By Sunday Ani
Director, Centre for Sustainable Development, Federal University of Petroleum Resources (CSD-FUPRE), Effurun, Delta State, Dr. Emeka Elemike, has urged governments at all levels to maintain sustainable development by aligning their policies with the SDGs.
He noted that it would ensure a comprehensive approach to sustainable development rather than meeting today’s needs at the expense of tomorrow’s future.
He warned against unsustainable development, which can exacerbate social and economic disparities, resulting in increased poverty, inequality and social unrest, as continued exploitation of natural resources can cause irreversible damage such as climate change, deforestation and biodiversity loss.
Dr Elemike, according to a statement by the Centre’s head of media, Mr Benjamin Atu, called on various state governments across the nation to partner with the CSD-FUPRE. This, he said, would help them align their policies by incorporating sustainable development principles into policy-making and investing in sustainable infrastructure.
He noted that it would also help them to adopt eco-friendly practices, reduce waste, conquer environmental degradation, improve living standards, provide access to clean water and sanitation and promote public health.
According to him, “Sustainable Development is beyond building an enviable infrastructural needs of today and hindering the progress of tomorrow. We must meet tomorrow’s expectations through all of our actions today.
“CSD-FUPRE, as a service organ and research institution, welcomes entries to assist the government in meeting today’s needs without jeopardising the future,” he said.
He maintained that sustainable development must be sustained because it seeks to balance economic, social and environmental needs, ensuring a liveable future for generations yet unborn while meeting public expectations.
“If sustainable development is not sustained, progress made may be reversed,” Elemike warned.