President Bola Tinubu has greenlit the creation of a Climate Accountability and Transparency Portal (CAT-P) as part of Nigeria’s preparations for the 29th UN Climate Change Conference (COP 29) in Baku, Azerbaijan, set for November 11-22, 2024.
This initiative is aimed at ensuring greater efficiency and accountability in the country’s participation while also implementing significant cost-saving measures.
Chief Ajuri Ngelale, the Special Presidential Envoy on Climate Action, announced the development during a media briefing at the State House on Tuesday.
He revealed that the government expects to save nearly N10 billion in expenses for COP 29 compared to the costs incurred during last year’s COP 28 in Dubai.
“President Bola Tinubu is acutely aware of the economic challenges facing Nigerians, and he has approved a thorough audit of the expenditure profile from COP 28,” Ngelale stated.
“Our investigation uncovered inefficiencies that necessitated immediate corrective actions.”
The newly established CAT-P will allow Nigerians to track the delegation attending COP 29, ensuring transparency across all levels of government.
“This portal will provide real-time data on the delegates, detailing who is attending and who the government is sponsoring,” Ngelale added.
Concerns had been raised about the size and cost of Nigeria’s delegation at COP 28 in Dubai. In response, President Tinubu authorized an audit, which revealed significant wasteful expenditures, including nearly $500,000 on a showcase pavilion and various sub-contracts that were deemed unnecessary.
“This review aims to ensure that expenditures for COP 29 directly contribute to the economic empowerment of Nigerians and the nation’s development,” Ngelale said.
“Only those engaging in activities that attract climate-related business opportunities and financing to Nigeria will be part of the federal delegation.”
To further cut costs, the Nigerian delegation will utilize a time-slotted, on-site office within the conference complex, costing less than 10% of last year’s pavilion expenses.
“This is the change that Nigerians have asked for, and President Tinubu is delivering,” Ngelale concluded. [Global Financial Digest]
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