REDD+ in Nasarawa to assess UN forestry programme status

REDD+ is a gateway for green development and economies, allowing countries to access climate funds, reports say. A few countries are engaged in REDD+, with Nigeria joining in 2010. Cross River was selected a pilot state and, now with additional funding, there is provision for two more states to join. Presently, scoping missions are on in some states – Taraba, Nasarawa, Kaduna, Delta, Ekiti, Ondo and Lagos – which have applied to be included in the REDD+.
Nasarawa State’s application attracted a visit by REDD+ to assess its capacity to implement the programme, according to Salisu Dahiru, national coordinator of the programme, who is also the Director of Forestry at the Ministry of Environment.
Salisu led a delegation to Lafia, the state capital, last week, to meet with the state officials in the environment sector on the preparedness of Nasarawa, which delighted the state government, promising to return the “paradise” to benefit the state.
The national coordinator urged the state to put more effort at reducing emission and deforestation to return the God-given environment and its benefits.
Governor Umaru Tanko Al-Makura, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), received the team and expressed delight with the assessment visit. He promised the state’s commitment in the implementation of the programme to achieve the desired result in returning forests with tree planting and the reduction of tree felling, if approved to benefit from REDD+.