The Senate today deliberated extensively on several measures to address the menace of climate change, with a view to achieving a sustainable future for the country.

Leading the debate on the Climate Change Bill, during plenary, Senator Isah Misau, representing Bauchi Central, said that if passed into law, the bill would set targets to achieve a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions within Nigeria, as well as promote the use of renewable sources of energy.

Senator Isah said further that “it would promote business and community understanding about issues surrounding climate change, and facilitate the early development of different policies and programmes that could address it.”

Senator Sabi Abdullahi, representing Niger North, speaking for the bill, posited that Nigeria needs such important bill to be passed now, and urged other senators to support it.

Senator Bukar Abubakar, representing Katsina North, in his contribution, explained that there is a need to look into alternative energy sources, citing the disappearance of charcoal. He urged the Federal Ministry of Environment to work more and ensure that Nigeria makes efforts regarding the issue of climate change.

Senator Ben Murray Bruce, representing Bayelsa State, lamented that the Nigerian Government has been looking at this issue for a long time but doing little or nothing about it. Counting himself out of those who contribute to the menace, Bruce said: “We are guilty of global warming except me. I drive an electric car. I don’t use petrol and I don’t destroy the environment. This is probably the most important bill in the Senate and all should support it.”

Concluding the debate on the bill, the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, opined that it is a good bill with great timing, adding that “it is best we domesticate decisions from international conferences we had attended.”

“Nigeria must catch up with what different nations have done regarding Climate Change,” Saraki said.

After the debate, the bill was referred to the Committee on Environment, Ecology and Climate Change for further legislative input.

•Photo shows the Senate in session.

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