Towards Abia Climate Governance and Policy Framework: ABSG engages stakeholders on climate change
The Commissioner for Environment, Abia State Mr. Philemon Asonye Ogbonna has said that the Ministry would organize a 2-day stakeholder engagement on climate change in Umuahia, the State capital, with the theme, “Towards Abia Climate Governance and Policy Framework: Widening participation for sustainable growth”.
Briefing newsmen in his office in Umuahia, Mr. Ogbonna, said that the summit would attract Dr. Nkiruka Maduekwe, the Director General and Chief Executive Officer of the National Council on Climate Change, and other experts in the sector.
He said the summit would afford the opportunity for the state to develop a well designed and robust climate change policy and as well map out strategies/programmes on how to mitigate the challenges posed by climate change.
He pointed out that the story of climate change is so large, so all-encompassing, as it does not only has environmental consequences, but also serious social, economic and even security implications, hence the call for a collective work as the actions of individuals can’t make a dent in it.
“We want to develop a guiding action plan of Abia State on climate change to involve all. We want to bring in experts from every aspect that affects climate change”, Ogbonna said, just as he disclosed that Abia State is currently ranking eighth (8th) in climate change governance administrative structure among the states in the Federation.
Ogbonna who described the summit as the first climate change stakeholder engagement in the history of Abia State, further disclosed that the Ministry has a functional Department of Climate Change, which was established at the tail end of the year 2023.
“Prior to the present administration, nothing was heard about climate change in Abia State, from 2017 to May, 2023. It was not domesticated, though it was recognized globally. When the present administration observed that, we had to establish a climate change department and Abia has been actively involved in climate change issues”, Ogbonna further disclosed.
