Abia State Commissioner for Environment, Mr. Philemon Asonye Ogbonna, has stated that the government of Dr. Alex Chioma Otti, has taken practical measures towards tackling climate change.
Ogbonna, who made this disclosure while presenting a keynote address during a two-day workshop organised by the Ministry of Environment, in collaboration with the United Kingdom Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (UK FCDO-PACE) at Umuahia, Abia State, explained that Abia State, under the visionary leadership of Governor Alex Chioma Otti, has demonstrated commitment to environmental sustainability through deliberate policies, programmes and practical interventions towards tackling climate change.
According to a press release by the Public Relations Officer of the Ministry of Environment, Obioma Chidinma Success, Abia State had embarked on sustainable waste management initiatives to address waste generation and green house gas emissions, while also implementing more than 14 erosion and climate adaption projects across the State.
The Commissioner further revealed that the State Government had committed the sum of ₦1 billion as counterpart funding to re-energise the climate adaptation activities of the Abia State Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project (ABIA-NEWMAP).
According to him, the implementation of NDC 3.0 presents Abia State with an opportunity to accelerate sustainable development and industrialisation, promote green job creation, attract climate finance and strengthen the capacity of communities to adapt to the growing challenges of climate change.
He noted that the framework would also help position the State to mobilise resources, strengthen institutional collaboration and integrate climate considerations into its long-term development agenda, including the proposed 25-year development plan.
The Commissioner therefore called on participants, particularly MDAs and LGAs, to see climate action as a collective responsibility requiring coordinated planning, effective implementation, accountability and sustained commitment.
In his presentation, the National Team Lead of FCDO-PACE, Mr. Ifeanyi Peters Ugwuoke, emphasised the importance of translating Nigeria’s NDC 3.0 commitments into practical actions at the state and local government levels.
He explained that NDC 3.0 provides an opportunity for subnational governments to take ownership of climate action by identifying priority sectors, strengthening institutional capacity and developing projects that can attract sustainable financing.
Ugwuoke noted that climate change should not be viewed solely as an environmental challenge but also as an opportunity to stimulate economic growth, encourage innovation, create employment and attract both public and private-sector investments.
He stressed the need for effective coordination among government institutions, development partners, the private sector and other relevant stakeholders to ensure that climate commitments produce measurable results.
He further encouraged participants to identify bankable climate projects, integrate climate considerations into their respective institutional plans and budgets, and develop strategies that would support Abia State’s transition towards a resilient, low-carbon and green economy.
