President Goodluck Jonathan has described desertification as one of the greatest environmental and developmental problems of the 21st century, which can trigger a vicious circle of environmental degradation, impoverishment, forced migration and conflicts, posing great threat to the political stability of countries and regions it affect.
The president expressed the concern on Tuesday at the Presidential Flag–Off of the Great Green Wall initiative in Bachaka, Kebbi State.
The president stated at the occasion that the phenomenon of desertification must be effectively battled. He highlighted the worst hit states in Nigeria as Adamawa, Borno, Bauchi, Gombe, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Jigawa, Sokoto, Yobe and Zamfara, saying that waging an effective fight against the spread of desertification is one of the greatest challenges in development politics today.
Jonathan said the Nigeria component of the Great Green Wall (GGW) Programme marks a turning point in Africa’s collective quest to conserve and manage its environment and improve the living conditions of its people.
He approved the establishment of an Agency of the Great Green Wall (GGW), pointing out also that other necessary institutional framework, including a National Council on Afforestation and Shelterbelt chaired by the Vice President, to pilot the process, and advice government on the initiative have been put in place to ensure its smooth running. A National Technical Committee under the supervision of the Hon. Minister of Environment, will provide technical back-up to the Council.
Jonathan applauded former President Olusegun Obasanjo for being one of the champions of the idea which was proposed for the Sahara Initiative in 2005.
The initiative ― conceived as a means of halting the movement of the Sahara desert southward, protecting water sources and restoring habitats for biodiversity, energy resources and agricultural production ― was launched in 2006 in Abuja and in 2007, the African Union endorsed the Great Green Wall for the Sahara and the Sahel Initiative with the objective of tackling the detrimental social, economic and environmental impacts of land degradation and desertification in prone sections of the continent.
The innovation was further developed by the African Union (AU), through its New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD), the Programme was conceived as a 15 km wide strip of trees and bushes of some 7,775 km long, from Senegal, in the west to Djibouti in the Horn of Africa in the east. The belt is expected to pass through eleven countries, including Nigeria.
The president in his speech noted that the Regional Afforestation Project, the Great Green Wall Sahara Project has already taken off in some member countries notably Senegal, Chad and Niger.
“To this end, a Great Green Wall of about 1,500km-long (East-West) and 2km-wide (North-South), using both economic and forest tree species to be based on community-driven, integrated rural development approach was agreed for the Nigeria segment.” Jonathan said.
“The idea is that the project will principally check the advancement of desertification and erosion as well as restore eco-balance even as it creates sustainable jobs for thousands of our youths who are without jobs.”
He held that the initiative is an a great avenue for job creation and a means of advancing the country’s vision of a green pathway for human development, which will at the same time address new and emerging environmental challenges in the country.
“The Great Green Wall Programme is an expression of our commitment for enhanced environmental management, and thus overcome the problems of desertification. It is a strategy adapted by African leaders supported by the international community and development partners, to fast track the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), roll back poverty and address the specific risks and vulnerabilities in our dry lands,” the president said.
Our desire to enhance the economic transformation of our great nation, and improve the livelihoods of the citizenry requires that we address the risks and vulnerabilities in the drought and desertification affected States. This is what we intend to achieve by coming together to implement this programme.
“The project will also help reduce unemployment and rehabilitate over 2 million hectares of degraded land and improve agricultural productivity.”
He further revealed that on a global scale, the country’s component of the GGW programme will serve as a launching pad for achieving Zero Net Land Degradation target as agreed by World Leaders at the last Rio+20 Conference in Brazil.
“We are committed to achieving the target we agreed in Rio and also implement the resolutions adopted by country Parties to the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), which Nigeria ratified in 1997,” he assured.
“Over the years, the Federal Government has successfully brought the issues of drought and desertification to the front burner of the country’s development agenda. Various actions and programs have been implemented in the Country to combat desertification and ameliorate the impacts of drought.”
He said although, there are no easy solutions for reducing the phenomena of land degradation and depletion of resources, the nation and stakeholders in the sector must be determined to work together to achieve tackle it head on.
“Consequently, we will continue to strengthen the participatory approach by involving our local communities in all our interventions as well as improve communication with our partners at all levels. We all must work together,” Jonathan added.
“On the part of the Federal Government, we are determined to deliver this programme to the people of Nigeria, so the region would move quicker towards peace and sustainable development. I call on the affected States to commit commensurate resources, including their part of the ecological fund, to this noble course.”
He urged Governors to ensure that the land required is made available on time and that the affected communities are adequately sensitised to enable them actively participate and subsequently own the Programme. Furthermore, I invite our development partners, as a matter of priority, to key into the programme, in the spirit of the Convention.
He congratulated the government and good people of Kebbi State, in particular the people of Bachaka community, for being among the first to participate in the programme, saying he looks forward to the participation of other states and communities in the green belt area as it is a sign of great things to come.
