By Chisimdi Esther
Environmental experts and stakeholders in Imo State have launched a policy to ensure sustainable and healthy environment as well as achieve climate change resilient future in the state .
The policy was developed and facilitated by a non-governmental organization, Spaces for Change, S4C, in collaboration with the State Ministry of Environment and Sanitation.
Speaking at the official launch of the policy in Owerri, the State Commissioner for Environment and Sanitation, Barr. Major Emenike, who represented the Governor, Sen. Hope Uzodimma said that climate change was a present challenge that affects livelihoods and the environment.
He stressed that the challenge manifest in rising temperature, environmental depredation, flooding and unpredictable weather patterns among others.
According to him, the new policy demonstrated government's dedication to safeguarding natural resources and the wellbeing of the residents, while highlighting the importance of shared responsibility in realizing the objectives.
"This policy is built on the principle of sustainability, equity, and social inclusion. It sets the platform to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, protecting our forests and water bodies, and promoting renewable energy and climate- smart agriculture," he said.
While appreciating S4C for its contributions towards the draft climate change policy, Emenike called for collaboration among the stakeholders, saying, "together we can transform the climate change challenges into opportunities, creating green jobs, enhancing food security and building a state that thrives in harmony with nature."
Contributing, the Executive Director, Spaces for Change, Victoria Ibezim-Ohaeri, stated that the event provided an opportunity for the participants to contribute towards getting a holistic policy or that reflects local aspirations and realities, as well as addresses local challenges of climate change which she said had impacted the state diversely.
Ibezim-Ohaeri noted that the draft policy when fully enforced would provide direction and build a governance architecture that would help the state achieve climate change resilience.
She called for citizens' collaboration and support, saying, "government alone cannot take responsibility. Everybody has a role to play because climate change affects all."
Presenting the climate change drafted policy to the participants, the Program Officer, Energy and Extractive Justice, Akinjiola Tosin, disclosed that gaps in climate issues in the state necessitated the proposed legal framework which aimed to guide positive and resilient climate action across the state.
According to her, the goals are to "reduce greenhouse gas emissions, protect vulnerable communities, promote clean and renewable energy, provide funding for local climate projects and to mainstream climate action across all sectors."
Akinjiola who noted that the drafted policy aligned with Nigeria's Climate Change Act 2021, International Climate Goals and also highlighted the roles expected from stakeholders at various levels towards achieving the climate change objectives, called for decisive implementation and enforcement when the drafted policy is considered by the state legislature.
In his submission, a participant and the Vice-Chancellor of the Claretian University, Nekede, Owerri, Rev. Fr. Prof. Wence Madu, called for greater roles for educational institutions, while Mr. Chibundu Uchegbu of Better Community Life Initiative, urged action against open grazing to mitigate the impact of climate change on agriculture.
Another contributor, Mr. Uzor Onyebuchi from Abacheke Community in Ohaji/Egbema LGA, advocated severe penalties against unethical oil and gas exploration activities, including bunkering because of their hazardous impacts on human and the environment. Similarly, a traditional ruler, Eze Marcel Uzegbu described the event as revolutionary, calling for synergy towards making it a success.
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