Sufuyan Ojeifo
12 August 2008
Abuja — Senate Committee on Environment and Ecology has advocated the scrapping of Ecological Fund Office, saying it had outlived its usefulness.
In its place, the Committee wants the Senate to approve creation of a new National Ecological Agency, which would be saddled with the responsibility of taking charge of ecological problems and improving the Fund management.
The Committee, in its annual report to the Senate, observed that the Ecological Fund and Ecological Fund Office were not under the jurisdiction of the Federal Ministry of Environment, Housing and Urban Development.
According to the report of the Committee headed by Senator Grace Bent, there is need to move the Fund under the supervision of the Ministry, to enable it carry out its duties effectively and efficiently.
Already, a bill for an Act to set up the National Ecological Agency that would replace the Ecological Fund Office, had been presented to the Senate and taken through the second reading and referred to relevant committee for further processing, preparatory to third reading.
The Committee on Environment and Ecology, which is processing the bill, is perfecting plans for a public hearing, with a view to aggregating input of experts and public/stakeholders into the bill.
The Committee, in the 24-page annual report to the Senate, said "environment has become a global issue and occupies the front burner," adding that by all indicators, environmental deterioration has grown worldwide.
"The fact remains that there is need to build institutional and legal framework necessary for professionals and citizens to work towards environmental sustainability worldwide, while efforts should be made at improving the state of the Nigerian environment," she said.
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