FG tasks Nigerian scientists on climate change

By Usman Shuaibu

The Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu has tasked the National Steering Committee On Technology Needs Assessment, TNA On Climate Change to come out with practicable solutions that will combat the challenges of desert and coastal encroachment in Nigeria.
Dr. Onu gave the challenge while declaring open the Inception Workshop on Technology Needs Assessment (TNA) for climate change mitigation and adaptation in Nigeria yesterday in Abuja.
He also called on research institutes across the country to apply Science, Technology and Innovation to address the challenges of climate change in the country.
According to a statement by AbdulGaniyu Aminu, Head (Press and Public Relations Unit) in the ministry yesterday, the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology is working closely with its Environment counterpart to work out solution and ensure that Nigeria is enabled to solve many problems associated with climate change.
.Dr. Onu cited herdsmen/farmer clashes as a fallout of climate change resulting from depleting arable land. He stressed the need to fight desert encroachment and other problems arising from depleting arable land because, according to him, “there will be nothing to present to the future generation”.
He cited China and Israel as countries that have been able to fight desertification by converting dry land to arable land, adding that they succeeded thereby in creating job opportunities and reduce poverty.
“climate change is not something to fear, rather we should confront it and utilize all science, technology and innovation applications to create opportunities for economic and social development”, Dr. Onu added.
He noted that “the major importance of the workshop is to therefore achieve all aims, and with proper assessment of the situation, develop a roadmap that will help in proper confrontation of this climate problem”.
In his opening remarks, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of science and Technology, Mr . Bitrus Bako Nabasu said that the workshop will help to build important links among stakeholders that will help to enhance the capacity in acquiring Environmentally Sustainable Technologies.
It will also support future investment, remove barriers and contribute to the diffusion of high priority technologies throughout key sectors of the national economy, he added.
According to Mr. Nabasu the inception workshop will also mark the formal inauguration of the Technology Needs Assessment National Team, with the oversight function of producing the Technology Needs Assessment Country’s Report and eventual implementation of the report through the development, transfer and diffusion of project pilots in the identified sectors of the economy,
The representative of United Nations Industrial Development Organization, UNIDO, Dr. Reuben Bamidele said that UNIDO will be available to provide support to the government of Nigeria during the Technology Needs assessment process and in developing roadmap and strategy for climate change technology management in Nigeria.