Climate Change is Real, Says Gov Sani-Bello
…Speaks on Niger Govt Proactive Measures
Niger State Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani-Bello has said that climate change is real noting that concrete steps should be taken to protect and preserve the environment.
Governor Sani-Bello stated this while speaking with journalists in Poland during the just concluded Climate Change Conference.
The Governor who was part of the entourage of President Muhammadu Buhari to the Summit said a lot was learnt with regards to climate change and such learnt lessons would be used to improve on steps
already taken towards environmental sustainability for the future in Niger state.
While citing example of Niger state, the Governor noted that there was clear indication of impact of climate change in the state which has resulted in increased perennial flooding, desertification, erosion
and drying of river Niger and Kaduna.
“Climate change is real. Flying over Niger state one can clearly see desert encroachment. Niger used to be green with rivers flowing all year round, but these days we experience heavy flood during raining
season, yet during dry season the rivers dry up. Even River Niger is being threatened by climate change “
Governor Sani-Bello who said a lot was learnt from the Climate Change Conference in Poland revealed that proactive measures has been taken by the administration to ensure environmental sustainability through banning of tree- falling, indiscriminate burning of bush and forest.
“We have introduced strong measures in protecting the environment in the state. There is a task force under Ministry of Environment to check falling of trees and indiscriminate burning of forest”
“At the moment, the administration has introduced tree planting to reduce negative impact of human activities on the environment such desert encroachment and flood. ”
Since the inception the Governor Sani-Bello administration in 2015, concrete steps have been taken towards protecting and preserving the environment in the state through advocacy, sensitization, support to the Ministry of Environment as well as other strategic partners and
stakeholders such Federal Ministry of Environment and the premier environmental society, Nigerian Environmental Society, NES.
Also of note is the involvement of Niger state with World Council on City Data, WCCD, with headquarters in Toronto. As a result of the engagement with WCCD and adoption ISO 37120 Minna was selected as one of the two data hubs in Africa and among nine in the world.
In addition, there has been direct effort by the Governor to create urban beautification and environmental conservation within urban areas in the state. There is also a partnership with Un-habitat to assist the state government in preparing and implementing the Suleja Smart City Project.
