Experts Urged To Address Hazards Caused By Climate Change

Experts in the Technical Committee on the review and update of National Erosion and Flood Control Policy have been urged to come up with adequate strategies to address hazards posed by climate change in Nigeria.

Permanent Secretary Federal Ministry of Environment, Mr Mahmud Kambari stated this at “Technical Committee on the review and update of National Erosion and Flood Control Policy” meeting held in Abuja the nation’s capital.

He said the benefit of having the policy reviewed and updated for the nation is quite immense, apart from the reduction of loss and damages due to erosion and flooding.

“The capacity of Government organs to respond to these concerns would be enhanced, i want to assure you that the Ministry reposes great confidence in this pool of Experts to give the nation superlative results, it is therefore my pleasure to declare this Technical Committee meeting open and wish you fruitful deliberations,” he spoke.

According to him, “The Federal Ministry of Environment in its bid to address the twin issues of erosion and flood developed the National Erosion and Flood Control Policy (NEFCOP) in 2005. The document was, approved by the Federal Executive Council and launched by President Olusegun Obasanjo.”

The Director Erosion Flood and Coastal Zone Management Department, Federal Ministry of Environment. Mr Etigbue Dilichukwu said the revisiting and mainstreaming relevant policies into Nigeria’s national adaptation plan is of utmost importance.

Mr Dilichukwu, noted that the potential benefits of having a comprehensive and up-to-date policy in this area are enormous, not only in reducing loss and damages but also enhancing the country’s institutional framework and capacity to effectively respond to environmental concerns.

“On behalf of the Ministry, extend our gratitude to our Partners and Collaborators for their unwavering support in tackling environmental challenges, with your continued collaboration as we strive to drive the implementation of a robust NEFCOP that will effectively address current and future challenges related to erosion and flooding,”he stated.

He however, called for an open exchange of ideas and perspectives to work towards a stronger and more environmental resilient Nigeria.

The National Project Coordinator ACreSAL, Mr Abdulhamid Umar said the project is working to permanently end the issues of flooding in Nigeria.

“Issues surrounding flood control and coastal challenges in this country are very, central to reasons why the world bank hasn’t found it necessary, to intervene by making very handsome amount delegated to the implementation of this project,” he said.

He further said that the ACreSAL project will support the implementation of all the policies that would be reached at the technical session.

Mr Umar further stressed that the government must ensure compliance and penalties for people who illegally destroyed structures and infrastructures that are supposed to help in controlling flood hazards.

The National Erosion and Flood Control Policy and its associated documents (National Erosion and Flood Control Action Plan and the Technical Guidelines) was developed by the Ministry, approved and adopted by both FEC and NEC in 2005. It would address the widespread hazards of erosion and flood which had led to devastating loss of lives, properties, productive agricultural lands, pollution of water resources and sedimentation of rivers.

It was there after launched by Former President Chief Olusegun Obansanjo GCFR.

Oyenike Oyeniyi