Critical stakeholders in Imo State have called on the state government to take proactive measures to tackle the negative effects of climate change on the socio-economic life and health of the people.
The call was made at the inception meeting of the newly inaugurated Imo State Climate Change Technical Committee held in Owerri.
The committee comprising experts in environment, public health, law, education, media, power and electrification, and climate change consultants, expressed worry over the lack of existing policy or legal framework governing climate change in the state.
The stakeholders also advocated for the domestication of the National Climate Change Act, 2019 and Energy Transition Plan, 2021 in the state to help mitigate the adverse effects of flooding, gully erosion, and other impacts of climate change.
Speaking at the meeting, the Director of Spaces for Change, Victoria Ibezim-Ohari, a United Kingdom-trained environmental expert, Dr Temple Oraeki, public health expert, Dr Obiora Elizabeth, and other committee members stressed the urgent need for energy and environmental justice, housing and urban governance in the state.
Ibezim-Ohari and the others disclosed that Imo State ranks 24th among the 36 states in the country with high effects of climate change, adding that many lives and economic values have been lost in the state in the past few years, owing to the environmental menace.
They insisted that formulating policy or law in the state would, among other benefits, help to regulate emissions, especially from gas flaring; address public health issues and promote sustainable practices that will ensure transmission to a low carbon economy.
Earlier, Senior Legal Officer, S4C, Mr Chetachi Udeh, said, “Imo State is particularly vulnerable, grappling with increasing climate threats such as flooding, erratic weather patterns and escalating farmer-herder conflicts driven by resource scarcity.
“Unlike other states such as Lagos, Delta and Rivers, which have established climate legal frameworks, Imo State currently lacks a comprehensive policy to address these challenges systematically. Such a framework will not only address current environmental challenges but also secure a sustainable and prosperous future for the people of Imo State.”
Among the committee members is the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Environment and Sanitation, Mr, Chukwuma Iheanach; architet environmentalist/Country Representative of World Climate School, Arc. Iron Uzochi; environment expert, Dr. Abiola Bashorun; and His Royal Highness Eze Clinton Uboegbulam, the traditional ruler of Umuororonjo community, Owerri Municipal.
Others are Prof. M. Obasi of the Faculty of Law, Imo State University, Owerri; medical laboratory scientist, Ms Agbakwuru Chinemerem community women leader, Mrs Chioma Anyanwu, and Programme Director, Alliances for Africa, Ms Blessing Duru.
