Nigeria will continue address problems leading to emission of Greenhouse Gases by implementing measures to cut down on carbon emissions. These indications were dropped by Professor Aliyu Jauro, Director-General/Chief Executive of the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency(NESREA) when he appeared on Arise Television Morning Show programme on Friday, Sept 30, at their Lagos Studious. He said that already, this has been achieved by as much as 47%.
Professor Jauro who refuted claims that Nigeria was out to please the International Community by resisting change, said, rather the Federal Government was highly committed to all climate change and Paris Change Agreement. “Don’t forget that NESREA is tasked with the responsibility of enforcing all environmental laws, protocols and guidelines”, he stated.
The Director-General further applauded President Muhammadu Buhari’s speech at the just concluded United Nations General Assembly affirming Nigeria’s strong commitment to switch to greener forms of energy.
He gave assurance that though Africans are the least emitters of Greenhouse Gases, mainly responsible for climate change, the Federal Government was embarking on massive Tree Planting campaign to mitigate carbon by absolving the Co2 in the air and effect the change. “These problems are enormous and don’t respect any boundary, but we have begun to solve the issues involved”.
The Director-General explained that Nigeria’s would make substantial progress notwithstanding the challenges ahead. “we have a lot of sustainable programmes in place to ensure that this happens”, he said.
Speaking further, Professor Jauro said that environmental issues like drought, desertification and flooding was already being addressed and receiving the highest attention. “we are duty bound to deliver on best environmental practice and enforce compliance on International Laws, Protocols, Treaties and Conventions”, he said.
Answering a question on the resurgent trade on endangered species such as Pangolins, Elephant Tusk and other animals, the Director-General vowed that under his watch, Nigeria will not be used as a transit hub and dumping ground for hazardous substances. “On this subject, we are sensitizing Nigerians and collaborating with Nigeria Customs Service to ensure that our ecosystem is protected and biodiversity preserved”.
Meanwhile, Jauro reminded Nigerians, that these illegal trading does not emanate from the country, he assured that strategies were in place to tackle any development being signatory to the CITES Convention. And as part of that commitment, the CITES Endangered Species Act was domesticated and amended in 2016, stressing that the agency followed that up with a regulation titled: National Environmental on Trade and Endangered Species, 2014.
He also cautioned against the activities of Real Estate Operators which impact negatively on the environment especially in the area of flooding. He said there should be some kind of restrictions to ensure that development is carried out in sustainable manner. “We are closely monitoring the situation and looking forward to meeting with stakeholders in the construction sector to address the issues”, he revealed.
The Director-General gave the assurances that NESREA is poised to implement policies leading to enforcement of all environmental laws, policies, guidelines adding that the future of Green Energy is now; he therefore encourages Nigerians to work towards harnessing the power of renewable energy and work towards a low carbon economy.
Professor Aliyu Jauro has received wide applause from stakeholders for his deft management of the environmental agency to date.
