Conducive environment is a major driver of industrialisation - Udom

Governor Emmanuel Udom of Akwa Ibom State has said that his administration was targeting a conducive environment to achieve its goal of industrialising the state.
Udom made the disclosure in Lagos at the weekend at a media event to announce the forthcoming first Akwa Ibom State Climate Change and Clean Energy Mega Summit/Expo, 2016, billed to hold in Le’ Meridien Ibom Hotel and Resort, Uyo.
Represented by Samuel Bassey, Akwa-Ibom State special representative to the governor in Lagos; Udom said the summit would be first of its kind in the country.
Giving some background information on the state in relation to environmental hazards and the noticeable impacts of climate change in the state, Udom said: “As you all know, the state is seriously facing various forms of environmental degradation, basically due to our geographical location and other natural and human-induced factors. Climate change is already affecting various sectors of the state economy with serious biophysical and socio-economic impacts. Many local communities in the state are in the climate frontline struggling daily to adopt to the changing climate. Some coastal and riverine communities in the state are already relocating due to sea level rise and excessive flooding- In fact, climate change is the defining issues in the state.”
According to the governor, “It is a fact that a conducive environment is a major driver of industrialisation. It is on this note that the Ministry of Environment and Mineral Resources has been at the forefront of the fight against environmental degradation and other environmental issues capable of mitigating against the smooth implementation of the various people-oriented projects by the State government.
“So far, the struggle to protect, preserve and prepare our environment for the expected industrial revolution has been fairly won. This has been possible through the successful implementation of various environment- friendly policies. For instance, with the reintroduction of the monthly sanitation and proper waste management system, the state has recorded marked improvement in keeping our environment clean.”
The governor’s representative also said: “In our effort and serious attempt at turning waste to wealth, the administration has geared up its energy into recycling of waste as an alternative means of deducing competitive market products from the huge waste generated in the State. A successful effort towards achieving this desired goal will provide employment and generate income for its citizens.
“In responding to the climate change challenge, the state has proactively put in place measures aims at tackling the impact of climate change. To coordinate the activities, the state government has set–up a multi-State Technical Committee on Climate Change (STCC), to drive the process of climate change activities in the state.”
The summit tagged: ‘Charting a roadmap for sustainable environment and creation of green jobs’ will hold from July 26 to July 28, 2016; with a Special Golf Tournament for Climate Change (‘PLAY GOLF FOR CLIMATE CHANGE’) on the 29-30th of July at the Le’ Meridien Ibom Hotel & Golf Resort, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
The governor’s representative also said that the summit “will anchor an all stakeholders’ brainstorming and solution-seeking sessions that would benefit the human and natural environment in Nigeria and beyond; a gathering of experts, intellectuals and major stakeholders in the environment/climate change, in strategic and high-level sessions to address salient issues, generate new ideas and approaches as well as chart a roadmap to combat the scourge of climate change in Nigeria in particular the Niger Delta region as a Sub-National Post COP 21 Implementation Agenda.”
According to him, “Highlight of the summit will include an International Summit & Exhibition; a Climate Walk; Legacy Tree Planting Program; a Green Talk Shop; a State Dinner; creating the first CLEAN ENERGY TECHNOLOGY HUB/EXPORT PROCESSING in West African Sub-region, and the FIRST EVER Special Environmental Governance Award for deserving institutions and individuals.
“The four-day programme will begin with an Enlightenment Campaign, Roadshow, Public Presentation and a Sensitization Workshop on Green Economy/Low Carbon for Sustainable Empowerment in Nigeria.
“The dream of this administration is on industrialisation and the governor has set in motion a massive industrialization drive through the constitution of several technical committees, signing of MoUs, ground-breaking ceremonies and other preliminary processes for wide range of industrial projects like the Ibom Industrial City which will house the deepest seaport in Nigeria (the Ibom Deep Seaport), an automobile assembly plant, an electricity meter production plant, LED factory to produce low energy bulbs in the State, and numerous other large-scale industries.
“There are untapped resources and opportunities in the State begging to be harnessed, a safe environment may be the front door key to some if not all investment, we therefore, call on investors to take advantage of the peaceful and peace loving environment of the state to invest.”
In his remarks, Victor Fodake, director-general, Africa Clean Energy Summit, expressed the optimism that with the level of awareness and the level of willingness on the part of government, Nigeria would soon solarise Africa. He urged those who still think it is impossible to fully go green in the country to perish such thought.
According to him, “People who succeed in life are those who make stepping stones out of stumbling stones; enough of complaints. We are prepared to take up this challenge. We are solarising Africa just as Obama is solarising America. We want to power kiosks by clean energy. Fossil fuel is going to be a revolutionised in Nigeria and Akwa Ibom is leading the research with Covenant University to make sure that Nigeria will be exporting the technology. Fossil fuel will be decarbonised, gas will be decarbonised. We must all join the campaign and together we can create the future that we all want.”
Samuel Wara, a professor and director, Centre for Research Innovation and Discovery, Covenant University, spoke on the benefits of green energy, emphasizing that Nigeria stands to benefit immensely by embracing the campaign in its entirety.