Environment
THE Enugu State Government has partnered the Society for Planet and Prosperity (SPP) to hold a stakeholders’ engagement on the state’s climate governance, policy and action plan.
This is contained in a statement signed by Mr Paul Ogwu, Programmes Manager at SPP, on Friday in Lagos.
The statement said that the engagement aimed at aligning and domesticating Nigeria’s climate strategy at the state level was supported by the African Climate Foundation.
The statement said that Gov. Peter Mbah of Enugu State delivered a keynote address on the state’s vision for ‘Climate Resilience and Green Economy.’
Represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, Mbah said the state is committed to building climate resilient infrastructures and a green economy.
He said the state had built a solid team to help actualise a green economy and build the resilience of the state to climate change.
According to hiim, the state has also set up the necessary structures that will drive climate action, policy, climate change resilience and green economy.
Mbah said the state’s “climate governance policy is anchored on the principles of sustainability, inclusivity and innovation.”
“Substantiality is at the heart of climate policy in rural economy, clean energy, sustainable agriculture and circular economy,” he added.
The governor expressed the commitment of his administration to power the 250 model schools under construction with renewable energy source.
He said the state is working to leverage on circular economy, climate resilient infrastructure plan towards achieving a sustainable economy.
He emphasised the need to balance projects that are green and sustainable in the long run.
Mbah added that his administration was working towards changing Enugu state from a coal city to a green city.
The statement said that the Commissioner for Environment Prof. S.C Ugwu, earlier in his welcome, address, highlighted the impact of climate change in the state.
Ugwu traced the effects of climate change in the state and communities to rainfalls, dry seasons, increased frequency and intense flooding, deep gully erosion, thus endangering the life and property of residents.
He explained that the state is committed to the development of a science-based climate policy through comprehensive data and scientific analysis.
“These will form the bedrock to develop a strategic climate action plan, engage stakeholders and develop a robust climate change policy and climate finance.
The commissioner noted that if the conversation is done in an open and constructive dialogue, it would challenge conventional thinking and explore innovative solutions to climate challenges.
The statement also quoted the President of SPP, Prof Chukwumerije Okereke, as underscoring the importance and relevance of the state to have a scientific- based climate policy and action.
Okereke, who is also the Special Adviser to the government on Climate Change and Development, said the policy would help the state to transform to a green economy.
He underscored the importance of the policy as a major driver of addressing the impact of climate change globally.
He said that women and Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) were disproportionally affected by the impact of climate change, the need to tackle it through mitigation and adaptation measures.
He stressed the importance of just transition in the whole climate change process.
The statement said that the inception meeting and engagement was attended by government functionaries and, top civil servants.
Other attendees included businessmen, civil society organisations, youth-based groups, women groups and PWDs. (NAN)
19th July, 2024.
C.E.
Tags: Enugu State government Paul Ogwu Society for Planet and Prosperity (SPP)
