBIT) project to promote transparency and accountability in reporting climate action.
Malam Balarabe Lawal, Minister of Environment
Mr. Mahmud Kambari, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, disclosed this on Thursday, January 16, 2025, in Abuja at the Inception workshop for sensitisation of key government stakeholders on (GEF-CBIT) project in Nigeria.
Kambari, who was represented by Dr Ama Moses, Director, Forestry in the ministry, said that the project would promote transparency and accountability in reporting climate action to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
The theme of the workshop is “Strengthening the Capacity of Institutions in Nigeria to Implement the Transparency Requirements of the Paris Agreement.’’
Kambari said Nigeria, as a signatory to the Paris Agreement, unveiled the project which was anchored on the Capacity Building Initiative for Transparency (CBIT) that was established in 2016 by the GEF at the request of Parties of the Paris Agreement.
“The objective of this project is to strengthen the institutional and technical capacity of Nigeria to respond to the transparency requirements of the Paris agreement.
“In doing this, the project will strengthen the capacity of institutions in the key Green House Gas (GHG) emissions sectors to manage Nigeria’s GHG inventory, Measuring, Reporting and Verification (MRV) system.’’
Kambari said that the project would equally track implementation of Nigeria’s Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) in order to improve transparency over time.
The permanent secretary said that GEF funded project sought to support Nigeria in meeting the enhanced transparency requirements defined in Article 13 of the Paris Agreement.
“The transparency provisions of the Paris Agreement require developing countries to regularly monitor, analyse and report their national GHG emissions (by sources) and removals (sinks).
“The provisions also require them to provide information necessary to track progress towards achieving their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).
“Also, the developing countries are required to provide information related to climate change adaptation and mitigation as well as information on financial, technology transfer and capacity building support needed and received.
“We need to ensure that we instrumentalise and accelerate action across sectors and society towards the reporting and realisation of the goals of the Paris Agreement,” he said.
In his opening remarks, Dr Adesoji Adeyemi, Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) National Consultant, GHG and MRV, said that FAO strategic objective was Climate Mitigation and Agri-food System which perfectly aligned with UNFCCC objective.
According to him, FAO recognises the need for technical support in the area of capacity-building for Nigerian institutions.
“This will enable Nigeria to move towards a more self-sufficient arrangement for GHG emission data compilation, reporting, verification and tracking of NDCs in terms of GHG emission and mitigation efforts.
“Regarding the NDC partnership, FAO has past and ongoing engagements in more than 40 countries.
“This project GEF-CBIT is anchored on the capacity building and transparency requirements of the Paris Agreement which was established in 2016 by GEF,” Adeyemi said.
