By Deldavdan Afowha
The Minister of Science Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, has attributed the herdsmen/farmer clashes as a fallout
of climate change resulting from depleting arable land.
He stressed the need to fight desert encroachment and other problems arising from depleting arable land because, according to him, “there will be nothing to present to the future generation”.
The Minister tasked the National Steering Committee On Technology Needs Assessment (TNA) on climate change to come out with practicable solutions that will combat the challenges of desert and coastal encroachment in the country.
Dr. Onu gave the challenge while declaring open the Inception workshop on technology needs assessment for climate change mitigation and adaptation in Nigeria on Monday in Abuja.
He also called on research institutes across the country to apply Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) to address the challenges of climate change in the country.
According to him, the ministry of science and technology is working closely with its environment counterpart to work out solution and ensure that Nigeria is enabled to solve many problems associated with climate change.
He noted that “the major importance of the workshop is to therefore achieve all aims, and with proper assessment of the situation, develop a roadmap that will help in proper confrontation of this climate problem”.
In his opening remarks, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry Mr . Bitrus Bako Nabasu said that the workshop will help to build important links among stakeholders that will help to enhance the capacity in acquiring environmentally sustainable technologies.
It will also support future investment, remove barriers and contribute to the diffusion of high priority technologies throughout key sectors of the national economy, he added.
According to Nabasu the inception workshop will also mark the formal inauguration of the Technology Needs Assessment National Team, with the oversight function of producing the Technology Needs Assessment Country’s Report and eventual implementation of the report through the development, transfer and diffusion of project pilots in the identified sectors of the economy,
The representative of United Nations Industrial Development Organization, UNIDO, Dr. Reuben Bamidele, assured that UNIDO will be available to provide support to the government during the technology needs assessment process and in developing roadmap and strategy for climate change technology management in Nigeria.