The Minister of Regional Development Engr. Abubakar Momoh has identified strategic partnerships as key to regional development in the country.
The Minister dropped the hint Monday in his office in Abuja, while hosting a Consortium of Key Stakeholders on the Impact of Climate Change in West Africa and Nigeria, led by the ‘Academic Associates Peace Works’ (AAPW).
While responding to a presentation made by the larder of the team Air Commodore Darlington Abdullahi (Rtd), Momoh thanked the organization for sharing its policy brief with the ministry.
He noted the devastating effects of climate change on the coastal communities in the Niger Delta region and how these impacted the region’s social, economic, and environmental dynamics, leading to incessant communal clashes and increased youth’s criminality in the region.
Momoh recalled that recently, his ministry in collaboration with the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) had constructed some high embankment to check the menace of flooding occasioned by rising water level, and open-up some water channels to improve inter-communal communication and bring about increased economic activities.
The minister enjoined the organization to partner with the relevant development commission to address the climate, environmental and other challenges outlined in their Brief, pointing out that the resources for addressing the regions’ developmental challenges are domiciled with the commissions; adding that “the role of his ministry is strictly supervisory”.
The Minister however, advised the organization to include in its recommendations, ways and means to explore the huge potentials in the carbon market, how to access ‘Climate Finance’, how to tap into ‘Green Economy’ probably by way of engaging in ‘shrimp business’; and other similar business areas that can potentially engage the people and reduce restiveness among the youths.
Earlier in his presentation, the team leader Air Commodore Darlington Abdullahi (rtd), who was accompanied by, amongst others, the National Woman Leader of Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), Dr. Princess Peters revealed that the brief being presented touched on recommendations on climate change, which are aimed at enhancing interventions by various ministries, departments, and agencies.
He explained that the recommendations are based on a three-year project carried out on the theme “Coping with Climate Change as a Cause of Conflict in Coastal Communities of West African” (C7 WA), by a consortium of four partners with sponsorship by the European Union (EU) – the Italian Shipping Academy Foundation (FAIMM), Academic Associates Peace Works (AAPW), Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF), and West African Network for Peace building (WANEP).
Air Commodore Darlington Abdullahi (rtd) revealed the existential threat climate change has continue to pose on the global system, “evident by the growing crisis across the world, the Sahel Region, and Northern Nigeria through desertification and in the South-South through seasonal flooding”. These he said are the cause of persistent violent conflicts witnessed across the country due to its impacts on lives, means of livelihood, property, and the environment.
Abdullahi called for quick intervention measures to be put in place “with a view to saving lives and property, enhance peace and security and create the right environment for sustainable development,” most especially in the Niger Delta.
Academic Associates Peace Works is a Nigerian non-governmental organization founded in 1992 with over three decades of experience in peace building and governance, having worked extensively in Nigeria and Ghana.
The organization has 26 years of direct engagement in the Niger Delta, amassing significant local knowledge and expertise in the region’s social, economic, and environmental dynamics in the process.
While delivering the vote of thanks on behalf of Chief Dr. Judith Burdin Asuni, AAPW Senior Communications Officer Success Nwanedo, expressed gratitude to the minister for his support.
The AAPW is one of the organizations pioneering the “Coping with Climate Change as a Cause of Conflict in Coastal Communities of West Africa (C7-WA)” initiative, addressing the intertwined challenges of climate change and conflicts in vulnerable coastal regions.
The C7-WA is designed to empower West African coastal communities through developing innovative, conflict-sensitive tools for climate change adaptation. It implements measures to prevent environmental crimes that exacerbate the effects of climate change and establish robust mechanisms to monitor climate change as a driver of conflict, thereby reducing vulnerabilities and fostering sustainable development.
Signed:
Abdulrashid Y. Safana
Head, Information, and PR.
