Ms Gloria Bulus, an environmentalist, on Saturday urged the Kaduna State Government to develop a climate change policy and implementation plan to address climate change related issues in the state.
Bulus, Executive Director, ‘Bridge that Gap Initiative’ and Coordinator, Network of Civil Society in Environment, made the call while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kaduna.
Reacting to Nigeria’s independence, the environmentalist called on the state government to strengthen enabling policies and institutions to deal with climate change.
She stressed that Kaduna state must have a clear roadmap for climate change mitigation, saying “successes can only be recorded and celebrated when there are deliberate and proactive climate actions”.
She said that the impact of climate change was visible with the recurring flood across some states and inconsistency in annual rainfall, with 2022 experiencing consistent heavy rains.
She advised the state government to work in collaboration with communities, to develop action plans on adaptation and mitigation while strengthening early warning systems in communities.
According to her, the resultant effect of climate related disaster is loss of lives and properties, including farmlands and livelihoods resulting in increased poverty among others.
“As we celebrate Nigeria at 62, there is a need for the Kaduna State Government to strengthen the environment sector to effectively address climate change and other environmental concerns.
“Communities need to be supported with programmes on climate adaptation and mitigation.
“The state government should consider social protection interventions for those affected by the negative impacts of climate, including loss and damage compensation for victims.
“Women should also be considered and supported with interventions that will help them deal with the consequences of climate change.”