The International Alert, a global non-governmental organisation, has inaugurated a Climate Project Steering Committee in Benue State, to tackle climate-induced conflicts and promote peace through community dialogue.
Supported by the Irish Government, the committee aims to address the challenges of climate stress and conflicts by providing oversight and strategic guidance for implementing the Powering Peace through Climate Action project.
A Senior Project Officer at International Alert in Benue State, Mr. Kengkeng Ati, in his address to the State Steering Committee, urged them to diligently tackle the dual challenges of climate stress and conflicts across the state.
He charged the committee to provide oversight, strategic guidance, and recommendations for implementing the Powering Peace through Climate Action project.
“We are not simply urging communities to cease hostilities; we are investing in climate-smart solutions that offer livelihood options and alleviate tensions,” Mr. Ati emphasised.
Highlighting the climate challenges faced by Benue State, the Project Officer mentioned issues such as reduced rainfall, drying water sources, declining soil fertility, and abnormal weather patterns as indicators.
He underlined the urgent need to address these issues to prevent further disputes over land and resources.
Meanwhile, as part of measures to mitigate tensions, climate hubs have been set up in Fiidi and Agatu, offering services like weather monitoring, biogas production, briquette-making, fish drying, and solar-powered water supply.
This is in addition to fish ponds in the Fiidi Community in Makurdi and Agatu, which are being revitalised to enhance food security and income.
The project, which is being implemented in collaboration with the Benue State Council on Climate Change, aims to empower local communities and ensure the sustainability of climate hubs beyond the project’s one-year duration.
The inaugurated multi-stakeholder Steering Committee includes representatives from government ministries, parastatals, departments, agencies, and the private sector.
The Senior Project Officer highlighted the project’s objectives, which include raising awareness about climate change, developing local peace and adaptation plans, influencing government policies and funding, and providing sustainable livelihoods to reduce conflict triggers.
He encouraged Benue communities to embrace new technologies and transition from conflict-prone systems to a more prosperous future.
Earlier, in a presentation titled “Powering Peace Through Climate Action Project Phase II,” Mr. Ati shared insights from the project’s initial phase, which he confirmed had successfully united communities and resolved resource-related conflicts through a climate-conflict analysis.
He said the project’s second phase would focus more on sustaining conflict sensitivity and climate adaptation efforts to engage diverse stakeholders.
This is even as he emphasised the importance of collaboration among international stakeholders, government bodies, INGOs, and community groups to harness climate adaptation for stakeholder empowerment.
The Chairman of the Steering Committee, who is also the Director General of the SDGs Office in Benue State, Sir John Akuse, pledged on behalf of the Project Steering Committee to provide unwavering dedication and top-tier support to the project team.
Other members, such as Dr. Dan Mailumo, the Director General of Benue State Council on Climate Change, and Mrs. Josephine Habba, the Director General of Benue State Commission for Peace and Conflict, alongside other representatives from pertinent organisations, expressed their full support for the project and affirmed their commitment to achieving the goals set by the Project Steering Committee.
The International Alert was established in 1986, with a mission to foster dialogue, research, advocacy, and outreach activities promoting peace and sustainable development.