Abia Finalizes Climate Change Policy, Targets Global Climate Funding and Stronger Environmental Protection

ABIA – The Abia State Government says it has concluded work on its Climate Change Policy, a landmark initiative expected to position the state to access international climate financing while strengthening efforts to tackle environmental challenges.

The Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, disclosed this while briefing journalists on the outcome of this week’s State Executive Council meeting presided over by Governor Alex Otti. He said the policy document is awaiting the Governor’s approval before becoming operational.

According to Prince Kanu, the policy will provide a comprehensive framework for addressing climate-related challenges and position Abia to benefit from international climate funding opportunities.

He explained that the implementation of the policy would help tackle environmental challenges such as flooding, gully erosion, heat waves, climate-related health concerns and declining food security, while promoting sustainable development across the state.

The Information Commissioner also announced that Governor Alex Otti has directed the Ministry of Environment to immediately commence mitigation measures at the Amamba Uzuakoli erosion site in Bende Local Government Area and the Ipupe Ubakala flood site in Umuahia South Local Government Area to prevent further environmental degradation.

He revealed that the Commissioner for Environment, Mr Philemon Ogbonna, alongside a team of engineers, has already conducted on-the-spot assessments of the affected sites, adding that preparations are underway to commence intervention works aimed at reclaiming lost land and protecting lives and property.

Speaking on environmental sanitation, Prince Kanu said the Ministry of Environment has recorded remarkable progress through its sustained house-to-house sanitary inspection programme across the 17 Local Government Areas of the state during the period under review.

He disclosed that environmental health officials visited 103 villages for health education, public sensitization and sanitary inspections, while approximately 9,000 premises were inspected for compliance with environmental health standards.

According to him, about 37,500 premises were served abatement notices for environmental health violations, while 2,500 premises complied with the directives during follow-up inspections.

Prince Kanu attributed the state’s improved environmental sanitation record to consistent enforcement by environmental health officials and the growing cooperation of residents with government initiatives aimed at maintaining a cleaner, safer and healthier environment.

The Commissioner for Health, Professor Ogbonnaya Uche, the Commissioner for Environment, Mr Philemon Ogbonna, and the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Publicity, Mr Ferdinand Ekeoma, were present at the briefing.