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By Cecilia Odey
A former federal lawmaker, Chief Sam Onuigbo says late former president, Muhammadu Buhari made profound impact on the Nigeria’s climate change space and petroleum industry during his eight-year tenure.
Onuigbo said this during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Friday.
According to him by signing the Climate Change Bill into an Act, after previous presidents failed to do so, Buhari’s demonstrated commitment to leave a legacy of safe environment for Nigerians.
Onuigbo who successfully sponsored the Bill in the National Assembly said the late president’s contributions to the Bill before signing it into law contributed a lot to its inclusive nature.
He said it also gave birth to the National Council on Climate Change, the agency of Federal Government responsible for overseeing Nigeria’s climate change actions.
According to Onuigbo, by personally attending several international climate change engagements, Buhari showed his desire to positively project Nigeria’s image in the area of climate change.
“I was at COP 21 (Conference of Parties) where the Paris Agreement was adopted by world leaders. He led the Nigeria’s delegation.
“I recall vividly when he signed the Paris Agreement during the 71st UNGA (United Nations General Assembly).
“I was in his delegation when he attended the COP 22 in Marrakesh, Morocco. One thing is clear, he late President Muhammadu Buhari came fully aware of the devastating impact of climate change,’’ he told NAN.
He said this could be because Buhari previously served as the governor of North Eastern State and came from Katsina State where climate change impacts were visible through desert encroachment.
Onuigbo the Petroleum Industry Bill which was signed into an Act by Buhari in 2021 after it suffered many years of rejection reflected his desire to instil transparency in the oil industry.
The Act outlines specific tax and royalty regimes for different types of petroleum operations, including deep offshore, and addresses gas flaring penalties.
It promotes a more liberalised and competitive petroleum market, including deregulation of petroleum products prices.
The Act mandates the establishment of Host Communities Development Trust by oil and gas companies to address the needs and aspirations of communities that host petroleum operations. (NAN)
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