The Federal Ministry of Niger Delta and the implementers of the living lab in Nigeria, Green Sahara Farms have commenced plans to establish a living lab for nature and people in the Niger Delta in a bid to find a balance between human needs and nature.”
The aim is to transit from a fossil-based linear economy to a circular bio-economy with landscape restoration as a foundation and in the case of the Niger Delta, the restoration of mangrove plantations would be the foundation for the transition.
The living lab will also focus on the usage of renewable natural resources instead of petrochemicals which cause damage to the environment as a base resource in agroforestry, medicine, housing,bio-fertilizers, biopharmaceuticals.”
The minister of State Niger Delta, Sharon ikeaIor, drew attention to divestment by major oil companies in the Niger Delta to invest in sustainable ventures.
She lamented that the devastation caused by the activities of oil companies in the Niger Delta has caused loss of livelihoods and other social and economic problems.
“Today, environmental degradation is not the problem of the Niger Delta or Nigeria but a global problem which affects everyone on earth. The recent global climate-related calamities and the growth of investment in alternative and renewable energy It is important the Niger Delta is prepared for life after oil.”
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The Minister stressed that partnerships like this which have the community at the centre of economic restoration of the devastated landscape will provide a more sustainable source of livelihood to the citizens of the Delta.
The founder/CEO of Green Sahara farms Suleiman Dikwa noted that for the first time in History there is an alignment of interest between the west and the underdeveloped world as the activities of a rural fisherman affects the life of the residents of Seoul, New York Paris, Tokyo etc.
He stressed that everyone has agreed that conservation is no longer sustainable but to adapt business models which create sustainable economic activities while restoring landscapes.
Dikwa explained that the CBA had developed a holistic approach to reimagine and develop an economy built on landscape restoration from housing biopharmaceuticals, bioenergy, and biofertilizers for regenerative agriculture, and aesthetic and spiritual harmony.
Also speaking at the occasion the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Mr Olufunso Adebiyi, stressed the need for the ministry to develop competencies in climate adaptation economic models with a view to meeting the SDGs target as a core function of the ministry.
It provides an alternative source of financing sustainable development in the Niger Delta and opens a more sustainable approach to climate action in the Niger Delta.
The Director of Economic Development in the Ministry Mr Patrick Nyamo’ stated that the ministry has various social programs that they could not execute due to lack of funds and finding a synergy between social, economic and environmental objectives will enable an alternative source of financing social and environmental challenges sustainably and prepare the Niger Delta for life after oil.