The Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti, OFR, has reiterated his administration's commitment to providing a safe, clean and healthy environment for all Abians.
The Governor stated this at Government House, Umuahia, when he received the Director General, Nigeria Climate Change Council Secretariat (NCCCS), Abuja, Dr. Nkeiruka Maduekwe and her team, who are on a working visit to Abia, disclosed that his administration plans to adopt the Ecuador Cocoa Practice System, wherein, cocoa estates are established in the forests.
Represented by his Deputy, Engr. Ikechukwu Lekwachi Emetu, FNSE, Otti disclosed that Abia State is set to establish six cocoa pilot estate farms in Abia forests. This he emphasized, will help grow the carbon credit of the state for a sustainable environment and friendly ecosystem. He expressed government's readiness to implement policies that will help protect the mangroves in the state and called for proper management of our forests by engaging in healthy agricultural activities.
The Governor revealed that his administration plans to derive power via off-grid solar system, thus, lessen dependence on fossil fuel, advance our carbon credit and save the environment from depletion.
The Abia State Chief Executive, hinted that the availability of the Abia State Climate Change Investors Readiness Document, x-rays government readiness to partner with the NCCCS and other agencies to harnessing any available opportunity. He commended Dr. Nkeiruka Maduekwe and her team for their commitment to supporting the state in reviewing it's climate change policy as well as implementing the climate change law.
Speaking earlier, the Honourable Commissioner for Environment, Mr. Philemon Ogbonna, revealed that the state is ranked 8th in the National Climate Change Mitigation Index and thanked the Governor for sponsoring the state in the global conference last year.
He stated that the team from NCCCS Abuja, led by Dr. Maduekwe are in Abia State to continue the assessment of the Niger Delta Mangrove Forest which aim to restore, conserve and protect the mangrove.
In her address, the Director General, NCCCS, Dr. Nkeiruka Maduekwe disclosed that their mission is to assess the mangroves in Abia State, amplify nature based solutions to climate change, identify mangroves to harnessing their carbon illustrations while improving the livelihood of communities.
She extoled Governor Otti for his giant strides in addressing climate change in the State and appealed to the State Government to adopt the national climate change act of 2021, and to establish Abia State Climate Change Law which the Abia State Investment Readiness Document fits into. She stated that the climate change fund if harnessed, will finance climate change peculiarities of the State. She thereafter, presented the National Climate Change Act to the Governor.
Present at the visit were; the SSA to the Governor on Environment, Professor Ijeoma Iheukwumere; SA to the Governor on Climate Change and Sustainability, Ester Ajah; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Mr. Ikechukwu Orieuwa, and Directors from NCCS Abuja and Abia State Ministry of Environment respectively.
Sir Cyril Chukwudi Eke Mba, KSJI
Chief Press Secretary To The Deputy Governor of Abia State
Government House, Umuahia
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