By Dele Ogbodo
The Minister of Environment, Dr. Mahmood Mohammed Abubakar, has expressed dissatisfaction with developed countries over their inability
to finance Climate Change commitments made to African countries.
In a statement signed by the Director, Press and Public Relations in the ministry, Mr. Saghir el Mohammed, which was made available to SHARPEDGENews, the Minister called on nations across the globe to give the climate change the urgent attention it deserves, stressing that it is a global threat to world peace and development.
The Minister, who was quoted as speaking at the sideline of the event put together by Islamic Develop Bank (IDB) on Climate Finance at the ongoing COP 25 holding at Madrid, Spain.
the Minister stated: “Every single nation, either in the middle of the ocean, at the edge of the desert or in the middle of it needs to do something about Climate adaptation, mitigation, resilient and nationally determine contributions in addressing climate change.
“There are common denominators in the climate change issue that every country across the globe must do something about, and Nigeria is not an exemption.
“We have been very active in the climate adaption and we will continue to progress in this regards to contribute to global efforts at ameliorating climate change being the biggest threat to the planet at the moment.”
The minister according to the statement underscored the commitment of President Muhammadu Buhari, in its determination at realising Nigeria’s Nationally Determine Contributions (NDC), adding that a lot has been done and much more will be done.
He said: “I share the sentiment of other African countries of not getting enough of climate funds. We are calling on the developed countries who are also the major pollutants to fulfill their promises of providing more climate funds to the developing nations.”
Mahmood, also expressed optimism that Nigerian delegates to COP 25 will negotiate to get as much as possible of the climate funds as they can bargain for, while at the same time be innovative to generate its own green funds noting that climate financing is a cooperation for global survival.
“We will aim as high as we can. This is something a lot of countries are aiming at. It is a global cooperation for survival because we belong to one planet. Whatever happens in Nigeria can affect America vice-visa.”
“Nigeria will do whatever it takes in our own capacity to see that we acquire as much as we can while at the same time be as innovative as we can to generate our own green fund internally” the Minister emphasised.” He said.