Nigeria Police To Launch ‘Go Green Initiative’ To Reduce Impact Of Climate Change

The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has announced plans to launch a “Go Green Initiative” in 2024 to support Nigeria’s transition to a low-carbon economy.

The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, announced this on Monday in Dubai during a side event at the COP28 climate summit, Naija News reports

Egbetokun said the Go Green Initiative is the police’s carbon emissions reduction programme. The IGP added that the sustainable development project will also enhance the police’s effectiveness and capacity to fight crime and maintain peace and stability in the country.

“There is a growing concern about climate change around the world. What the police are doing is blazing the trail so that other government agencies will follow suit.

“The initiative plans to encourage a lifestyle change amongst officers by implementing various eco-friendly strategies.

“These include planting trees around police stations, using solar power to light up police facilities, and rolling out gas and electric vehicles,” the police boss added.

According to Egbetokun, the project is part of Nigeria’s global efforts to reduce the impact of climate change.

COP28: Why I Refused To Physically Attend UN Climate Change Conference In Dubai – Obaseki

Meanwhile, the Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, has said that he was invited to attend the 28th session of the United Nations Climate Change Conference or Conference of the Parties of the UNFCCC, commonly known as COP28, but opted to join the conference virtually on account of the reforms initiated to develop the State’s digital economy.

In a chat with BBC Pidgin, the governor, who reeled out a list of achievements recorded in the last seven years of his administration in the State, noted that the state has transitioned to paperless work mode, which has made working in Edo civil and public service flexible, better and more productive.

He said, “I was invited to attend the COP28 in Dubai, but I told them I am going to join them virtually. We have a lot to showcase in the state as regards climate change. We are tackling deforestation, planting trees and preserving our land. Illegal tree logging is causing erosion in the state and we are determined to end the trend. It is still raining in December; there is climate change, and we are working to protect our people.”

Obaseki noted that the state is massively investing in the digital economy, especially in digital infrastructure and manpower development.

He said: “In terms of technology, we have trained 6 cohorts of 100 students each on software engineering. Some of them are working for blue-chip companies from Edo here. We have deployed 2000km of fibre optic cable infrastructure across the State’s 18 local government areas. That is why we are able to go fully paperless in the State’s civil and public service.”