Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, representing Ondo South in the National Assembly, has expressed concerns regarding the federal government’s funding of 422 delegates for the 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) Summit in Dubai, labeling the number as insufficient.
In an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Monday, Ibrahim underscored the perceived inadequacy of funding over 400 delegates for such a significant conference, citing potential future hosting aspirations.
Highlighting the importance of delegate numbers in fostering knowledge exchange, Ibrahim highlighted Nigeria’s environmental challenges arising from pollution.
Notably, he commended President Bola Tinubu’s role at the summit, emphasizing that Tinubu’s engagement in numerous multimillion-dollar bilateral deals within Nigeria’s interests was crucial.
He asserted that Tinubu’s presence in Dubai with a larger delegation signified Nigeria’s seriousness to the international community.
At the ongoing COP 28 Summit, Ibrahim emphasized the necessity for African countries to engage in climate change liability agreements with developed nations responsible for carbon emissions affecting the continent.
Ibrahim said, “We don’t produce cars in Africa, but the whole world uses cars. These cars are produced in Germany, America, Russia, China, and India.
“Imagine the number of cars in the world and the resultant consequences of burning fossil fuel are the climatic disasters we are faced with in Africa.”
Expressing dissatisfaction with advanced nations’ avoidance of signing liability agreements, the lawmaker stressed the significance of compensation for Africa’s carbon emissions impact.
He also highlighted the potential benefits, such as aiding Africa in offsetting its substantial foreign debt.
“Many people on the continent of Africa are currently facing unexplainable medical issues that defy treatments as a result of inhaling carbon dioxide rather than oxygen.
“It is a proven fact that emissions from developed countries do not need to visit Nigeria’s embassy or any African countries’ embassies before gaining entry into the continent.
“It is imperative and a matter of urgency for developed countries to sign liability agreements with African countries that bear the brunts of their activities to cushion the effects economically.”
