Resource Mobilization: Pan Africa Great Green World seeks more funds

The Pan Africa Great Green World (PAGGW), has called on member countries to pay their dues for the implementation of its programmes.

The Executive Secretary of the Agency, Dr Said Ibrahim stated this during a working visit to Nigeria’s Minister of State for Environment and Chairperson of PAGGW, Sharon Ikeazor in Abuja, the nation’s capital.

“Many countries have not paid their dues, we have about eight million dollars arrears, we like you to appeal to the President, PAGGW to inform his peers so that countries can pay their dues. Many financial donors have made pledges but these pledges have not been redeemed, we are also urging the President of the Summit of Heads of states to appeal to other member countries Ministers of finances to fast-track the contribution to help the agency carry out its activities.”

Dr Said, also stressed that the payment of member dues and economic funds of the PAGGW is also extremely important because it was a decision the Agency made to mobilise private sector so that the product of the Great Green Wall (GGW) can be known at the National level and also imported.

He, however, appealed for the creation of National Coalitions on GGW to enable the Agency to create synergy to bring together all the actors at the National level to channel their funds and also help the Agency operate better.

The Chairperson of PAGGW and Minister of State for Environment, Sharon Ikeazor, suggested that the Secretariat work in collaboration with the former President of the Republic of Niger, Mr. Mamadou Issoufou, who is the Champion of the Great Green Wall for resource mobilization, especially from international financial Institutions.

“I have personally engaged some development partners during the recently concluded fifth session of the United Nations Environment Assembly held in Nairobi, Kenya to support the PAGGW.” Ikeazor explained.

She also reiterates Nigeria’s commitment in supporting the PAGGW to provide the Great Integrator programme with its own financial instrument and to the recommendation of the 4th session of the conference of Head of States and governments of the PAGGW.

“I urge you to ensure timely implementation of the decisions taken at the 4th ordinary session of the head of states and governments of the PAGGW in December 2021. Although some of the decisions are long-term, I advise the Secretariat to develop short, medium and long-term strategies to ensure the successful implementation.”

According to Ikeazor, “The Secretariat must ensure the technical and financial viability to operationalize these recommendations, this will form part of President Muhammadu Buhari’s roadmap in providing purposeful leadership towards addressing land degradation, Climate Change, deforestation, food security, desertification and biodiversity in Africa, within the two years of his tenure. “

She appeal to the Agency to expedite the process of filling up all available vacancies, adding that the secretariat needs to fill all vacant statutory positions from members states that are not represented at the secretariat.

The Executive Secretary of PAGGW, Dr Ibrahim Said, said the Agency has also confirmed the addition of many countries except those in the northern Sahara.

“Many countries have accepted their applications, to become members of this agency, they are , Gambia, Cameroon, and Somalia, also Algeria, Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia and Ivory-coast also wish to be members of the Great Green World, So at the Council meeting we will like you to make suggestions, so that the Councils of ministers can be contacted on this issues.”

In 2021, Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari was appointed as the President of the Great Green Wall in Africa for the next two years, at the end of the 4th Ordinary Session of the Conference of Heads of States and Government, CHSG, of the Pan African Agency for the Great Green Wall.

PIAK