By Nneka Nwogwugwu
The President of the Rivers State Network of Non-Governmental Organisations (RINNGOS), Dr. Mina Ogbanga has commended the appointment of Dr Salisu Dahiru as the pioneer Director-General of the National Council on Climate Change.
NatureNews recalls that President Muhammadu Buhari announced the approval of Dr Dahiru’s appointment through a press release by the Federal Ministry of Environment. His appointment took effect from July 25th, 2022.
Speaking to Dr. Ogbanga on Monday, she said that the appointment of the DG is a welcome development as it renews the determination of the government to support strategic climate action.
Dr. Ogbanga, who is also the Country Head for the Centre for Development Support Initiatives (CEDSI) affirmed that a lot will now be expected from the DG in the execution of this task.
She said, “As CSOs, we are rest assured that the Climate Change Act explicitly highlights clear steps to take towards institutionalising the Climate Change movement.
“So we are positive that with all hands on deck, this won’t be another white elephant project.”
She recalled that the Centre for Development Support Initiatives joined over 60 civil society organsations (CSOs) in Nigeria to sign a petition, urging President Muhammadu Buhari, Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, and the Minister of Environment, Mohammed Abdullahi, to urgently implement the Climate Change Act.
She said CEDSI had to sign the petition because of the expectation that the implementation of the Act will help to motivate climate action at the subnational level especially in the Niger Delta where climate action is seriously lagging.
Noting the importance of the Act, she said the Climate Act establishes Zonal Climate Coordinators for the six political zones in the country. The Climate Act also establishes the office of State Directors for each state of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The plan obliviously is that the zonal coordinators and the state directors will work with those at the Federal level to promote climate action at the grassroots level.
Speaking on the Rivers State Climate Change Gender Bill which is awaiting approval by the state governor to become a law, Dr. Ogbanga informed that CEDSI is continuing in its effort to work with other partners to push for the domestication of the climate act in Rivers state.
“We are working hard to engage the three arms of the River State Government in fighting climate change. We hope that the recent petition sent by to the President will result in quick action on the Act.”