THE CHARGE MAKES COURTESY CALL ON MINISTER OF

UNCLAS ABUJA 001505 SIPDIS SIPDIS FROM OFFICE OF AGRICULTURAL AFFAIRS, LAGOS USDA FOR FAS FAA/AREA DIRECTOR RANDALL HAGER, USDA FOR FAS ITP/PATRICIA SHEIKH, THOMAS POMEROY USDOC FOR FCS/OIO/BORR, MSTAUNTON E.O. 12958, N/A TAGS: EAGR ECON PARM TBIO ETRD NI SUBJECT: THE CHARGE MAKES COURTESY CALL ON MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENT ¶1. On June 7, 2006, The Charge' called on Minister of Environment Chief Helen Esuene in response to her April 6 letter to the Ambassador requesting U.S. collaboration on proposed agricultural anti-desertification projects in 11 northern states. AgAttache accompanied the Charge'. Permanent Secretary Sam Olu Adekunle and Emeka Mba, Managing Director of Framan Nigeria, also attended. ¶2. Agridev Israel, a privately owned agricultural development company based in Israel and its local partner Framan Nigeria, and state governments, are planning to implement agro-industrial clusters in 11 northern states to stop desert encroachment, improve agricultural productivity and generate employment as part of a project called "Desert to Food Program". ¶3. The Minister highlighted the following areas of priority for her Ministry; land-reclamation, environmental pollution in coastal areas and solid waste management in urban centers. She said desert encroachment was becoming a serious problem in several northern states and something must be done to stop the loss of arable land. Previous government interventions to address this concern failed, she said. As a result of these past experiences, the government is looking towards a private sector and government partnership to implement this project. The Minister said she would like to see the project launched before the current administration's "eleven months in office" run out. ¶4. The Minister said the Federal Government is committed to the project and would like the support of the international community, particularly the United States. She added that President Obasanjo has endorsed the plan and would like to see "results". (Comment: Framan Nigeria previously told AgAttache that the government has earmarked 300 billion naira ($2.3 billion) for this project in 2006 and the government plans to allocate an additional 300 billion naira in 2007. End comment). ¶5. The Charge' told the Minister that the United States views improved agricultural productivity and the anti- desertification program as important issues. He added that the United States Mission would be happy to collaborate with the Ministry of Environment, where feasible, within the development program for Nigeria. The Minister reported that a planning committee headed by a representative from the Ministry of Environment is to organize an international conference in September in Abuja to officially launch the project. ¶6. The Charge' used the occasion to encourage passage of GON's national biosafety legislation which has been stagnant for several years. The Minister chairs the National Biosafety Committee (NBC),responsible for developing and administering Nigeria's national biosafety legislation. Years ago, the NBC drafted biosafety legislation with support from USAID through the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA). However, the NBC has been inactive. As a result, the draft legislation is yet to be presented to the Federal Executive Council for approval before going to the National Assembly for legislative consideration. The Minister said the draft legislation is not a controversial issue and should move forward. She tasked the Permanent Secretary to look into the matter and "fast-track" the draft biosafety legislation. ANYASO