As the effects of climate change continue to have negative implications on communities in the Niger Delta, Councilors have been advised on how to access funding to combat the menace to better their lives.
The advice was given at a one-day advocacy meeting on Gender and Climate Change for Ward Councilors organised by Kebetkache Women Development and Resource Centre in Port Harcourt.
In her welcome address, the Executive Director of the Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), Emem Okon said that the meeting exposes councilors on the availability of funding and access to resources in the Climate Change Green funding. She explained that the project aimed at deepening understanding of gender and climate change and to advocate for gender concerns into change responses in the Niger Delta communities, noting that if communities begin to have access to funding they can plan for adoption and mitigation measures which will help in reducing climate change negative implications on the people while gender responsive will increase women participation and those with disabilities.
According to Okon, climate change have badly affected farming, resulting into low crop yields, leading to food insecurity, hunger and family crisis, which affect women most since they are key players in role of food production.
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In her remarks, the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Women Affairs, Uche Uriri said that the Ministry has focus in the effects on Climate Change, particularly on women, noting that Climate Change is a serious issue just like the soot matter where Governor Nyesom Wike treats the matter seriously.
She said people should pay more attention on how to manage their waste disposal.
The resource person, Tititope Asoka explained that there are lots of International funds for Climate Change, saying that Councillors should avail themselves of the opportunity.
She said the G7 countries have taken responsibility to give funding to developing nations to mitigate and adapt their environment. Akosa maintained that if communities did not know about the funding they may not access it, noting that there are International instrument that make the polluters to pay for restoring the environment as they should take advantage of the process.
She expressed the optimism that councillors can be in the best position to inform their communities and their local government chairman, hence the training.
If we must reduce the impact of Climate change we must access the fund,” she said.
Some of the councillors urged NEMA to rescue communities within Niger Delta during the flooding disasters. The Climate Change Desk Officer, Ministry of Environment, Nimi Elele, in her contributions said the Ministry has a lot of interventions in the area of environmental pollution, such as flooding, soot as they have planted a lot of trees to checkmate climate change.
The stakeholders decried how oil and gas production has increased the effects of climate change in their various communities leading to annual flooding. “Climate change has deepened poverty for women and makes survival very challenging,” they said.
