Minister for Environment, Sharon Ikeazor has said the Federal Government of Nigeria has demonstrated its commitment to a land reclamation programme aimed at fighting climate change.
She also pointed out that commitment of the government could be seen in the Ogoni cleanup programme guided by the United Nation for Environment Programme report being acted upon by the federal government.
The minister said this at a press briefing in Abuja, where she shared the progress of the ministry, in fighting climate change, at a meeting with Editors.
Ikeazor said the Ogoni clean up continues with employment opportunities for the youths while the land is being remediated for gainful use by the communities besides the lots that have been completed and fully certified by National Oil Detection Spill and Remediation Agency (NSDRA).
He words: “An additional 29 lots were awarded for remediation of 8 sites in February 2020. The area covered is 289 acres.
“Six of these sites have been completed and certified by NOSDRA while two outstanding sites at Bdere and Ogale are above 60% completion of which we are accelerating.
“As of January 2022 bidding for additional 37 hydrocarbon impacted sites is in progress. The total volume of contaminated soil to be remediated is 5,354,766 cubic meters over an area of about 314 acres.
“The impacts of the remediation effort have produced remarkable employment and livelihood opportunities among Ogoni youths. So far, a total of one thousand three hundred and thirty-seven (1,337) persons have been trained, employed, and earned income to support their livelihood, thereby enhancing the local economy.”
Ikeazor continued that, the ministry has reclaimed a large expanse of land from the encroachment of desertification through assorted tree planting that stretched over 1,000km.
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Her words: “The National Agency of the Great Green Wall has made progress in land restoration with the establishment of several plantations for Shelterbelts.
She said the plantation of various trees of the Shelterbelt reached: “1,428.9km covering 4,286ha, Woodlots of 1,172.2ha, Orchards of 699ha, Gum Arabic in 600ha, indigenous tree species in 705ha.
Ikeazor said the programme ensured that it also “Implemented FAO/EU Action Against Desertification (AAD) Programme in Bauchi Jigawa and the Sokoto States covering 2,240 ha.
“For Rural Infrastructure and livelihoods, NAGGW trained 275 farmers in climate-smart agriculture, constructed Solar boreholes 232 and trained several women in various skills and employed 1,397 Forest Guards.
“We will continue to pursue rangeland restoration and development to reduce farmers- herders’ conflict and enhance livestock production in line with Government Policy and continuous training and capacity building of local communities on natural resources management.
We would be collaborating with development partners to support:
“Promotion of African Market Garden (AMG) for Improved Livelihood and Poverty Reduction in Nigerian Dry Lands.
“Integrated dry lands Ecosystem Rehabilitation, Regeneration and Conservation to support the GGWI in Nigeria.
“Promotion of Non-Timber Product Value Chain Development in Drylands Areas of Nigeria;
“Fish Farming Business to Enhance the Socio-Economic Conditions of Rural Communities.
“We are working with state governments and communities to accelerate GGWI in Nigeria,” she stated.
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