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In a bid to mitigate the impact of Climate Change in Abia State, the State Ministry of Environment says it has concluded arrangements to hold a two-day Stakeholders Engagement on Climate Change, with the theme: Towards Abia Climate Governance and Policy Framework: Widening Participation for Sustainable Growth”.
The engagement which will last from Thursday, August 29 to Friday August 30 at the International Conference Center, New Government Layout, Umuahia, is the first of its kind, and is intended to discuss issues of Climate Change in Abia State, come up with ways to mitigate the impact of Climate Change in Abia communities as well as ensure that there is a robust Climate Change Policy for the State.
Speaking to newsmen during a press briefing on Tuesday, The Commissioner for Environment, Mr Philemon Ogbonna said the effects of Climate Change on the environment cannot be over-emphasized, adding that there is need to come up with robust action plan to quell the effects of Climate Change in Abia environment.
Mr Philemon Ogbonna
He stated that from Ukwa West where there is constant gas flaring to Abia North where there is huge ecological impact orchestrated by erosion, it has become imperative to develop an action plan and quickly too, to curb the effects of Climate Change in Abia State.
The Commissioner revealed that as part of efforts to ensure Abia does not lag behind in Climate Change issues, the Governor of Abia State, Dr. Alex Otti created a Climate Change Department under the Ministry of Environment to fully devote time on issues bothering on Climate Change which according to him, should not be treated with kid gloves.
Mr Ogbonna, who maintained that discussions and issues of Climate Change encompasses all spheres of human endeavour, stated that because of this, the Ministry is inviting stakeholders in Climate Change studies, those in academia, business, agriculture, civil society groups among other critical sectors for them to convoke and come up with a well taught climate change posture for the State.
He informed that all the 17 Local government areas will be involved in the engagement to ensure that they are also sensitized on the impacts of climate change in their locality, stressing that the policy that will be formulated after, will assist the State in tackling issues of Climate Change holistically.
Mr Ogbonna pointed out that since the present administration of Governor Alex Otti came on board, Abia has been active in discussions revolving around climate change in the country, revealing that the state recently came 8th as one of the states that take up issues of Climate Change seriously.
While acknowledging that the issues of Climate Change is not done by lip service, Mr Ogbonna stated that the State Ministry of Environment is working in tandem with the Federal Ministry of Environment in this regard, reiterating that it is the reason why the state has domesticated the issue of Climate Change and brought it to the front burner for stakeholders to brainstorm.
He, however, emphasized the need for Abia to have a robust Climate Change Action Plan, stating that at the end of the engagement, international agencies among others, will see the reason why their assistance is needed to mitigate the effect of climate change in Abia State.
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