OXFAM calls for state action plan to tackle climate change
From Jethro Yerga
The African Activist for Climate Justice (AACJ) and OXFAM has called on the attention of African governments to provide a state action plan that can help tackle the effects of climate change on the environment and people in the various states
The Project Coordinator of the African Activist for Climate Justice in Nigeria, Mr. Kenneth Akpan made this call during a three days training on climate change, governance, finance and accountability for government officials, civil society organization and the media in Jalingo, the Taraba State capital.
He stated that African government lack understanding of how climate change is disproportionately affecting citizens who are already faced with many challenges and injustice especially as concern women, youths and local communities such as indigenous communities and the urban poor.
Mr. Kenneth encouraged government officials, CSOs, and the media to be fully involved in promoting the campaign against the effects of climate change in the state through open legislative, budgeting and open government partnership.
He frowned at the irony of situation where Climate change is seen as a topic that could be dealt with later.
“Governments are looking at climate change as if it is not yet a policy priority because other crisis demand attention, but it’s growing impact on the African Continent is contributing to food insecurity, land degradation, population displacement and stress on water resources”. He added
The PROSELL/ OXFAM, Governance and Influencing Coordinator, Mr. Daniel, emphasized gender sensitivity on climate change mostly on women and the health implications of climate change of citizens which is already visible in the floods eroding homes in the state
Also speaking, the lead resource persons, Dr. Vincent Ojeh and Shuaibu Kobi lead stressed the need for government to take immediate action by assigning roles and responsibilities to key stakeholders to aid implementation of strategies and budgetary allocation to curb the effects of climate change in the state.
