Nigeria: Country to Become Full Member of REDD

United Nations (UN) committee on Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+) said Nigeria is now ripe to become a full-fledged member of the programme because it has made commendable progress to assume full membership.

United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Regional Advisor West and Central Africa, Josep A. Gari, said Nigeria would assume the status of full membership from being observers in the programme.

This according to him would enable the country to benefit from the REDD+ programme assistance to countries impacted by climate change.

He said, "Nigeria has shown a high level of commitment and the REDD team has agreed to allow it become a full-fledged member, this would help in the programme advancement."

"In six months, Nigeria would participate in the negotiations to become full members. REDD+ in Nigeria would influence other neighbouring African countries positively," he added.

Minister of Environment John Odey, said Nigeria had set up technical committee on REDD at various levels to enable it become a full member of the programme.

He however expresses dissatisfaction with the difficulty of getting assistance from the programme to reduce impacts of climate change which he said "is largely caused by the developed countries."

"REDD is critical to mitigating climate change impact in Nigeria but we feel the programme is not sincere when it comes to financial assistance," he said