Original post on Premium Times
The federal government said it has ratified the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, UNFCCC, and the Minamata Convention on Mercury, a decision that would soon be forwarded to the appropriate authorities.
The Minister of State for Environment, Ibrahim Jibril, said this at the 11th meeting of the National Council of Environment held in Abeokuta, Ogun State capital.
”We have ratified the treaty and also signed the Minamata convention on mercury and also obtained Mr President’s signature on the instrument of ratification last week. The instrument is about to be forwarded to the United Nations”, Mr Jibril said at the meeting.
The Minamata Convention on Mercury is an international treaty designed to protect human health and the environment from anthropogenic emissions and releases of mercury and related compounds.
The UNFCCC, on the other hand, is a global treaty adopted on May 9, 1992 and opened for signature at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro June 14, 1992. It was enforced March 21, 1994, after a sufficient number of countries had ratified it. The UNFCCC objective is to stabilize greenhouse emissions to a level that would prevent dangerous climatic effects. About 168 nations have signed it so far.
The minister, while speaking on the theme of the meeting, “Unlocking the Investment Opportunities in the Environment Sector towards Nigeria’s Economic Recovery, Diversification, Growth and Sustainable Development”, said the development came at a time the government at all levels were keying into the change mantra of the federal government.
”Indeed, these are tough and challenging times for the Nigerian economy. I believe this informs the choice of the theme for this forum which could not have come at a better time than now, considering the policy direction and focus of this administration,” he added.
Mr. Jubril also said that, against the backdrop of recent recovery of the nation from economic recession as well as adoption of global initiatives towards the use of renewable energy sources, the federal government was committed to finding alternative sources of revenue to sustain the recovery process.
Mr. Jibril noted that in the light of this, the government recently launched the Economic Recovery and Growth plan, 2017-2020 economic blueprint to aid the nation in its strides to revive all sectors.
The host governor, Ibikunle Amosun, in his remarks warned that environmental issues should not be treated with levity because of its link with economic development.
He added that most of the adverse climatic and environmental conditions are a manifestation of man’s ”inadvertent but cruel response to climate.”
“There are records to show that countries that have developed remarkably paid particular attention to the human and environmental implications of their actions”, he said.
“We must learn from the experiences of other nations. Economic development pattern has shown that there is a direct link, not just between the environment, but the way we treat our environment, and socio-economic development,” Mr. Amosun added.