INSTANT NEWS

The House of Representatives is considering the introduction of legislation aimed at securing federal funding for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Terseer Ugbor, a member of the House of Representatives, made this announcement during an event on funding for change in Abuja. He emphasized the importance of creating structures to ensure a safe environment for citizens, highlighting that environmental sustainability is a significant component of the SDGs. Additionally, he stressed the need for government entities at all levels to conduct environmental assessments and consider the social impacts of their actions alongside economic considerations.

Ugbor revealed that the National Assembly's lower chamber has established a committee dedicated to the SDGs. This committee is expected to develop policies and regulations related to SDGs. He further explained that the aim is to propose recommendations and policies that would ensure federal funding for the SDGs is effectively executed at the state and local government levels, allowing for a trickle-down effect rather than being limited to the federal level.

During the event, stakeholders emphasized the importance of developing relevant policies and bankable projects to attract the necessary funding for achieving the SDGs. Edu Okeke, the Managing Director of Azura Power West Africa, highlighted the necessity for governments to consider environmental assessments and the overall impact of projects on citizens when making development-related decisions. He also pointed out that Nigeria has often struggled to develop projects that are attractive to available financing.

Ure Utah, the founder of Bridge Synergy, explained that the conference's focus was on securing financial support for innovative social impact initiatives, with the goal of closing the annual financial gap of $10 billion by introducing development partners to suitable SDG initiatives in Nigeria.