The Federal Government in order to ensure a healthier, cleaner, and more sustainable environment on Tuesday inaugurated the Working Group on Environmental Standards for the Sustainable Procurement Environmental and Social Standards Enhancement (SPESSE) Project
Inaugurating the project in Abuja, the Minister of Environment, Balarabe Lawal, explained that the project was a collaboration of the World Bank and the Federal Government of Nigeria through the Federal Ministry of Environment, Finance, Budget and National Planning, and is aimed at enhancing human capacity in sustainable procurement, environmental, and social standards in both the public and private sectors, which would create a more sustainable future for all.
He noted that: “The Sustainable Procurement, Environmental, and Social Standards Enhancement Program seeks to address a critical gap in our country’s capacity, including the inadequate supply of qualified professionals in procurement, environmental management, and social standards.
“We have recognized the need for a stronger pool of professionals in procurement, environmental management, and social standards. This project will play a pivotal role in filling this void, equipping our workforce with the expertise needed to drive sustainable practices across various sectors. By establishing this working group, we are taking a proactive step toward bridging this gap and building sustainable capacity in these sectors. This is essential not only for the success of the project but also for the long-term sustainability and resilience of our economy and society.”
The Minister added that: “It is important to note that this project’s goals align seamlessly with President Tinubu’s vision for a more transparent procurement process. Transparency is the cornerstone of good governance, and by enhancing our environmental and social standards, we are taking a significant step towards achieving this objective. Furthermore, this initiative is integral to our broader goals of enhanced capacity for global competitiveness, economic growth and job creation.”
He noted that: “A skilled workforce is essential to driving innovation and resilience. By developing and implementing an effective National certification scheme, we are not only investing in the future of our environment but also in the prosperity of our nation.
“The Working Group on Environment Standards (WgES) holds a central place in our efforts to enhance support and foster relevant stakeholders collaboration, both of which are fundamental pillars of the SPESSE Project Development Objectives (PDOs).
“By uniting line experts and harnessing their collective expertise, the Working Group on Environmental Standards (WgES) will play a crucial role in supporting the Project Implementation Unit (PIU) in developing a nationally and globally respected certification scheme. This scheme will not only raise the bar for environmental standards in our country but also position us as a leader in sustainable development on the international stage.”
