The Governor of Delta State, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori has restated his commitment to partner with the federal government in ensuring the sustainability and preservation of the state’s mangrove ecosystem.
The Governor stated this when he received the Presidential Envoy and Managing Director of the National Council on Climate Change Secretariat, Dr Nkiruka Maduakwe who visited him in his office at Government House, Asaba.
Oborevwori, who was represented by his Deputy, Sir Monday Onyeme, FCA, said his administration had already taken steps to preserve the mangrove ecosystem in order to derive maximum benefits as it had signed an agreement with Serendip Nigeria Limited, aimed at maintaining the ecosystem to encourage agricultural practices and to protect the environment.
He said the partnership with the federal government would hasten its plans to achieve desired results in the preservation of the mangrove ecosystem in order to make it an economically viable environment.
The governor appealed to the federal government to give a “no objection letter” to the state’s climate project in order not to put the efforts of the state government in addressing issues of climate change into jeopardy.
He noted that the collaboration with the federal government through the National Council on Climate Change Secretariat would make the environment safer by restoring and protecting the mangrove to enhance resilience and increase biodiversity in line with global best practices.
Oborevwori said the efforts of the state and federal government would reduce carbon emissions and help to reduce the adverse effects of climate change.
Earlier, the Presidential Envoy and Managing Director, National Council on Climate Change Secretariat, Dr Nkiruka Maduakwe said Nigeria had one of the largest mangroves in the world and there was the need to preserve it as they can provide coastal resilience.
She said the theme of this year’s climate change action was “Amplifying Nature Based Climate Solutions,” adding that mangrove could reduce vulnerability to ocean surge and highlighted the Climate Change Act.
Dr Maduakwe urged states to domesticate the Climate change Act for inclusivity.
Present at the visit was the Commissioner for Environment, Mr. Ejiro Jamani, the Deputy Chief of Staff, Sir Christopher Osakwe, Executive Assistant,Political, Mr. Ngbabego and other top government functionaries.
