From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
The Presidency has announced plans to cut expenditures for the upcoming COP29 climate conference in Azerbaijan, aiming to save over N10 billion. This decision comes as that country prepares to host the 29th session of the United Nations Climate Change Conference from November 11-22, 2024.
This decision follows the controversy surrounding Nigeria’s delegation at COP28 in Dubai, where the country had a representation of 1,441 delegates, the highest number from Africa.
Critics, including opposition leaders, condemned the high delegation describing it as excessive amid Nigeria’s economic struggles, alleging that many delegates were political appointees lacking expertise in climate issues.
The backlash had raised questions about the effectiveness and composition of Nigeria’s representation in international climate discussions as the nation prepares for COP29.
The budget reduction, the presidency said reflects a commitment to efficient resource management while enhancing climate action initiatives, including the newly launched Climate Finance Action Fund, which seeks to mobilize $1 billion for climate projects in developing nations.
Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale made the disclosure while briefing State House Correspondents on Tuesday at the presidential Villa, Abuja .
He said President Bola Tinubu in response to public outcry over the size and cost of Nigeria’s delegation to COP28 in Dubai last year ordered a comprehensive audit of the country’s participation
He said the audit revealed unnecessary spending and attendees who “had no business” at the conference.
He said “many Nigerians would recall that as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Federal Government of Nigeria’s delegation to COP 28 in Dubai, UAE, last year, there were some elements of outcry concerning the size of the delegation.
“There was some deliberate misinformation. But the truth of the matter is, we also found that there were government officials who had no business at that meeting, and some with significant delegations.
“And in view of this, His Excellency, President Bola Tinubu had approved in order to be undertaken of that exercise to fully understand and ascertain what happened and what must be done to ensure that what happened never repeats itself in this country.
“And as a result of that, within the Office of the Special Presidential Envoy on climate action, which I lead, and in the Office of the Director General, CEO of the National Council on Climate Change, an exercise has been concluded detailing exactly what the expenditure profile was of COP 28 with a view to ensuring that we implement measures that would ensure that whatever is spent ahead of COP 29 has a function that will lead to the economic empowerment of our people and the economic development of our nation”, he said.
To address these issues, Ngelale said the government has implemented several cost-cutting measures for COP29 which include; Introduction of a Climate Accountability and Transparency Portal: This system will provide real-time, public access to information about delegation members and their roles, ensuring only those with “economic imperative” attend.
“Elimination of showcase pavilion: The government will not purchase a showcase pavilion, which cost nearly $500,000 at COP28. Instead, they will utilize a delegate office within the conference complex, expected to cost less than 10% of the pavilion price.
“Reduction in consultancy and subcontracting fees: Services such as lighting and technology provision will be handled directly by the Secretariat of the National Council on Climate Change, eliminating costly third-party contracts.
The Presidential spokesman stressed that these changes align with President Tinubu’s commitment to fiscal responsibility and transparency.
According to him, “This is the change that Nigerians have asked for. This is the change that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is giving to them.”
Ngelale further added that these measures are just the beginning, suggesting that similar audits and cost-saving initiatives may be implemented for other government activities in the future.
According to him” we are also ensuring that some of these wasteful platforms that give rise to consultancies and subcontracts for lighting, for technological provision that these are elements that can be provided directly from the Secretariat of the National Council on climate change, with all of the savings through the provision and implementation of the climate accountability and transparency portal.
“As well as our active cut down of expenditure items that were found in the COP 28 expenditure profile, we have put ourselves in a position to save this country over B10 billion on this 11 Day event in November. So the President will continue to ensure that Nigerians have confidence that in all of our activities moving forward.
“We have conducted comprehensive audits of where we have gone wrong in the past with a view to resolving them. GOP 29 is just the beginning,” he added.