From Ndubuisi Orji, Abuja
Speaker, House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara has called on Nigerians to shun activities that endangered the environment, so as to minimise effects of climate change in the country.
Dogara made the call when he opened a two-day public hearing on six bills by the House Committee on Environment and Habitat.
The bills seek to amend the National Environmental Standards Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) Act, among others.
The speaker, who was represented by the Deputy Minority Leader, Chukwuka Onyema, expressed concern over recent flooding in some parts of the country and noted that there must be concerted efforts to save the country from environmental devastation.
Dogara added that harmful practises against the environment, including oil spillage, discharge of untreated effluents into the canals, rivers and gas flaring, must not be allowed to continue indefinitely.
“We cannot continue to pretend that this does not affect our environment, our health and lives.Nigeria as a nation cannot afford to continue with this business as usual attitude to forestclearing or deforestation. The effect of climate change is real and its consequences are severe and we must do our utmost best not to exacerbate it. Setting standard, ethical codes of conduct and professionalising every segment of environmental practices is very apt and is therefore at the very heart of the sustainability of our lives.
“We, as a nation, need to key into building capacities and the competencies in every aspect ofenvironmental management, be it green or brown.”
“Those who cause malicious and harmful damage to our environment must be made to bear the brunt of the law; it is now criminal to stand aloof and do nothing while our environment is deliberately being destroyed,’’
Speaking earlier, Chairman of the Committee, Hon Obinna Chidoka said environmental devastation is affecting the country adversely.
He said apart from causing a dislocation in the economy, environmental devastation poses great health challenges to the citizens.
He said the bills are part of efforts by the House to save the environement.
According to him, “the House of Representatives has come to the conclusion that the actions or inactions which are fast destroying our environment have to stop. If not we will have no place to run to very soon.’