President and founder, Women Environmental Programme (WEP), Dr. Priscilla Achakpa has commended the Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia for his commitment in tackling Climate Change through the development of climate change policy that will protect the environment and effectively mitigate risks and adaptation to unavoidable impacts.
Dr Achakpa who is a Climate change expert disclosed this during the Stakeholders Consultation for Climate Change Strategies and Plan organized by the Benue State Government in conjunction with WEP in Makurdi the Benue State capital maintained that this commitment will put Benue on the centre stage to become a reference point on the issue of Climate change.
Recalled that the Benue State Government during the stakeholders consultation workshop inaugurated a Technical Working Committee to develop a climate change policy that will protect the environment and effectively mitigate risks and adaptation to help the State to mitigate risk and unavoidable impact of climate change.
Dr. Achakpa said, the impacts of climate change are being felt across Benue State with dire consequences on the agricultural sector posing threats to the people and state.
Also speaking the Director General, Benue State Council on Climate Change, Dr. Dan Mailumo lamented that the phenomenon of climate change is not just an environmental concern but an economic, social, and humanitarian crisis which demands collective attention and action to mitigate risks.
Dr. Mailumo who noted that the global issue requires local response in reducing risks, urged the stakeholders to come up with comprehensive and coordinated strategies in building resilience, mobilising resources as well as fostering collaboration to drive action in the state to ensure a sustainable future for generations to come.
While the Special Adviser to the Governor on Agriculture and Climate Change Prof. Bemgba Anjembe stated that climate change affects every facet of the society, with attendant consequences on all populations, hence the need for a roadmap of plans to guide collective efforts in adaptation in the years ahead.
In her remark, the acting Director, climate change, Ministry of Water Resources,Environment and Climate Change, Seember Ugboho was of the view that developing a climate change policy will go a long way in providing a guide for acceptable solutions.
“I want to commend the Benue State Government and all the stakeholders for commitment and step taking so far, because this will bring succour to the Benue citizens”
