Ben Ezechime, Enugu
Hon. Sam Onuigbo, a former federal Lawmaker has urged Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to mainstream Climate Change in their annual budgets as enshrined by the Act establishing them.
Onuigbo, who represented Ikwuano/Umuahia North and South Federal Constituency from 2015 to 2019, made the call in an interview with newsmen on Tuesday in Enugu.
He said that section 22 of the Act mandated MDAs to have a climate change desk officer that would ensure that climate action was mainstreamed into annual budget plans and budgeting of all MDAs in Nigeria.
The climate change expert, however, regretted that many MDAs were not aware of the Act and emphasised the need to create awareness towards implementation of the law.
He said that the strict adherence to 2021 Climate Change Act would mitigate the impact of climate change in the country.
According to him, such adherence would also enable the country achieve its target of net-zero emissions between 2050 and 2070 and harness gains of climate change.
Onuigbo further explained that the Act provided legal backing for Nigeria to attain their climate goals, adding that without the legal framework, the country would have no obligation to enforce the law.
“The Act was structured to provide overarching on climate actions in the country and actualise its net-zero pledge.
“It provided Nigeria a framework for achieving low greenhouse gas emissions, inclusive green growth and sustainable economic development.
“These responsibilities were not just for public entities but include private sectors, Civil Society Organisations as well as inclusion of climate education in our educational curricula at all level.
“Also, there is need to reduce emission from deforestation, forest degradation to sustain and manage our forestry.
“The carbon budget will make five-yearly provisions that will help with emissions reductions and guide the country to net zero by 2050 to 2070,” the former lawmakers said.
Onuigbo equally said that flourishing global carbon market offered the country opportunity to explore climate while the Act made provision for setting up mechanism for carbon emissions trading and carbon tax.
He lauded the Federal Government for taking key actions on climate change which include the enactment of the Electricity Act 2023 for improved access to renewables and Presidential Initiative for Compressed Natural Gas (CNG).
Others are launching of Nigeria’s Long-Term Low Emissions Development Strategy, Flagging off the Nigeria Carbon Market Activation Plan, mandating MDAs to buy CNG powered vehicles, launching of National Clean Cooking Gas Policy among others.
