Investing in environment sector will enhance economic recovery —Jubril

With proper harnessing and leveraging on our natural resources the root of our economic recovery will be faster when we consciously support the green economy by investing in the environment sector to increase other sources of revenue in the Nigeria economy.

These were the words of the Minister of State, Ibrahim Usman Jibril ahead of the 11th National Council on Environment (NCE).

The NCE which is currently ongoing at the June 12 Cultural Centre, Abeokuta, Ogun State is the highest policy making body on the Environment sector which facilitate intergovernmental deliberations and guides consultation on Environment issues at all levels of government.

The minister in his pre-press briefing stated that “Arising from the challenges occasioned by the recent economic recession experienced in the country which is largely due to the nation’s reliance on oil as a single foreign exchange earner, this administration is seeking to diversify the economy by unlocking the opportunities in the environment sector.

“It is in light of this that theme for this year’s National Council for Environment ‘Unlocking the Investment opportunities in the Environment sector towards Nigeria’s Economic Recovery, Diversification Growth and Sustainable Development’ is quite apt in view of the policy thrust of this government.”

Jubril stated that the green economy had become a veritable tool for economic development globally, adding that Nigeria needed to leverage on opportunities in the environment sector.

“With proper harnessing and leveraging on our natural resources the root of our economic recovery will be faster when we consciously support the green economy by investing in the environment sector to increase other sources of revenue in the Nigeria economy. These opportunities include repositioning of the National Agency for Great Green Wall (GGW), Environment Sound of Chemicals Management, Watershed Management, Renewable Energy, Eco-Tourism, Green Bond, Afforestation/Reforestation, Implementation of the UNEP Report and the Hydrocarbon Pollution remediation Project.

“Since my assumption in office, we have vigorously pursued and sensitized the Nigerian citizens towards going green and achieving toxic-free environment. It is my sincere wish that after this National Council meeting that the decisions reached will be such that is capable of re-engineering the sector to expand the frontiers to meaningfully contribute to a speedy economic recovery,” the minister stated.