The United Nations Office of Drug Crimes in Nigeria says the office will continue to support Nigeria in its National strategy to combat forest crime.
Country representative of the agency, Mr Oliver Stolpe gave the assurance during a courtesy visit to the minster of State for Environment, Dr Iziaq Salako, in Abuja.
He said that the UNODC has been partnering with the ministry for some years and other relevant stakeholders in the environmental sector.
“It is a great pleasure to have this opportunity to congratulate on your appointment, and to start discussing how the UNODC can help the Ministry to achieved its vision under your leadership.With the general support of the government of Germany and the EU we have embarked on different projects to help the Ministry and other stakeholders to develop the first ever National Strategy to combat wildlife and forest crime in Nigeria, it is really a mile stone and great achievement and of course the real work of the strategy have been adopted .” Mr Stolpe said.
He added that the UNDOC is also partnering with the Nigeria custom service, National Park service in given life to the National strategy, while also reiterating the UNODC commitment in ensuring that the Nigerian environment is protected.
While receiving the guests, the Nigeria’s Minister of State for Environment Dr Iziaq Salako says he is ready to work in collaboration with relevant stakeholders in promoting the Nigerian Biodiversity.
He said his administration is determined to protect the environment which is one of his core mandate.
“The Environment is a gift from God every member of the environment, from animal, plants and non-living things has a role to play, and man as a head of that pinnacle has a responsibility to ensure that there is harmonious and symbiotic relationship between every member of the environment therefore we have the responsibility to protect the plants, protect the animals, so that our planet earth can remain in a harmonious relationship where everybody can have the benefit of the gift of God” .Salako said explained
He also noted that the Ministry would create more awareness on issues relating to the environment while also ensuring that it delivers on its mandate.
“I want to assure you as the Minister of State for Environment my office will be open, the Ministry is available for collaboration the issue of creating awareness is very critical because quite a number of things we do in the Ministry alot of it are as a result of adverse human activities, therefore we have a duty in trying to deliver on our mandate to ensure that we create the level of awareness for our people i am going to looking up at UNODC in supporting in whatever way in achieving this” He stated.
The Minister also appeal for more support and collaboration from the UNODC in ensuring that the country’s National parks are safe from wildlife crime.
Dr Salako said the ministry is also working on how to used technology in maintaining security in the National parks.
“Our National parks, we have challenges of maintaining security and we are looking at how to used technology in maintaining security in our National parks, because if the parks are not saved visitors, tourists won’t come and if we cannot secure our parks most of these animals we are talking about will be illegally taken and trade, i hope UNODC will also support us in this.” He said.
In a related development, the Minister also received the Director General of the Africa Climate Forum Dr George Nwangu, where he reiterated the government commitment to ensuring that the country’s energy transition plan is actualized.
He said that government is passionate about the Engergy Transition plan which will also address the crisis of climate change.
“The energy transition plan is not going to be a paper work but something that will touch the lives of Nigerians, something that will address the current level of energy poverty that Nigerians are facing, and also address crisis in areas of climate change we are very determined to collaborate with anyone who can support and collaborate to ensure we achieve that.” He explained
The Director General of the Africa Climate Forum Dr George Nwangu, said that the forum is to bring stakeholders in the in private sector on how best the issues of climate change can be address. He said the visit was to seek partnerships and collaboration from the Ministry.
“Energy Transition and Climate change has become one of the most important issues in the world righ now we realise the importance of this to Nigeria, Nigeria is a crude oil producer Nigeria lacks energy access our citizens do not have electricity yet we need to make a transition from fossil fuel which we have in abundance and we need to transition to renewable energy sources “ He explained.
He said the aim of the Forum is to bring together government Stakeholders and private sector in the environment sector to discuss issues on the climate change and proffer solutions to them.
