The Special Presidential Envoy on Climate Action, Chief Ajuri Ngelale, has revealed that an audit of Nigeria's participation in the 28th UN Climate Change Conference (COP 28) ordered by President Bola Tinubu uncovered significant wasteful expenditures. Among these was nearly $500,000 spent on a showcase pavilion, along with various unnecessary sub-contracts and consultancies.
According to Segun Imohiosen, Director of Information & Public Relations, Chief Ngelale disclosed these findings during a media briefing at the State House on Tuesday. The audit was initiated following concerns about the size of Nigeria's delegation and associated costs at COP 28 in Dubai. President Tinubu's directive aims to ensure that such inefficiencies are not repeated in future events.
To prevent similar wasteful spending, President Tinubu has approved the establishment of the Climate Accountability and Transparency Portal (CAT-P) and other measures to ensure efficiency and accountability for Nigeria's participation in COP 29, scheduled to take place in Baku, Azerbaijan, from November 11-22, 2024.
Ngelale also announced that strict cost-saving measures would be implemented, potentially saving Nigeria nearly ₦10 billion during COP 29 compared to the previous year's expenditures in Dubai.
"President Bola Tinubu is fully aware of the economic challenges our nation faces," Ngelale said. "As a result, he authorized an audit of last year’s COP 28 expenditure. Our investigation uncovered inefficiencies that needed immediate correction."
Ngelale explained that the CAT-P will allow Nigerians to verify, in real-time, the number of delegates attending COP 29 and those sponsored by the government. This transparency is aimed at ensuring that every delegate's participation is economically justified.
"Only those who are directly involved in activities that attract climate engagement, business opportunities, or new financing into the country will be part of the federal government's delegation this time around," Ngelale emphasized.
He further noted that the Nigerian delegation will utilize a cost-effective on-site delegation office with a time slotting system within the conference complex, reducing costs to less than 10 percent of what was spent on the pavilion the previous year.
"This is the change Nigerians have demanded, and this is the change President Tinubu is delivering," Ngelale concluded.
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