It’s Possible to Mitigate Climate Change Impact, Says Gov Oborevwori

Sylvester Idowu in Warri

Delta State Governor, Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, has called for improved capacity building to mitigate the impact of the climate change in the country.

Oborevwori made the call, Tuesday, in Warri, during the launch of the “Network Launch of Advancing Community Capacity to Mitigate Climate Change Impacts and Develop Green and Blue Economy in the Niger Delta”.

“Advancing Community Capacity to Mitigate Climate Change Impacts and Develop Green and Blue Economy in the Niger Delta” was to address the challenges facing by the region, known for its biodiversity and natural resources but also vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change and sustainable development practices.

The project is being funded by the Danish government, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark and the Danish Embassy in Nigeria and implemented by Academic Associates PeaceWorks (AAPW) a Non-governmental Organization (NGO) which has been working in the Niger Delta for over 30 years.

While inaugurating the project network, Governor Oborevwori, who was represented by his Chief Economic Adviser, Dr. Barry Gbe, said that climate change was an unavoidable risk stressing that the citizens should endeavor to mitigate in view of its global consequences.

According to him, “The risk avoidance in climate change is impossible but the risk mitigation is possible. When you are faced with realities, you tackle it headlong. A gathering like this where the focus is to educate, improve the skill of the citizenry or local communities is very important.

“We are faced with the realities of climate change; we must build capacity on how everyone can be knowledgeable enough to mitigate the impact of climate change in the society.”

The Danish Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Sune Krogstrup, said that the inaugurated network would empower and create opportunities in the Niger Delta region.

Krogstrup, who spoke through visual, added that the network would enhance feasibility of the Niger Delta protection for sustainable development and urged stakeholders, including international bodies to support the network to enable them to maximise its impacts and reach in the Niger Delta.

He noted that the green and blue economy network introduces innovative sustainable economic practices that were environmentally friendly and economically beneficial to the Niger Delta.

The ambassador explained that the project network builds local capacities to manage natural resources effectively adding that it enhances skills and shares knowledge as well as fosters sustainability.

“It is our hope that the network will empower local economies, create job opportunities and foster environment conducive to sustainable business ventures. The network is set to enhance visibility of the Niger Delta’s potential for sustainable development and will also serve as an example for other regions”, he added.

 Krogstrup urged the governments to provide all the supports and assistance this project needs, adding “It is a privilege for me and the Denmark government to be working with the AAPW to foster peace, security and stability in the Niger Delta region”.

Project Director of AAPW, Mr. Menidin Isu, explained that the Network would offer sustainable growth and green and blue economy initiatives that could combat climate change.

He said that the project was funded by the Embassy of Denmark in Nigeria adding that the two-year project is being implemented by the AAPW.

According to him, In the next two years, the Network will carry out several important activities including enhancing community capacity to mitigate climate change impacts in the Niger Delta.

“…Developing green and blue economy initiatives in Delta, capacity building for communities, policies formulations and advocacies,” he said.

Isu said that the Network comprised 23 members drawn from different strata of the society adding that they will work for the next two years.

“Our pilot communities are: two from Sapele Local Government Area and another two communities from Burutu Local Government Area both in Delta.

“We will have demonstration farms and at the end the project and the communities will have demonstration farms with special focus on green and blue economy,” he said.