The Abia State Commissioner for Environment, Mr. Philemon Asonye Ogbonna, on Tuesday, thanked the State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti for approving the establishment of Department of Climate Change in the Ministry.
According to a press release by the Ministry, Ogbonna gave the commendation during an interactive meeting with the 17 Local Government Area Mayors at the headquarters of the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.
The Commissioner, who also thanked the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs Sir Uzor Nwachukwu for facilitating the meeting, stated that there will be a vulnerability assessment impact on Climate change which will be undertaken in the 17 LGAs of the State. He said that Climate Change impact cannot be universal, adding that there was need to carry out assessment in all the Local Government Areas.
He said the objective was to develop a Climate Change Profile for the State, which will help to interact with intervention, and donor Agencies on Climate Change impact in various LGAs and for possible interventions.
He disclosed that the programme is slated to start on Monday 16th January, 2024, and pleaded with the Mayors to collaborate with the Ministry to make the programme a success.
The Environment boss emphasized the need to revive sanitary inspectors in the communities and urged the Mayors to work with the traditional rulers to ensure that clean environment is maintained in the localities.
The Commissioner pointed out that the present administration of Governor Alex Otti has zero tolerance for dirty environment and stressed the need for the Mayors to sensitize their people to participate in the monthly clean up exercise. He said that the clean up is not meant for Aba and Umuahia alone.
The Commissioner further disclosed that an enhanced Sanitation Court would be constituted in all the LGAs to try defaulters as well as generate money to the State.
He revealed that a reward system would be instituted to encourage Local Government Areas to participate actively, at all times, in the sanitation exercises.
Responding, the Mayor of Aba North, Ide John Udeagbala thanked the Commissioner for the meeting and promised, on behalf of the Mayors, to help the Ministry achieve its objectives.
