Nigeria's Niger Delta is one of the world's most polluted wetlands as frequent oil spills from pipelines that litter the region have contaminated its rivers and creeks. In a report on the area, Unep recommended that the Nigerian government should reclaim all lands and waterways devastated by oil spills and President Buhari has agreed to implement the report.
Speaking during a visit to the United Nations office in the Kenyan capital Nairobi, President Buhari urged the international body to support his administration’s efforts to clean up the region. President Buhari added: “When I came into office on May 29, 2015, one of the first tasks I carried out was to authorise the implementation of the recommendations of Unep for the clean-up of Ogoniland.
"The devastation caused by oil spillage has destroyed lives and livelihoods and is one of the reasons people in that region lost faith in government and resorted to criminal activities. The action our government took to implement Unep’s recommendations has given the indigenes hope.”
Sahle Zewde, the resident coordinator of the UN office said President Buhari’s election in a free and fair election demonstrated the commitment of Nigerians to democracy. She described Nigeria as a crucial member of the UN, a vital partner and a major contributor to UN peacekeeping operations.
Before leaving the UN Office, President Buhari undertook the symbolic planting of a tree, a tradition reserved for visiting heads of state and government. He added with half of the world’s population in cities, leaders must pay greater attention to rapid urbanisation.
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