By Leonard Okachie
Umuahia, Feb. 15, 2024(NAN)Abia State Government says it is committed to issues of climate change and Persons with Disabilities’ (PWD) interventions in the state.
The Special Assistant to the Governor on Disability Matters, Mr David Anyaele, expressed this commitment when the management of the Centre for Citizens with Disabilities(CCD) paid him an advocacy visit on Thursday, in Umuahia.
Anyaele expressed Gov. Alex Otti’s resolve to ensuring that Abia provided an enabling framework that would help in cushioning the effect of climate change in the state.
According to Anyaele, the governor has done this by approving Department of Climate Change in the Ministry of Environment.
He disclosed that the department had started conducting ” Vulnerability Assessment Impact on Climate Change” in the 17 local government areas of the state.
Anyaele expressed optimism that the outcome of the assessment would help to develop a climate change profile for the state.
He said : “I want to assure that the PWDs will not be left behind in this climate change adaptation and mitigation efforts of the government.
“My office is interested in the outcome of your analysis on the extent Abians with disabilities’ inclusion in climate change response.
“Permit me to assure that my office is willing to collaborate with CCD and their international partners the Disability Rights Fund (DRF) in promoting this project.
The CCD Interim Head of Office, Mrs Florence Austin and the Senior Programme Officer, Mr Damian Ivom, presenting IEC materials to Anyaele.
“We are also available to support, partner in creating awareness in a disability friendly manner, in order to ensure that Abia people are aware of issues of climate change and PWD.”
Earlier, the Interim Head of CCD, Mrs Florence Austin, said that the essence of the visit was to request government’s collaboration on the project “Promoting Disability-Inclusive Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation in Abia State”.
She explained that that the project with support from the Disability Rights Fund, was aimed at advancing disability-inclusive climate change adaptation and mitigation in the state.
Austin said that part of the objectives was to analyse the extent of PWDs inclusion and produce evidence-based report on disability-inclusive climate change response in the state.
“We firmly believe that an inclusive approach will not only benefit individuals with disabilities, but also contribute to more effective and resilient climate change strategies for the entire community,” she said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the heads of clusters in the disability community in their separate remarks, commended CCD for the initiative and pledged their supports for its success in the state.
They also thanked the governor for Anyaele’s appointment while describing him, Anyaele as a blessing to the disability community. (NAN)
