The Federal Government has called on the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to support Nigeria on effective implementation of the National Environmental Action Plan (NEAP) policy for environmental sustainability of the country.
The Minister of Environment, Alhaji Mohammed Abdullahi, made the call at a launch of National Consultation Leadership Dialogue for the Stockholm +50, in Abuja on Thursday.
The minister was represented by Mr Stanley Jonah, Director, Planning, Research and Statistics of the ministry.
Abdullahi said that the support would help in the implementation of other programmes in the sector.
“The support will bring an elaborate process of developing AEAP, for a holistic approach to the management of the country’s environmental policies”, he said.
Prof. Emmanuel Oladipo, National Coordinator for the Leadership Dialogue, said that the essence of the meeting was to let the world know the importance of environment and take the issue seriously for its sustainability.
“Such process, which started in 1972 cumulated into series of global conventions, such as climate change, biodiversity, drought and desertification conventions,” he said.
The UNDP Resident Programme, Nigeria, Mr Lealem BerhanuDinku, said that 50 years ago, the environment was healthy because human activities were managed.
“The environment has damaged today because of various activities by individuals.”
Mrs Linda Pedersen, First Secretary, Head of Administration, Sweden Embassy, urged Nigerians to take environment challenges as their responsibility.
Pederson added that in celebrating Stockholm 50 +, the world should try to add speedy action to deliver a healthy environment.
