Taiwo Ajayi
The Benue State Government has pledged its support for the “Enabling Resilience to Climate Change Related Risks (ER2CC) project” being implemented by a Christian Vocational Training Center (CVTC).
The pledge was made by Water Resources, Environment, and Climate Change Commissioner Odoh Ugwu on Tuesday when he met with a delegation from Elim CVTC on an advocacy visit.
Ugwu said the world is taking climate change seriously, and Benue cannot lag behind. He was impressed with Elim CVTC’s work in the state and assured the delegation that the Ministry would support their projects.
“The effects of climate change are devastating, and our people need to be informed,” Ugwu said. “I will meet with my staff to develop a plan to implement the National Climate Change Policy (NCCP) in Benue.”
Earlier, Elim CVTC Programme Manager Emmanuel Egbodo lamented that climate change is causing disasters, conflicts, overpopulation, deforestation, and pollution in Benue.
He said the ER2CC project, which is funded by the European Union and Christian Blind Mission, aims to “Capacitate persons with disabilities and their organizations to participate in climate change policy processes”
“Build the capacity of civil society organizations to mitigate the economic and social impacts of climate change.
“Domesticate and adopt the NCCP in Benue.
“Implement the domesticated policy.
“Integrate climate change mitigation measures into relevant state government agencies.
Support the coordination of civil society organizations.”
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Egbodo said, “The project has already begun in four communities in Konshisha and Gwer West Local Government Areas, where the foundation has planted 3,000 economic trees.”
“We are grateful to the Commissioner for meeting with us at short notice,” Egbodo said. “We pray that he will be remembered for domesticating and adopting the NCCP, to the relief of all those affected by climate change.”
The Benue Government’s pledge of support for the ER2CC project is a welcome development. It shows that the state is committed to addressing the challenges of climate change and building a more resilient future for its people.
