NIGERIA lacks the capacity to handle marine population, the federal government has declared.
The government, however, admitted that marine pollution was not common to Nigeria alone, adding that super powers are also battling the same challenge.
The Minister of Environment, Mrs. Laurentia Mallam, made this revelation in Abuja while receiving a letter of approval for Nigeria to host the Regional Coordinating Centre to combat marine pollution in West, Central and Southern Africa.
The letter was delivered to the minister by the Executive Secretary, Abidjan Convention, Mr. Abou Bamba, during a courtesy visit at the ministry’s headquarters.
According to her, Nigeria lacks the capabilities, technology and manpower to handle the challenges posed by marine pollution.
She said: “Yes, we have this problem, but it is not only Nigeria that is battling with this problem. But we are doing our best. The citing of the marine pollution headquarters here will give us the advantage.
“We do not have the technology and capability to handle these problems. With others coming in, it will be a combined effort and we will be able to do it well. So, we are happy to have it here. And I know that with others with us, we shall succeed.”
The minister assured the convention of the support of the federal government in fighting marine pollution.
Earlier, Bamba, said that the hosting of the headquarters in Nigeria was another step in tackling marine pollution in the region.
According to him, this will also speed up the clean-up of Ogoni land, adding that the Abidjan convention would provide adequate logistics to make the Nigerian centre functional and successful.