House of Representatives has passed a bill seeking the establishment of National Council on Climate Change as a step to provide for the mainstreaming of climate change actions in Nigeria.
This motion sponsored by Mr Sam Onuigbo, from Abia State aim at providing Nigeria the legal framework that will help coordinate its efforts at climate change mitigation and adaptation.
Mr Sam Onuigbo, explained that the proposed legislation suggested that the National Council on Climate Change if established would be headed by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria with the Vice-President as the Vice-Chairman.
Ministers of Environment, Petroleum Resources, Budget and National Planning, Minister of Justice, Mines and Steel Development, Finance, Agriculture and Rural Development to serve as members.
Other members of the Council include Ministers of Power, Women Affairs, Transportation, Water Resources, Governor of Central Bank, National Security Adviser, Chairman Nigerian Governors Forum, President of the Association of Local Governments Employees of Nigeria and a representative of the private sector on climate change or environment related matters.
The Bill also seeks for the establishment of a Secretariat to the National Council on Climate Change to be headed by a Director-General which shall be the Council’s administrative and technical arm and shall, on behalf of the Council monitor efforts by public and private entities to carry out their climate change responsibilities and report to the Council and the National Assembly.
At a press breifing, sponsor of the Bill, Sam Onuigbo, said the proposed legislation is awaiting concurrence by the Senate for onward transmission to the President for assent.
Mohammed Tsibiri