Imo Govt Reaffirms Commitment To Climate-Resilient State

The Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma has reassured stakeholders holders in the state and experts in environmental sciences of the government’s readiness in transforming the state into a climate resilient state.

The governor who was represented by the state Commissioner for Power, Nwabueze Oguchienti made the reassurance during a public launch of a knowledge paper with the theme “Advancing Inclusive Climate Governance in Imo State, Transforming Challenges into Opportunities,” organised by Space for Change (S4C) in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment and Sanitation in the state, held in Owerri on Tuesday.

The governor commended the event organizers, emphasizing that inclusive climate governance entails involving all stakeholders – including government agencies, private sector representatives, farmers, traders, youth, traditional institutions, faith leaders, and civil society organizations. It signifies the importance of formulating policies not merely for the people, but in collaboration with them.

“My administration is committed to transforming Imo State into a climate-resilient and inclusive state.

“We are finalising the Imo State Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation Strategy, anchored on: Building institutional capacity; Enhancing climate finance accessibility; Supporting green entrepreneurship; and Promoting education and awareness on climate risks and solutions. We will not leave anyone behind in this quest.”

In her earlier remarks, Victoria Ibezim-Ohari, the Executive Director of Space for Change, emphasized the need for collaborative initiatives aimed at enhancing strategies that ensure a favorable and supportive environment, while also tackling the increasing challenges presented by climate change in Imo State.

She said,:“Located in the South-Eastern part of Nigeria, Imo State is vulnerable to the multifaceted impacts of climate change, which are threatening the ecosystems, economies, and livelihoods of millions of residents, particularly in rural communities.

“Increased incidents of flooding, erosion, acidic rains, warmer temperatures, heat waves, air pollution, diseases, biodiversity losses, etc., are not only on the rise but also disrupting agricultural productivity, reducing crop yields, destabilising energy systems, and contributing to humanitarian crises.

“If properly harnessed, Imo State’s huge natural gas deposits and renewable energy resources hold significant potential for mitigating the effects of climate change while safeguarding its natural ecosystems and improving the well-being of its citizens.”

Imo Govt Reaffirms Commitment To Climate-Resilient State is first published on The Whistler Newspaper