President Goodluck Jonathan on Tuesday says Environment has a key role to play in the nation’s global geo-politics as `Eco-Diplomacy’ shall be one of the priority areas of the country’s foreign policy thrusts.
Jonathan stated this in Abuja at the 5th National Stakeholders’ Forum on the New Institutional Mechanism for Environmental Protection and Sustainable Development in Nigeria.
The president, who was represented by Vice-President Namadi Sambo, reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to honour all environmental conventions, treaties and protocols to which Nigeria was a signatory.
“Eco-diplomacy shall be one of the new priority areas of our foreign policy,’’ he said.
“As we review our national foreign policy, environment has a key role to play in our sub-regional, regional and global geo-politics.
According to him, as the nation continues to support global efforts to protect the environment and achieve sustainable development, Nigeria must always ensure that national interests and priorities are uppermost in all debates and negotiations.
On NESREA, the president enjoined all organisations and individuals to work closely with NESREA and to support the agency in ensuring a cleaner and healthier environment for Nigerians.
He commended the agency for developing 24 environmental regulations and for reviewing the National Environmental Audit Guidelines through participatory process.
“We must all join hands with the government in promoting the rule of law and environmental governance so that we can achieve environmental protection and sustainable development in Nigeria.
“I am happy to note that, to date, NESREA has developed 24 environmental regulations and reviewed the National Environmental Audit Guidelines through participatory process.
“This is a good example of environmental governance. It is a remarkable achievement for an organisation that started barely five years ago.’’
He, however, charged the agency to ensure full implementation of the provisions of the law.
According to him, a law or regulation that is not obeyed or enforced is as good as not made.
“We must obey the laws. All sectors of our economy must obey the laws. Nobody or institution is above the law,’’ he warned.
The president implored all Nigerians to join hands with the government to protect the environment and to ensure sustainable development of the country.
Goodwill messages were delivered by Chairmen, Senate and House Committees on Environment and Ecology as well as development partners, while Prof. Niyi Osuntogun delivered a lead paper entitled: “Environmental Governance: A key to Environmental Protection and Sustainable Economic Development in Nigeria.’’