The Abia state ministry of environment in conjunction with the Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project (NEWMAP), Abia state on Tuesday held a climate change summit, in commemoration of 2021 World Environment Day.

PHOTO: Participants of the summit

The global event was marked in the state at the women development center, Umuahia, Abia state.

During the opening speech of the permanent secretary, ministry of Environment, represented by the Director of Forestry,, John Ikpegbu, he
reminded that the “World
Environment Day” is celebrated every June 5, 2021. He also emphasized that Abia shouldn’t be left out of the celebration.

PHOTO: John Ikpegbu

The event was themed: “Ecosystem restoration.”

Ikpegbu also reminded on the need of celebrating the world environment day which he noted signifies that humans are not alone in the environment and it is also to create awareness.

In his words: “the essence of this program is to address issues that concerns sustainable development goals which also centres on our welfare and that of the environment. It has to do with sharing experiences, look at the challenges of the future and to proffer solution to some of these challenges.

The event was also geared towards reversing the loss of degraded natural ecosystem and to fight the impact of climate change.

During the event, the project coordinator, of Abia NEWMAP , Engr. Izuchukwu Onwughara gave a presentation titled : “Restoring the Ecosystem Through Climate Change Actions”.

PHOTO: Engr. Izuchukwu Onwughara (project coordinator, Abia NEWMAP)

In the presentation, Engr. Izuchukwu highlighted
various approach of tackling erosion as it affects Abia state.

Various location where NEWMAP projects are sited, which is also said to be completed are in Abia state were given as, Amuda Achara gully erosion site, Umuda/ Amafor Isingwu/ Umuagu erosion site. Amuzukwu gully erosion site, Amuzukwu Gully Erosion site and Umuezeukwu gully complex.

At the peak of the event, Engr. Izuchukwu handed over 1000 receptacles to the general manager of Abia state Environmental Protection Agency (ASEPA), Eze Okwulehi.

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PHOTO: Donated Receptacles by Abia NEWMAP

Engr. Izuchukwu hinted that the donation of the receptacles is a contribution from Abia NEWMAP under the special climate fund which was revealed to be a grant from the world bank.

In his words while addressing newsmen, Engr. Izuchukwu said, “the receptacles were handed to the government of Abia state through ASEPA so that they can be distributed in government, government offices and other necessary places for the collection of solid waste within the state.”

Speaking in appreciation of the donated spectacles, the general manager of Abia ASEPA, Eze Okwulehi said “this is a welcomed development and I so much appreciate the management of NEWMAP on the quality of jobs they carry out in the state. We are going to distribute it evenly.”

Eze also discouraged any human activity that will degrade the environment, such as burning of tyres and indiscriminate disposal of refuse.

Also during the event, panelists were on sit to discuss issues of climate change which gave rise to a communique at the end of the deliberations and was presented by the police public relation officer, Egwu Chukwu Janet of the police force headquarters in Umuahia.

The communique reads :

COMMUNIQUE PRESENTED AFTER A SUMMIT BY NEWMAP ON ECO- SYSTEM RESTORATION

-TOPIC: ECO -SYSTEM RESTORATION AS THE THEME OF 2021 WORLD ENVIRONMENTAL DAY COMMEMORATION

  • THE ABIA STATE GOVERNMENT THROUGH NEWMAP HELD A SUMMIT ON CLIMATE CHANGE AT WOMEN DEVELOPMENT CENTRE , UMUAHIA, ABIA STATE ON TUESDAY, 8TH JUNE,2021.

-THE SUMMIT STILL SUSTAINS THE GLOBAL THEME OF ECO- SYSTEM RESTORATION.

  • THE SUMMIT ACKNOWLEDGED AND COMMENDED THE GOVERNOR OF ABIA STATE – HIS EXCELLENCY GOVERNOR VICTOR OKEZIE IKPEAZU P.hD, FOR BEING SENSITIVE AND ALERT ON GLOBAL ISSUES OF ENVIRONMENTAL DEGRADATION AND ECO- SYSTEM CHANGES
  • THE SUMMIT ALSO COMMENDED THE ABIA STATE GOVERNMENT FOR HAVING THE POLITICAL WILL TO KEY INTO THE NATIONAL PROGRAM PROVIDED BY NEWMAP
  • THE SUMMIT ALSO COMMENDED NEWMAP ABIA STATE FOR BEING EFFICIENT, EFFECTIVE AND DELIVERING QUALITY SERVICE TO THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE WITH A GREAT SENSE OF BALANCE AND FAIRNESS TO ALL PARTS OF THE STATE (LGAs)
  • THE PANELISTS WERE UNANIMOUS THAT THE ECO SYSTEM HAS COLLAPSED WITH SERIOUS EROSION AND CLIMATE DEGRADATION. THEY THEREFORE RECOMMENDED SUSTAINANCE OF PRO-ACTIVE MEASURES AND INTERVENTIONS TO RESTORE THE ECO SYSTEM
  • THE SUMMIT CALLED ON COMMUNITIES TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE SERVICE PROVIDED BY THE GOVERNMENT, THROUGH NEWMAP, TO CONSTANTLY REPORT SOIL EROSION, FLOODING AND OTHER ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS TO 0800Abianewmap; www.Abianewmap.com.ng and EMAIL – Info@abianewmap.com.ng
  • THE PEOPLE ARE CALLED TO CULTIVATE THE HABIT OF PLANTING TREES, AVOID CUTTING TREES, AVOID BUILDING ON WATER WAYS AND AVOID UNNECESSARY BUSH BURNING
  • SPECTRUM OF MINISTRIES, DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES ( MDAs), PUBLIC RELATIONS, GOVERNMENT FUNCTIONARIES, MEMBERS OF THE PRESS, SCHOOLS ATTENDED THE PROGRAM
  • THE SUMMIT CALLED FOR TRANSFORMING OF NEWMAP TO AN AGENCY TO CONTINUE ITS WORK.
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-RECOMMENDED EFFECTIVE ENFORCEMENT OF ABIA STATE ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS

-ENCOURAGED REACTIVATION OF EXISTING PLANTING LAW IN THE STATE

THE SUMMIT ACKNOWLEGDED NEWMAP FOR ORGANISING THE SUMMIT.

1 ABARANDU ODENIGWU- REPRESENTATIVE FROM STATE
PLANNING COMMISSION – ADOPTED THAT THE COMMUNIQUE SHOULD BE A WORKING DOCUMENT.

2 MRS ABASI AMA UDOFIA -SUPPORTED THAT THE COMMUNIQUE SHOULD BE A WORKING DOCUMENT AND IT WAS SUPPORTED BY MRS ABASI AMA UDOFIA FROM THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT.

COMMUNIQUE TEAM

E- SIGNED BY

1) NZE OKPANI NKAMA (Jnr) – FRCN, UMUAHIA

2) AGHA ONYEONORU NICK – ABSAA, UMUAHIA

3). EGWU CHUKWU JANET – NPF, ZONE 9 UMUAHIA.

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