NGO urges inclusion of “Green Climate Blueprint” in political manifestoes

Tue, Sep 18, 2018 | By publisher


Politics

A non-governmental organisation, Ambassadors of Dialogue, Climate and Reintegration, on Tuesday advised political aspirants vying for different political offices to include “Green Climate Blueprint” in their manifestoes.

Mr Richard Inyamkume, the Executive Director of the organisation, gave the advice in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.

“As elections draw near, the citizens’ spirits are quite high and a lot of aspirants are running for elective positions at different levels.

“As usual, politicians do present manifestoes containing their plans for economic and infrastructural transformation without necessarily giving highlights on green climate and environmental sustainability.

“I wish to state that Nigeria needs emerging leaders who will present holistic manifestoes to cover economic revival strategies, infrastructural development and climate or environmental sustainability,’’ he said.

Inyamkume said that whenever the country’s leaders embraced such a culture, the citizens would be able to live in cleaner and healthier communities that were free of pollution and filth.

“Most of us know that our major problem as a nation is the lack of political will to implement better policies and laws that aim to enhance the citizens’ standards of living.

“The truth is that if we fail to act now, our planet will remain unsafe for our children and generations to come,’’ he added.

The executive director said that pragmatic efforts should be made to invite politicians to join the eco-train that would promote sustainable mobility, clean energy, climate-smart agriculture, green conservation and circular economy in Nigeria.

Inyamkume added that the adoption of such a strategy would promote better production modes, waste reuse and recycling, among others.

“Let’s put issues concerning our climate and environment first so as to ensure that our common home is safe.

“There can be no sound politicking, economy and infrastructure within an unfavourable climate. That, therefore, explains the need to include green climate blueprints in political manifestos ahead of 2019 general elections.

“So, if you are a political aspirant and you do not have a green blueprint to strengthen your position; kindly prepare one as soon as possible or stand to lose in the coming election,’’ he said.

Inyamkume, who advocated the adoption of a “no green blueprint, no vote approach’’ in the lead-up to the 2019 elections, also called on the leaders and citizens to promote the evolution of a green climate in Nigeria so as to promote a sustainable future in the country.

He reiterated the need for the inclusion of pragmatic plans on green climate and environmental sustainability in the programmes and manifestoes “or else some political candidates may turn out to be discredited by the masses.

“It is shocking to know that Nigeria is gradually turning into a filthy place where waste management is virtually nonexistent, while communities face multiple environmental disasters and health challenges that are attributable to improper waste disposal.

“Our cities are constantly polluted by gas emissions emanating from inefficient transport and industrial systems.

“Other domestic activities contribute to increasing the greenhouse effect that warms our environment, making it almost uninhabitable,’’ Inyamkume added. (NAN)

– Sept. 18, 2018 @ 16:35 GMT |

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