A network of over 300 civil society organisations under the aegies of Climate and Sustainable Development Network (CSDevNet), the Nigeria Civil Society Framework on Paris Agreement and the SDGs (NCSFPAS), and the Pan African Climate Justice Alliance (PACJA) have called for a just, Green Recovery Deal that can tackle all the aftermath of COVID-19.
The CSO’s made the call in an online survey conducted by CSDevNet.
They said that it is difficult to determine how serious a threat the covid-19 virus poses in Nigeria because much about it remains uncertain regarding an increasing number of people especially its infectiousness, fatality rate, and transmission patterns.
They also noted that Paradigms are shifting fast across Nigeria as the crises of COVID-19 and health breakdown, insecurity, food insecurity, hunger and threat to food chain, job, business and contract losses begin to take a grip.
Increasing illiteracy, economic inequality, climate change, epileptic power and transport system, racial injustice, sexual assault and domestic violence are also hitting us, all at the same time.
It would be recalled that sequel to the above crises in Nigeria and the health and economic emergencies caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, President Muhammadu Buhari had established the Economic Sustainability Committee (ESC) on March 30, 2020 under the leadership of Vice President Prof. Yemi Osinbajo.
“The plan is to, amongst other things, develop a clear economic sustainable response to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and economic downturn arising from falling oil prices.
“As the ESC team prepares to launch unprecedented stimulus and recovery package, it is our belief that this historic moment calls for a different, and equally unprecedented response,’’ the CSO’s prayed.
According to Mr Pius OKO, CSDevNet Project Officer, `we need investment opportunities and jobs in our communities, healthcare, better housing, greener transport, social care and dignified livelihoods.
“We demand scale up of climate smart agriculture as enshrined in Nigeria’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) to the Paris Agreement and policy review.
“Reform and re-alignment, clean and renewable energy, strategic partnership and collaboration with CSOs, developmental partners, multilateral development banks and finance institutions and effective coordination, monitoring, enforcement and evaluation of policies.
Oko said they should be an increased funding to the Health and Production of vaccines, Smart Agricultural, Education and artificial intelligence, Energy, Science and Technology sectors in the national, states and local government budgets.
“Nigerians deserve social accountability; invest public money in a safe and just recovery for us all. We demand justice for the Nigeria citizens. It’s our money, our lives and our future that matter,’’ Oko added.
Barau Zozo Jawal, Deputy Executive Director of Keep Bauchi Clean Initiative while speaking said that Bioenergy production from waste through aerobic composting, and anaerobic digestion is an important area Nigeria should look into.
“On Pollution control, we hereby, encourage government and individuals to reduce or eliminate the release of pollutants into the environment, dumping of waste appropriately by providing proper waste sites at every ward.
“Waste to wealth production should be part of the Federal Government’s COVID-19 Green Recovery and Economic Sustainability target; this is in energy production (bio-energy), for Health and planting of more trees to ease our breathing and clean air which adds to healthy living.
According to Jacob Ibrahim, Dengula Farms and Agro-processing Firm, Adamawa State, `government should provide small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) policy, soft loans, grants to serve as an important repository response in this time and coming out of the COVID-19 crisis.
“Essential products and services should be given special tag to ensure business continuity in this tumultuous time to guide law enforcement agency and ensure manufacturing, supply or provision of an essential good or service’’.
Mr Nwana Emeka, the Project Director for Connecting Peace Initiative, Rivers State said the government efforts should be channeled to tree planting and monitor it for transparency, enforce of law on recycling, involving every citizen, ban single use plastics and taking responsibility for setting up plants for recycling to curtail waste and city pollution.
Mrs Iyanu Oluwa, Achievers Innovative Advocates International Foundation added that government should provide rapid response for sustainable food production by supporting farmers in the rural communities at this period to plant food crops which will be subsistent for consumption.
“They should also support more youths and women as main drivers of rural economies and in its economic growth plan towards agriculture across the country with subsidies, mechanised equipment and grants.
Dr Mrs ERIS JEWO IBI, Executive Director of Working Fingers Int’l Initiative emphasised that Post COVID-19 green recovery programs should focus on poverty, health and unemployment and grassroot organisations should be engaged to drive process because during the lockdown NGOs, FBOs and CBOs were closest to the people and attended to them.
Ebulue Chijioke, Next Generation Foundation for Climate Change Africa enjoined government to identify and work with NGOs generating and making available efficient clean energy such as solar powered rural street lights and home settlements.
From Vanguard Media, Mr. Godwin Oritse suggested that the government should rejig its agricultural policy with a view to ensuring that there is food security.
Mr Lucky Abeng, CSDevNet Admin and Logistic Officer, called on government to put in place robust agricultural policies reforms to encourage greater participation of Nigerians in agricultural ventures as a way of making the country food sufficient.
“They should also pay more attention in building the capacity of farmers in climate smart agriculture to increase food production, and partner more with Civil Society Organisations to reach more citizens with agricultural opportunities’’.
Dr Uzodinma Adirieje, President of the Society for Conservation and Sustainability of Energy and Environment in Nigeria (SOCSEEN) said that the Green recovery should focus on Promotion of Universal Access to Renewable Energy in Nigerian Communities with emphasis on rural communities.
Mrs Omidiji Bolanle, Peace Heritage Foundation enjoined Government to invites CSOs/NGOs and stakeholders for brainstorming on way forward on all sectors for Sustainable development.
Oluwabukola Olatunji, Executive Director CEDARS for Human Welfare emphasised that government should actively respond to alleviating the poverty rate, create or cushion the effects of unemployment like creating GRANTS, SOFT LOANS to interested young people for establishing enterprise.
Toyin Oshaniwa, Founder Toyin Oshaniwa foundation added the ESC Policy action should focus towards full mainstreaming of Environmental Education and Environmental Management Plans that cover WASH into both public and private space as one of essential road maps to Green Recovery Solution.
“COVID 19 pandemic experience has demonstrated that we need nature, nature can recover fully with or without the help of man, and thus, Green Recovery Solution should be Nature Based Solutions.
Idowu Olanipekun, Centre for Development & Protection (CEDEP) Executive Director called on the government to wake up to their responsibilities to complement the robust efforts of our NGOs/CSOs/CBOs in different sectors.
Loretta Ahuokpeme, Head of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Initiative Rivers state added that the government should encourage tree planting to absorb all the carbon for cleaner and green environment and enforce environmental laws to stop pollution as green recovery plans.
Foundation for Family Values and Health Orientation and Empowerment Executive Director, Mr. Uche Uchenna, FCT emphasised on the need to reduce Poverty, the government has to support small and medium enterprises (SMEs) through provision of Cash Transfer (capital), training of youths and women on vocational skills.
“Increase allocation to health for training of medical personnel, acquiring of equipment and supporting rural health centers with increased sensitization on COVID-19.
CSDevNet Advocacy/Stakeholder Engagement Manager, Mr Abuh called on government and private sector to invest massively on collections and recycling of solid wastes, as this will not only make the environment safe, but will as well create jobs.
Tree planting programs should be instituted across all levels of our Government and increase investment in clean transport as green recovery plans.
Echemokan, Cross River REDD+ Team called for systematic capacity building and strengthening of smallholder farmers farming farming systems and subsidize simple techniques and innovation to replace the crude methods of rural farming and encourage smart Agriculture especially amongst vulnerable groups, like women, grassroots, and rural dwellers.
Vickie Uremma Onyekuru, Child Health Organization (CHO), Program Director suggested Green Recovery to create health benefits to tackle climate change, loss of biodiversity, pollution and inequality.
“These include resourcing health services, essential public services and ensuring access for all. Recovery plans must therefore ensure people’s well-being is at the heart of the crisis response and protection of workers’ rights through a “just transition for all” that leaves no one behind’’.
Mr Nwafor Nnanna Nelson, Foundation for Environmental Rights Advocacy and Development Nigeria Executive Director said the ESC should focus on policy formulation to address the gaps, increase budgetary allocation to the environment, increase private /public participation in the sector, increase investment in Renewable Energy and Gas sufficiency revitalization of moribund industries to increase productivity that will create Employment.
