We’ll collaborate with AUDA-NEPAD, Spades on carbon emission reduction—Gov. Bello of Niger
By Abolade Ogundimu
November 30, 2022
We are ready to work with African Union Development Agency-New Partnership for Africa’s Development (AUDA-NEPAD) Nigeria and Spades Trees on reduction of carbon emission, especially in a profitable way says Governor Abubakar Sani Bello, Executive Governor of Niger State.
Gov. Bello Made this known when he received the AUDA-NEPAD Nigeria CEO, Princess Gloria Akobundu, fsi and Some Private investors from Spades Tree who paid him a courtesy visit at the Niger State Lodge, Abuja on November 29.
In line with the Agency’s commitment to land restoration and food security in the Country, AUDA-NEPAD Nigeria is synergizing with local and foreign stakeholders including Spades, international investors in tree planting for the reduction of carbon emmission.
According to Bello, there is urgent need to reverse the pace of desert encroachment in the state and across the country by planting trees that are of economic benefit to the people for project sustainability
“Deforestation and desert encroachment have got to alarming rate in the country, therefore, solutions must be urgently deployed.
“Most cases of insecurity and clashes between farmers and herders are not unrelated to impact of climate change.
“Many rivers are drying up, including River Niger which used to be a major transportation channel within West Africa but now receding significantly, there is need to act fast.
“It is pleasant to have a carbon emission solution that comes with financial motivation to the locals for planting and growing trees, they will surely be ready to work more than expected,” he said.
The governor commended Princess Akobundu. fsi, and her team for initiating the Innovative Strengthening of Smallholder Farmers programme which will transform the economic fortune of the farmers.
Earlier in her address, Akobundu intimated the Governor about the link between the tree planting programme and the AUDA-NEPAD Initiative to Strengthen smallholder Farmers Capabilities towards lands restoration,productitivity amid COVID-19 Pabdemic.
“The commitment of AUDA-NEPAD Nigeria towards realizing African Union Agenda 2063-`Africa We Want` has again been proven.
“We know that if Nigeria gets it right, Africa will surely gets it right.
“That is why we are here with `Spades’ to discuss how Niger state can further harness its large potential of vast land for global carbon reduction initiative.
“As the Agency at the forefront of the implementation of Smallholder Farmers Initiative Programme in Nigeria, with well established structures across tiers of government, we are ready to work with Niger state on the carbon reduction programme.
“This programme is planned to be mutually rewarding to the state government, the local people, the investors as well mother-nature.
We are here with the investors, Spades, who will also shed more light on the project,” she said.
Akobundu commended Governor Bello for the effective synergy between the state and AUDA-NEPAD since his assumption of duty.
It will be recalled that AUDA-NEPAD Nigeria has state coordinators, Desk Officers and Focal Points at Federal, State and Local government levels as well as Ministries, Departments and Agencies.
In his remarks, Dr. Ray Menard, Chief Executive Officer, Spades, expressed his delight to meet with the Governor and his team on the tree planting programme, listing its benefits to the state.
“The programme will accelerate land restoration while also boosting food security in the country.
“Also through the programme, local farmers will benefit directly from the project by getting paid for growing and nurturing the trees,” he said.
Menard also hinted about $2billion had been earmarked for the programme, if all stakeholders were ready to come onboard.
The courtesy call was paid by Menard and Ms Joy Hazucha on the side of Spades while Princess Akobundu was accompanied by Messrs Amadou Diakite and Ben Uche, Maxwell Zaccheus and Mohammed Bello Argungu of AUDA-NEPAD Coordinating Secretariat and Nigeria Office.
They were received by Governor Bello, supported by Hon. Yusuf Mohammed Gunu, State Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development.
The date for further meeting on the proposal is expected to be fixed among the parties on a later date.