Govt. Enlists Traditional Rulers for Conservation
ngrclimatereports February 2nd, 2010
Mr John Odey
Minister of Environment, Mr. John Odey, has called on traditional rulers and district heads in the country to take active part in the preservation of the environment as the livelihood of their communities depended on it.
The most crucial environmental challenges in the country, and therefore their solutions, lie in the villages and rural communities, he added.
The minister made the call in Gashua at the weekend when he inaugurated projects under the North East Zone Arid Development Programme in Yobe State.
He noted that since traditional rulers and district heads are in close contact with the people living at the grassroots, they should encourage them on issues of Enviornmental sustainability and preservation.
A statement signed by the minister’s special assistant on media, Mr. rotimi Ajayi cited the minister saying, “It is our belief that a key solution to the problems of desertification, climate change and other environmental issues lies in building an effective partnership with the local communities by taking a holistic approach to supporting people’s livelihoods.
“Only through the active collaboration with the communities at the grassroots can our development projects be meaningfully implemented.
“It is no longer news today that climate change is the most serious environment problem facing humanity. This phenomenon is giving rise to desertification and drought.
“What is however news is the fact that combating desertification is synonymous with combating the impacts of climate change in the dry areas. The two phenomena also have their roots in unsustainable socio-economic development practices.
“As the effects of both desertification and climate change are being felt, particularly by the poor and vulnerable groups, revolutionary adaptation solutions are urgently needed.
The Minister added that the threat of desertification and climate change to Nigeria had underscored the introduction of the National Afforestation Program of the Federal Government.
He disclosed that the Program would be executed in partnership with States and Local Government authorities.
Some of the projects inaugurated include 500 metric tons of Grain bank for Reserve Food Security Measures and 10,000 capacity post fingerling pond.
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