Odey, Imoke underscore REDD values to Nigeria

The Federal Government has underlined the importance of Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+) programme as a responsive measure to mitigate climate change effects.

Environment Minister, John Odey, said recently in Cancun, Mexico at a side event on Governors’ Climate and Forests (GCF) task force cooperation among sub-national governments and NGOs on REDD+ during the United Nations Climate Change Conference that ended on Saturday. REDD is an effort by UNFCCC to create a  financial value for the carbon stored in forests, offering  incentive for developing countries to reduce emissions from forested lands and invest in low-carbon paths to sustainable  development. It also entails the role of conservation, sustainable management of forests and enhancement of forest carbon stock. Odey said Nigeria was fully committed to its development and implementation, adding that REDD+ has been mainstreamed into the nation’s development agenda. “Government has established the governance structures for REDD+ in Nigeria including the National Technical Committee and the National Advisory Council on REDD+. “The Technical Committee is charged with the responsibility of overseeing the development of a National REDD readiness programme. “This is with a view to establish a framework for REDD at both the Federal and the State level,” he said. The minister underlined the need for the nation to key in the GCF initiative which aims to build the capacity of states to develop frameworks for the implementation of REDD. He stressed that strong capacity at the state and community levels would be necessary for the realisation of a strong and viable national REDD+ programme. He emphasised that REDD+ was a key instrument for countries in Africa to mitigate and adapt to climate change. In an address, governor of Cross River State, Liyel Imoke, called for early investment in REDD+ through international and innovative partnerships. He said that Cross River State would ensure that the REDD+ programme succeeded in delivering tangible benefits to the state in particular and the country in general.