The Nigerian government says it will partner with Poland in the area of flood management to curb disasters capable of destroying livelihoods and environment.
Nigeria’s Minister of Environment Mr Abdullahi Muhammed said this when the Poland Ambassador to Nigeria paid a him a courtesy visit in Abuja, the Nation’s capital.
He said some of the important areas the government was also focusing on are Biodiversity loss, afforestation especially in the Sahel region.
“We are delighted to welcome you to our office to explore opportunities to deepen our bilateral relationship. We have interest, in flood management, Biodiversity and afforestation. President Muhammadu Buhari last year, assumed the leadership of the PAN Africa Great Green World Agency, which is essentially focusing, more on afforestation and other similar projects,“ the Minister stated.
The Minister also reiterated the government’s commitment to work with Poland in the area of circular economy.
He said the Ministry was also working with state and local government in synergy towards having a better waste management system.
“Wastes are generated at communities local and state levels. We are not there at the state level, what we can do is to develop these policies through the Ministry to see how they can also partner with us in the implementation of these policies.”
“We have issue to do with flood management generally. The Ministry has a department that essentially look at erosion caused by flood, natural factors and other man made factors, so we can have these mechanisms to provide information and data to states to avert disasters by giving early warning signs, “he explained.
Minister of State for Environment Sharon Ikeazor also noted that the government was also looking forward to work with the government of Poland on Biodiversity loss so as to adequately tackle the issues of Climate change in the country.
“One area that Nigeria will be focusing on is Biodiversity conservation. As we know that with Climate Change, if they don’t tackle the issue of Biodiversity loss we won’t be able to adequately tackle the issues of Climate change.
So, we look forward to collaborating with the government of Poland and also in the area of green technology as we are all looking at having hydrogen, which is another area of carbon structures stories as well in our effort to mitigate our Green House Gas Emission.”
Poland Ambassador to Nigeria Joanna Tarnawska said the country would continue to work with the Nigerian government in the areas of environmental protection.
She said the meeting was to establish series of corporation within the environmental protection between Poland and Nigeria for new avenue of cooperation and also work together for a better and cleaner environment for all.
“The Poland government is trying to take care of biodiversity in a way that Nigeria environment will be protected and with this meeting we can establish serious cooperation between the ministry and Poland.
She adds that what Poland is out for is sustainable transaction for a healthy environment.
Lateefah Ibrahim
