Stakeholders plan bill to regulate environmental practitioners

To stem the proliferation of quacks and poor environmental management, the National Assembly committee on Environment and Habitat has move to infuse discipline in environmental practice by practitioners.

The lawmakers in partnership with Nigerian Environmental Society (NES) and Waste Management Society of Nigeria (WAMASON) are promoting the Institute of Environmental Practitioners of Nigeria (IEPN) as a means to achieve environmental sustainability, accountability and due diligence.

After their retreat in Lagos attended by the Chairman, House Committee on Environment, Obinna Chidoka, Chairman, Senate Committee on Population and Environment, Suleiman Usman Hunkuyi, National President of Waste Management Society of Nigeria, Prof.Yemi Osinbajo and President, Nigerian Environment Society, Prof. Lawrence Ezemonye, they agreed that the establishment of the Institute would raise competency and boost professionalism in the sector and give greater access to Nigeria and Nigerians to access Green bond, carbon credit and other related green investment and financial aids which stand immensely to contribute to investment opportunity in the emerging green economy.

The stakeholders at the Parliamentary retreat of the National Assembly committee on environment and Habitat in Lagos, also said that the well-being and survival of the country, depends on the environment, hence protecting the environment is essential.

Ezemonye said: ‘’NES and WAMASON is willing to reach out to other stakeholders, and organizations in order to make the Bill/ Act inclusive and accommodative of all relevant interest demonstrate a shining example of patriotism and selfless service.

He also noted that the model being proposed for the establishment of the framework that have the various relevant organisations was considered more encouraging and will bring sanity to the profession as well as ensure enforcement of code of conduct and professional ethics.

NES President noted that in spite of the various initiatives to protect and manage the environment at all levels with the support of various professional in the field of environmental practice not much success has been recorded principally because there is no clear procedure and standard for certification of expertise amongst practitioners.