The Governor of Abia State, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti, has opined that man-made factors and activities are responsible for the depletion of the ozone layer and climate change affecting variations in recent weather conditions.
The governor, who was represented by his deputy, Engr. Ikechukwu Emetu, disclosed this while receiving in his office, at Government House, the Director General of the National Council on Climate Change Secretariat (NCCCS), Dr. Nkiruka Maduekwe, and her team, who were on a working visit.
Dr. Otti revealed that his government is interested in the restoration, conservation, and protection of the mangrove; hence, its plan to adopt the Ecuador cocoa practice, where cocoa is planted in the forest.
In his words, “The Abia government has a plan to establish six cocoa pilot estates, and we will not deplete the population of trees but will implement cocoa practice as it is in Ecuador, where cocoa is planted in the forest, thereby gaining carbon credit”.
He noted that his government plans to derive power through an off-grid solar system in no distant time to step away from fossil fuel and save the environment.
Dr. Otti commended NCCCS for the good work they are doing on climate change and noted that the availability of the Abia State Climate Change Investors Readiness document shows the state’s preparedness to work with the team and will harness any available opportunity.
Speaking earlier, the Commissioner for Environment, Mr. Philemon Ogbonna, who came with the team, revealed that the Director General of the Nigeria Climate Change Council (NCCCS), Dr. Nkiruka Maduekwe, and her team are in Abia State on a continuous assessment of the Niger Delta mangrove forest, and their mission is to specifically see how they can restore, conserve, and protect the mangrove forest.
The commissioner thanked the governor for giving them maximum support, stressing that since the inception of Governor Alex Otti’s administration, the state has made significant giant strides in climate change, as the state now ranks 8th position in climate change litigation issues in the country.
Also speaking, the Director General NCCCS, Dr Nkiru Maduekwe stated that their mission is to asses the mangrooves in Abia State, amplify nature based solutions to climate change,identify mangrooves for Nigeria to harness it with regards to carbon illustration and coastal resilience aimed at improving the livelihood of communities.
In her words, “We came to see for ourselves the need for assessment: What are the gaps? What should the federal government do to further support the state in ensuring the restoration, conservation, and protection of the mangroves?”.
She commended the Abia State Government for the strides they have made in addressing climate change and appealed to the State Government to adopt the Climate Change Act of 2021 and to have an Abia State climate law.
“It is important to have a legal framework that addresses climate change and what it embodies. The Abia investment readiness document fits into the climate change fund, and they are able to harness the climate finance, especially to the peculiarities of Abia State, in addition to other things contained in the act.”.
