NASS, NigeriaCan seek president’s assent to climate change bill

Laide Akinboade

Members of the National Assembly and civil society groups under the aegis of Nigeria Climate Action Network have urged President Goodluck Jonathan to sign the Climate Change bill into law as a matter of urgency.

Chairman Senate Committee on Environment, Senator Grace Bent, stated that Climate Change is a potential threat to the socio-economic development of Nigeria.

According to her, “The issue of climate change is a potential threat to the economy of this country and thank God the president is also from Niger Delta where the impact of environmental degradation is highly felt, so we implore him to sign this bill into law.”

Also speaking at the briefing, the Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Climate Change, Mr Eziuche Ubani said that “Climate change represents a clear and present danger to Nigeria’s national interests. By signing the bill, the President will continue to demonstrate visionary leadership in addressing the climate crisis ”.

The Coordinator, Nigeria Climate Action Network, Mr. Ewah Eleri, regretted that the bill which was forwarded to President Jonathan since December 2010, is yet to be signed into law by the President.

It would be recalled, the Bill to Establish a National Climate Change Commission was first introduced to the National Assembly in 2008. It was passed by both Houses of the National Assembly and transmitted to the Presidency on December 9, 2010 for assent.