Tinubu Promise Support For Nigeria Police Green Initiative

President Bola Tinubu has stated that his administration is attempting to put Nigeria at the forefront of developing a strong, sustainable carbon market valued at $2.5 billion through the Committee for the Carbon Market Activation Plan, a green project.

“Additionally, the Presidency has established a Presidential Committee on Climate Action and Green Economic Solutions to coordinate and oversee all policies and programmes on climate action and green economic development.

Tinubu, who was represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, made this known in a speech titled “Policing the Nation with Green Solutions” at the Official Launch of the Nigeria Police Force Green Initiative, held at the Police Resource Centre, Jabi, Abuja, on Thursday.

He said, “There is no part of the world that can claim to live in denial of the realities of climate change today.

“The consequences are everywhere, from our unstable weather conditions to our water bodies and the yields of our farms. No person or place is spared from this threat to our ecosystem, and this must spur each person and organization to join in the implementation of solutions.

“I, therefore, am delighted by this measure taken by a distinguished institution such as the Nigeria Police Force.

“Nigeria has been at the forefront of the global search for solutions to the devastation of climate change. We have always known that we cannot reach the target of aligning with international climate goals and reducing greenhouse gas emissions unless each person and stakeholder lives up to their obligation.

“This is the promise we made to the world at the COP 28 conference in Dubai last year. Alongside other nations, we reiterated the urgent need for global cooperation to implement solutions that can stop and reverse the effects of climate change.

“The Climate Change Act 2021, which sets out to achieve low greenhouse gas emissions, green, and sustainable growth and sets a target for reaching net zero, is a cornerstone of our efforts.

“The Energy Transition Plan (ETP) promises to achieve net zero emissions by 2060. Our National Climate Change Policy (NCCP), Debt-for-Climate Action Swaps, and Renewable Energy Targets are some of the interventions in place to fast-track our solutions, whether through adjustments or financing our transition towards a low-carbon economy.

“Over the past decades, our nation has endured the shrinking of its water bodies, perennial floods, disrupted livestock production, epileptic power generation, and food crises. Therefore, a sustainable development programme that engages innovative green solutions is a strategic intervention.

“This novel approach, I believe, will boost the operational efficiency and capacity of the Nigeria Police Force to fight crime and maintain law and order. We are committed to fully supporting this endeavour.

“We welcome this initiative by the Nigeria Police Force because the connection between climate change and security is a price we have paid enough.

“Therefore, we are going to throw our weight behind its success. We have in place a Committee for the Carbon Market Activation Plan, which positions Nigeria at the forefront of creating a robust, sustainable carbon market worth $2.5 billion.

“Our consistent presence at successive editions of the annual Conference of the Parties (COP), the supreme decision-making body of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), is a testament to the commitment and resilience of our nation to the implementation of the Convention and any other legal instruments that the COP adopts.

“We have also been taking decisions necessary to promote the effective implementation of the Convention, including institutional and administrative arrangements.

“The Nigeria Police Green Initiative, therefore, emphasises our bid to prioritise innovation and partnerships as fundamental drivers for the nation’s transition to a green economy. This is an opportunity for you to transition the facilities of your institution to renewable energy sources and promote environmental awareness and education.

“As a strategic collaboration with NEA Energie Limited, a private sector entity, I believe this initiative will further facilitate local and international investments in green infrastructure, engage communities, and build local capacity in green technology across the nation.

He commended the Inspector General of Police for his vision and leadership in championing this initiative, adding, “I also applaud the consulting technical partners, NEA Energie Limited, for working with the Nigeria Police Force to develop this advanced innovation in Africa. We call for more partnerships of a similar kind as we work to make the world a safer place.

In his remarks, the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, said, “The Nigeria Police Green Initiative (NPGI) signifies a major milestone in the evolution of the Nigeria Police Force and underscores our unwavering commitment to environmental responsibility, and innovative policing.

“Law enforcement agencies worldwide are increasingly recognizing the impact of climate change and environmental degradation on community safety and well-being.

“The Nigeria Police Force is at the forefront of this movement, embracing green initiatives that support our mandate to serve and protect.

“At the COP28 Summit in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, in December 2023, I unveiled the Nigeria Police Green Initiative before a global audience, marking the first of its kind in Africa. I also pledged the Nigeria Police Force’s commitment to renewable energy through green solutions to boost our operational efficiency and capacity to fight crime and maintain law and order in Nigeria.

“By integrating innovative green solutions into the operational challenges faced by the Nigeria Police Force, we identified significant opportunities for socio-economic development while improving our operational efficiency in fighting crime.

“This programme focuses on sustainable practices such as energy-efficient facilities, renewable energy sources, eco-friendly vehicles, and waste management, aiming to reduce our environmental footprint, promote sustainable development, and create a healthier and safer environment for all.

“The key objectives of the Nigeria Police Green Initiative include leveraging low-carbon climate-resilient development pathways to scale up the infrastructure development and operational efficiency of the Nigeria Police Force and supporting the Federal Government’s economic reformation through the Green Economic Initiative.

Others are supporting the implementation of Nigeria’s NDC, Energy Transition, and Net-Zero targets; supporting the President’s Climate and Green Economy Initiative, improving the well-being of NPF personnel and their families through green innovation development; and developing a closer relationship with local communities through climate change community engagement.

He disclosed that the Nigeria Police Green Initiative rests on four pillars: solar power deployment, electric and gas-powered vehicles, nature-based solutions, and community green outreach.

“Under these pillars, we have developed a project portfolio that includes solar installations at 5,000 locations, 38 megawatts of solar power generation, the deployment of 840 electric vehicles, and 600 hybrid gas/fuel motorcycles.

“Others are 790 gas-conversion vehicles, 114 electric vehicle charging stations, 38 gas refill stations, and a 1 million tree-planting program.and Engagement of 175 communities.

“The Nigeria Police Green Initiative is not only a moral imperative but also a strategic necessity. Its benefits include contributing to clean energy and energy efficiency, emission reduction, and infrastructure modernization. The initiative will also create green skills, generate jobs, and reduce crime vulnerability.”

“Engaging the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) as a critical implementation partner demonstrates our commitment to integrating local content, creating green skills, and generating jobs among Nigeria’s youth. We also collaborate with RungasCNG, an indigenous company, to advance this cause.”