Climate Change Act will protect the environment _ Speaker

Speaker of the Nigerian House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila has said the Climate Change Act recently passed and assented to by President Buhari would facilitate the protection of the environment for posterity.

Gbajabiamila was speaking in Abuja during a presentation of award of excellence to Mr. Sam Onuigbo, sponsor of the Act, by the House of Representatives Press Corps.

Mr. Gbajabiamila who commended Mr. Onuigbo for his doggedness said the act has placed Nigeria among the league of countries leading advocacy against climate change.

“I have always said it is not the number of bills but the quality of bills that are passed. The Climate Change bill is one of those bills that on the face of it nobody bothered to even try to understand but on closer examination and a proper understanding of what it entails, it is perhaps one of those life-changing bills, one of those bills that can affect each and every one of us for life. So, I would recommend that many of us do some research on the impact of climate change and how topical it is in the world today. It is a very significant bill,” the Speaker stressed.

Receiving the award tagged: The Dean of Bills/Most Dedicated Lawmaker of the Year 2021, Mr. Onuigbo said the move was part of a parliamentary contribution to achieving a healthy ecosystem.

While commending President Muhammadu Buhari for assenting to the bill, Mr. Onuigbo stressed the need for its implementation for Nigeria to reap its full benefits.

He said “The journey to Nigeria getting a climate change act was a long and tortuous one. I am happy that today, we have a climate change act that will guide Nigeria in her de-carbonation efforts ensure that we justly transit to net zero, bring requisite attention to the menace of climate change, provide funding for adaptation and mitigation measures including nature-based solutions, create employment for the teeming youth, help us on our journey towards green recovery, and ultimately ensure that we sustainably develop while preserving this earth for our children.”

In his remarks, the representative of the United States Embassy in Nigeria, Mr. Jackson Smith, emphasized the global significance of the Climate Change law, commending the National Assembly for achieving such a feat.

On her part, the Chairman of the Press Corps, Grace Ike, said while the press will continue to hold the lawmakers accountable, they recognize those who have promoted people-oriented legislations.

The Act was aimed at reducing gas emissions to achieve a net-zero and safer World.