By Faridat Salifu
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has pledged its support to Nigeria in the development of a comprehensive roadmap for the environmental sector.
The the new Resident Representative of the UNDP, Ms. Elsie Attafuah announced this on Wednesday during a visit to the Minister of Environment, Balarabe Abbas Lawal.
The Minister expressed his appreciation for the UNDP’s commitment and highlighted the urgent need for collaboration in addressing climate change challenges, ensuring environmental sustainability, and combating insecurity and banditry in the country’s forests.
In response, Ms. Attafuah emphasized the importance of addressing energy as a national security issue and stressed the need for greater efforts in energy, climate change, innovation, plastic pollution, conservation, and biodiversity across Nigeria and African nations.
The new UNDP Resident Representative reassured her dedication to supporting Nigeria in the development of its environmental roadmap and achieving the 18 key priority deliverables outlined in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
She underscored the significance of collaboration with the Ministry of Environment to address the ongoing climate change crisis.
Reflecting on her recent posting to Nigeria, Ms. Attafuah expressed her eagerness to work hand-in-hand with the Ministry to combat pollution, preserve biodiversity, tackle erosion and flood control, and address desert encroachment, among other critical environmental issues.
The partnership between Nigeria and the UNDP in developing a sustainable environmental strategy marks a significant step towards enhancing environmental resilience and fostering a more sustainable future for the nation.