President Muhammadu Buhari has reassured the United Nations of his government’s unflinching commitment to the implementation of the United Nations Environmental Programme’s recommendations for the clean-up of the Niger Delta, particularly Ogoniland damaged by adverse effect of crude oil spillage.
Buhari spoke during his visit to the United Nations Office in Nairobi, the Kenyan capital.
The President however solicited for support from the United Nations in his administration’s efforts to clean up the region.
According to Buhari, “When I came into office on 29th May 2015, one of the first tasks I carried out was to authorise the implementation of the recommendations of the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) for the clean-up of Ogoni land.
“The devastation caused by oil spillage has destroyed many lives and livelihoods and is clearly one of the reasons why many people in that region lost faith in Government and resorted to the many criminal activities we are seeing in the region today.
“The action our government took to implement UNEP’s recommendations has given the indigenes of the region hope that there are better days ahead.
“Let me, therefore, express appreciation on behalf of the Government of Nigeria to UNEP and other development partners for their cooperation and support on this very delicate matter and also request for their continued support as we implement the recommendations and transform the fortunes of the region,” President Buhari said.
“In our effort to promote the sustainable urbanization in Africa, the Federal Government of Nigeria funded and anchored the Africa Urban Agenda (AUA) programme in partnership with the UN-Habitat.
“The Programme aims to enhance engagements between state and non-state actors to build consensus around identified urban development priorities and amplify Africa’s voice at the global level towards HABITAT III.
“The Africa Urban Agenda will culminate in a major conference of African Ministers of Housing where numerous issues will be discussed.
“I am pleased to announce that this conference will be hosted by Nigeria in Abuja next month and I look forward to meeting and deliberating with you, and other stakeholders on this very important topic,” the President said.
STATEHO– USE (Office of The President)
