Onyebuchi Ezigbo
13 January 2009
Abuja — Federal Government has sought the assistance of the Japanese government in providing solution to gas flaring out in the country .
Minister of Environment, Mr. John Odey, made the call in Abuja when he received the Japanese Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Toshitsugu Uesawa, in his office at the weekend.
In a statement signed by the Special Assistant (Media) to the Minister, Mr.Rotimi Ajayi, the Minister called for the assistance of Japan in tackling the problem of gas flaring and other issues of environmental degradation in Nigeria.
At the moment, Nigeria appears to be in a fix in its efforts to achieve a zero gas flare-out target, having failed to actualise the 2008 deadline set for oil firms in the country.
According to the minister, the issues of environment had gained such urgency that nations of the world must collaborate in order to find sustainable solutions.
He noted that the issues of environment had been ignored all along in the developmental planning of the developing countries including Nigeria.
He however pointed out that the ouster of the problems of environment could be blamed on paucity of fund for development among the countries.
"I hope we can cooperate and collaborate here to create safe and better environment. The plank of this government as you are aware is the 7-Point Agenda and Vision 2020 through which we are to put Nigeria among the industrialised nations of the world.
"We shall be willing to open up discussions on environmental development between your country and relevant department here. Whatever assistance we can get will be welcome especially in the area of gas flaring, " he said.
The minister and the Japanese Ambassador expressed their willingness to collaborate in implementing a programme that would address the problems of evironmental degradation causing havoc in the country.
Under the initiative, expected to cover several sectors of the economy, including agricultural and industrial areas, Japan would provide funds and technical assistance to assist in tackling environmental pollution.
Uesawa stated that his team had come to intimate the Minister about the environmental development initiative of the government of Japan
According to him, Japan is implementing an international initiative, known as 'Cool Earth Initiative' estimated to cost about $10 billion, and is collaborating with the developing countries to tackle the problems of environmental degradation.
The Ambassador said that the initiatives will be comprehensive enough to cover several sectors including the agricultural and industrial sectors.
He noted that the through the initiative, Japan would also deliver technical assistance to the recipient nations to gain technology for tackling environmental problems.
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