The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, on Monday, disclosed that the Federal government funded 422 out of Nigeria’s 1,411-mmber delegation to the ongoing COP28 holding in Dubai, United Arab Emirate (UAE).
The minister’s revelation is coming on the heels of the outrage that trailed the large number of delegates attending the conference from Nigeria.
According to Idris, his clarification was hinged on the need to provide clarity in line with a standing pledge by the government to conduct itself with transparency and accessibility regarding public information.
The 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference or Conference of the Parties of the UNFCCC, more commonly referred to as COP28, is the 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference, being held from November 30 to December 12, 2023 at Expo City, Dubai.
The minister further said that Nigeria’s representation at the conference is in line with the nation’s status as Africa’s leading sovereign voice and player in climate action.
Contingents at the conference comprised private sector players, such as businesspeople, civil society organisations and delegates from Nigeria’s oil-producing Niger Delta region.
The delegation funded by the Federal government, according to the minister, consists of National Council on Climate Change -32 delegates; Federal Ministry of Environment -34; all ministries -167; Presidency -67; Office of the Vice President -9, National Assembly – 40, and federal parastatals/agencies -73.
The minister also added that Nigeria is currently enjoying its participation in the summit.
“Nigeria and Germany signed an accelerated performance agreement to expedite the implementation of the Presidential Power Initiative to improve Nigeria’s electricity supply. The agreement was signed by Mr. Kenny Anuwe, the Managing Director and Chief Exective Officer of FGN Power Company, and Ms. Nadja Haakansson, Siemens Energy’s Senior Vice President and Managing Director for Africa, at a ceremony witnessed by President Tinubu and Chancellor Scholz.”
Idris also said President Bola Tinubu hosted a high-level meeting with stakeholders and investors on the Nigeria Carbon Market and the Electric Buses Rollout Programme on the margins of the COP28 climate summit as the nation stands to benefit from the Loss and Damage Fund established during COP-27 in Egypt and formally operationalized at the opening plenary of COP-28 in Dubai.
“The fund will provide substantial non-debt financing to support countries most affected by the impact of climate change. Hundreds of millions of dollars have already been pledged as contributions to the fund,” Idris added.
He said President Tinubu also met the President of the United Arab Emirates to concretise engagements between the two countries.
“President Tinubu and other officials on the Federal Government delegation are in Dubai for serious business, not a jamboree,” Idris added.