President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday in Paris asked developed countries to make strong financial commitments to the 14 billion dollars urgently needed to revive the Lake Chad and save communities dependent on the river from extinction, noting that, this will curb migration to Europe.
Addressing a high level meeting on “Climate Change Challenges and Solutions in Africa”, on the sidelines of the on-going UN Climate Change Conference, COP 21, President Buhari said no fewer than five million people living in the Lake Chad Basin countries have been displaced by the depletion of the lake due to climate change.
The President said the shrinkage of Lake Chad, a former island sea, had resulted in increased social conflicts, high rates of migration and cross border movements.
“Nigeria has a large population of over 170 million people and in some parts of Northern Nigeria, a farm that used to belong to 10 people now belongs to over 100 people. They have no other place to live and no land for cultivation,’’ he said.
President Buhari recalled that a research conducted by a professor in a London university and published more than three decades ago had predicted that unless one or some of the rivers from the Central African region are diverted to empty into the Lake Chad basin, the river will dry up.
He noted that sadly that prediction has become reality as the lake which covers over 25,000 square kilometers in 1925 have shrunk to 2,500 square kilometers. “The amount of resources required and the high technological expertise and infrastructure needed to be undertaken to revive the Lake Chad has to be mainly financed by the G7 and the United States.
“The cost is great and more than 14 billion dollars is needed to revive the Lake. “But if that is achieved, at least five million people from Central African Republic to the Lake Chad Basin countries (Chad, Niger, Nigeria and Benin) will be rehabilitated.
“When this is done those who are daring to cross the Sahara desert and the Mediterranean to come to Europe will remain at home because they have land where they can cultivate and earn a respectable living,’’ he said.
President Buhari used the occasion of his address on the second day of the climate change conference to reiterate his appeal to leaders from the developed countries to make revival of the Lake Chad a top priority.
On Nigeria’s plans to tackle climate change, President Buhari told the meeting attended by the French President, UN Secretary-General and several African leaders that the country was blessed with natural gas to boost the country’s energy needs.
He said although the technology to optimally utilize natural gas in the country was expensive for the country to maintain, Nigeria welcomes international partnerships and initiatives for lower carbon in the oil and gas sector that focuses on reducing natural gas flaring and capturing the product for commercial use.
Recognizing the acute threats that climate change posed to Nigeria’s development, President Buhari said his administration was ready to embrace several opportunities presented by the challenges posed by climate change. For more scintillating and juicy stories, follow the official Naijapals accounts On Twitter - https://twitter.com/Naijapals and Facebook - www.facebook.com/naijapals
I have been reporting on latest news from Nigeria for almost 10 years now. I report on every possible news area I come across, but always ensure my reports are compiled with dignity and fact to uphold my personal values and duty as a journalist
Posted: at 1-12-2015 09:31 PM (8 years ago) | Addicted Hero
If Nigeria has d highest population pls do somethg abt it up north. Dem dey shit pikin like fowl wey dey lay eggs. They over populating dis country and its embarrassing. Meanwhile u shld also tell d foreigners dat u will provide everythg for ur pple so they won't migrate. Mcthewwww yeye dey smell
Posted: at 1-12-2015 10:00 PM (8 years ago) | Addicted Hero
If Nigeria has d highest population pls do somethg abt it up north. Dem dey shit pikin like fowl wey dey lay eggs. They over populating dis country and its embarrassing. Meanwhile u shld also tell d foreigners dat u will provide everythg for ur pple so they won't migrate. Mcthewwww yeye dey smell
you spoke my mind, those northerners people likes children so much, and the funny aspect is that they are so poor to take care of the kids, no education
Posted: at 1-12-2015 10:09 PM (8 years ago) | Gistmaniac
This man is clearly earmarking a nothern Agenda for his tenure.
For goodness sake what has lake Chad basin got to do with migration to Europe. The largest migrants being accepted in Italy or other European countries are Arabs. In West Africa they are mostly from Mali, Senegal or other countries with high proximity to Sahara desert. As per Nigerians the highest migrants to Europe are Igbos, Edos or other people of southern stock.
For goodness sake what has lake chad got to do with the migration of these people to Europe. So you went to a summit where meaningful issues are discussed to talk utter balderdash. My brother you have a problem.
Posted: at 1-12-2015 10:30 PM (8 years ago) | Upcoming
The presido! The presido!! The presido!!! How many times have i called to u. Old people have only dreams, while young once have visions. I think a little more younger person would have been good representative president for Nigeria more them PHB. Naija which way now? Next time let us open our eyes.
Posted: at 2-12-2015 12:24 AM (8 years ago) | Gistmaniac
pascaludube at 2-12-2015 02:33 AM (8 years ago) (m)
Quote from: Activated on 1-12-2015 10:30 PM
This man is clearly earmarking a nothern Agenda for his tenure.
For goodness sake what has lake Chad basin got to do with migration to Europe. The largest migrants being accepted in Italy or other European countries are Arabs. In West Africa they are mostly from Mali, Senegal or other countries with high proximity to Sahara desert. As per Nigerians the highest migrants to Europe are Igbos, Edos or other people of southern stock.
For goodness sake what has lake chad got to do with the migration of these people to Europe. So you went to a summit where meaningful issues are discussed to talk utter balderdash. My brother you have a problem.
God bless you my brother.I was just pondering over this b4 you wrote it. That is what happens when you make a clueless man your president. For God sake if you want to curb the influx of migrants into Europe,do it by stopping corruption,build infrastructures ,and invest in education and jobs. And you are here telling me about lake Chad that has little or nothing to contribute directly to wider Nigerians other than north.
Posted: at 2-12-2015 02:33 AM (8 years ago) | Newbie
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