Nigeria, Niger sign agreement on environmental protection

Nigeria, Niger sign agreement on environmental protection

Nigeria and Niger Republic Joint Commission for Co-operation has agreed to embark on the second phase of the Integrated Ecosystem Management (IEM) in their trans-border areas.

This was contained in a communiqué issued at the end of the 36th Meeting of the Council of Ministers of the two countries, held from October 7 to 11, 2011.  

Project funding and control programme

The project should be financed from the two country’s transparency system for resources allocation in compliance with the new instructions of Global Environmental Fund (GEF).

The ministers noted the adverse consequences in terms of desert encroachment, drought and recurrent flooding, and agreed to prepare a joint desert control programme to incorporate climate change aspects related to their poverty reduction policies.

The communiqué was jointly signed by Nigeria's Minister of State (111) for Foreign Affairs, Mr Nuruddeen Muhammed and Niger Republic's Foreign Affairs Minister, Mr Mohamed Bazoum.

The next meeting of the council is scheduled to hold in Niger Republic in August 2012.

NAN/Williams