By: Isatou Sarr
The National Environment Agency (NEA) spearheaded a national dialogue with religious leaders on sustainable environmental practices in view of their role as positive change-makers.
The dialogue, held on Monday at NaNa Conference Centre,brought together religious leaders from across the country.
In his opening remarks, Executive Director of NEA, Dr.Dawda Badgie, stated that, to a larger extent, the environment that support “our own existence” is under serious threat, from climate change to biodiversity loss, deforestation, waste management, chemical mis-use, land degradation, air pollution, coastal zone degradation among others all of which, he added, have negative impact on environmental health and quality of life as humans and other God-created creatures.
“In this fight, this sensitization is being organized to support in this process and protect and ourselves and the communities you represent,” he highlighted.
“The objective of the sensitization is to strengthen the knowledge on environmental issues and the role of the NEA as mandated by laws to protect humans, plants and animals of this country and the world over.
“I would, therefore, request you, through your influence asImams, Pastors or religious leaders to use your powers and to play pro-active roles in achieving our desired goals in environmental preservation to save ourselves and our future generation. You owe a lot to the people you represent and not only the people but other living and non-living things within your communities,” Dr. Badgie emphasized.
“One thing is clear… If we do not take care of the environment, the environment will take care of us,” he pointed out. The NEA boss called on all and sundry to demonstrate commitment towards meeting the national obligations of the protection and preservation of the environment.
“We observed wind storms and flooding in this country and most are man-made man,” he stated.
