In her sustained advocacy for compliance with the developmental blueprint as entrenched in the A.R.I.S.E Agenda of His Excellency, Pastor Umo Eno , the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment and Solid Minerals, Iquo Abia Esq, yesterday, Friday July 7, 2023 had emphasized the importance of environmental management, as a requisite factor for sustainable development of the State.
This was expressed in a presentation made by the Permanent Secretary while engaging SEC45, 2023 participants from the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies(NIPSS), Kuru in a discourse, during their tour of the Ministry.
Mrs. Abia, in her presentation which centred on the theme of the Study: 'Industrialization, Climate Change and Energy Security in Nigeria: Issues, Challenges and Prospects", handed down some salient guidelines for combating the damaging effects of climate change in order to sustain a secure environment.
She cautioned, "while embarking on development, we should also consider the wellbeing of the future generations"; even as she regretted the damaging effects of industrialization activities, particularly as they involve environmental degradation.
While she concluded her discourse with presentation of a Book titled, "Roadmap for Sustainable (Green) Development of Akwa Ibom State (2016 - 2030)" to the team leader, Prof. Dung Pam Sha, she however commended the Study, as it is in sync with the State development blueprint.
Corroborating Mrs. Abia's presentation, the Coordinator, Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project (NEWMAP), Dr. Ubong Harrison, highlighted the nexus between industrialization, climate change and energy security; and expressed Government's genuine efforts at tackling the menace of energy insecurity, particularly via provision of solar energy. Dr. Harrison noted in admiration, that the A.R.I.S.E Agenda has constituted a driving force behind the successes so far recorded in the state in the critical area of environmental management.
In his goodwill message, the Chairman, AKHA Committee on Environment, Hon. Bassey Pius Bassey, commended the delegation for its choice of Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Environment and Sold Minerals for their study. The lawmaker took cognizance of the importance of energy security in enhancing industrialization, but condemned its negative effects on the environment. Hon. Bassey who extolled the robust relationship that holds between the State House of Assembly and the Ministry of Environment and Solids Minerals, pledged to improve the relationship for the betterment of the State.
In her remarks, the State Solicitor-General and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice, Mrs. Mfon Edemekong, spoke on the legal framework that regulates Government actions and inactions on Industrialization and investment, and made a strong case for new federal laws to be enacted to guide the operations of industries in order to curb their negative effects, since such laws are in the exclusive list.
In his comment, an erudite academic and an environmentalist from University of Uyo, Prof. Ukana Akpabio, frowned at a situation where many things related to environment have been neglected, especially in the area of forestry. Prof. Akpabio therefore called for aforestation of our environment, avering that most of our industrial establishments are supported by forestry products.
In his commendation, the Clan Head of Ibesikpo, HRH, Obong Etebom Nsidibe Etuk, thanked the State Government for cushioning the effects of flooding on IBB Way and other locations in the state, and extolled NEWMAP for penetrating even the remote communities , for development purposes. He pledged sustained collaboration with government to create enabling environment for developmental projects.
During interactive session, Mrs. Ini Umoh, Director, Climate Change and Awareness, updated the participants on the level of synergy existing between the State Ministry of Environment and Solid Minerals and other environment-sensitive institutions, such as the Federal Ministry of Environment. She stressed that such synergy has always paid off for effective sensitization and awareness creation on climate change issues.
Issues addressed during the session were mostly based on the following areas: Waste to Wealth, Historical trends of industrialization, energy security, Water and rural sanitation, climate change and awareness.
At that converge which was largely participatory due to the impressive presence of many stakeholders including titled Chiefs, a case was also advanced for eradication of top-bottom approaches to environmental development, especially those issues on the exclusive list, the impacts of which do not augur well for the downline communities.
In his response, the leader of the 18-member NIPSS delegation, Prof. Dung Pam Sha, commended Akwa Ibom State Government for its development blueprint, especially towards environmental management. He expressed satisfaction with what he termed as the theoretical insight derived from the presentation by the permanent Secretary, Mrs. Abia, as well as the interaction with all the stakeholders.
He confessed, "I'm so impressed by what I've seen, and I must describe this experience as bumper harvest of information and sensitization".
The peak point of the event was the presentation of Plaques to the trio of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment and Solid Minerals, Mrs. Abia; Chairman, AKHA Committee on Environment, Hon. Bassey; and the Solicitor -General/ Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice, Mrs. Edemekong.
Inscribed on the Plaques, as hinted by the Team Leader, Prof. Sha, are the names of directing staff and members of SEC45, 2023 Participants of NIPPS .
Information Unit,
Ministry of Environment and Solid Minerals, AKS.
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