‘Budgetary allocation inadequate to address environmental challenges’

The Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Environment, Mrs Ibukun Odusote, has said despite the enormous importance of environmental health to the sustainability of the society, budgetary allocation has remained inadequate to address the various environmental challenges confronting the nation.

Odusote said oftentimes, the ministry’s budget was almost always equated to erosion control alone which unfortunately is just one single aspect of several factors that affect the environment.

The permanent secretary, who stated this, yesterday in Abuja, while taking briefings from departments and agencies of the ministry, said: “Our country is facing myriad of climate change issues and concerns that need serious budgetary provisions to address if we are to attain the targets set by the United Nations on Climate Change.”

She maintained that one could not truly separate environmental issues from the economic sustainability of the society, saying, “Many environmental factors can affect our health and productivity.”

She further enjoined the agencies and parastatals in the environment sector to work out modalities to enhance more media visibility and awareness creation that would favourably impact on their activities.

“It is only when Nigerians are properly sensitized about the value of your job that they can appreciate your efforts and that way you will be able to generate more revenue for the government,” she added.