Benue State Government says it will support any effort at mitigating negative effects of climate change on the environment in the state.
Commissioner for Water Resources, Environment and Climate Change Hon. Ugwu Odoh gave the indication recently when a delegation from Elim Christian Vocational Training Center paid him an advocacy visit as part of process for the domestication of National Climate Change Policy in Benue State in his office.
According to the commissioner, climate change was what the entire world was suffering from and commended Elim for the initiative. He assured them that the ministry will do whatever it can on its part to support the initiative.
Hon. Odoh who said he was impressed with what Elim CVTC was doing in the state to mitigate the negative impact of climate change, also promised that the ministry will liaise with Elim CVTC and other stakeholders to come out with a blueprint that will help drive the policy when it is finally domesticated.
Earlier, the Elim CVTC programme manager, Mr. Emmanuel Egbodo while commending the commissioner for granting them audience even at a short notice, said they were in his office to intimate him on some of their activities in the state.
Mr. Egbodo lamented that climate change was causing disasters and conflicts in Benue State leading to overpopulation in cities, deforestation and environmental pollution.
He maintained that part of CBM’s mission in the state was to ensure that persons with disabilities and their representing organisations are given enablement to be actively involved in the climate change related policy process and build capacity of civil society organisations.
Mr. Egbodo told the commissioner that Elim CVTC has long commenced in four communities in Konshisha and four in Gwer west Local Government Areas while 3, 000 economic trees have been procured for planting to improve climate conditions in the target communities.
State coordinator for ER2CC project, Mrs. Rachel Dzever said the project seeks to support domestication and adoption of the NCCP in Benue State, implementation of the domesticated policy and integration of climate change mitigation measures in relevant MDAs in the state and support for CSOs.
