Abia: CCD strengthens stakeholders’ commitment to disability-inclusive climate change action
The Centre for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) on Wednesday organised a workshop in Umuahia to strengthen stakeholders’ commitment to disability-inclusive climate change action in Abia.
The workshop tagged “Strengthening Stakeholders’ Commitment to Disability-Inclusive Climate Change Action in Abia,” is funded by the Disability Rights Fund (DRF).
It drew participants from the state Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), the Nigerian Red Cross Society, National Orientation Agency, persons with disabilities (PWDs) and others.
In a speech, Acting Director of CCD, Mr Godwin Unumeri, said the workshop was convened to move the state from policy formulation to implementation following the development of the Abia State Climate Change Policy.
According to him, CCD has since 2024 been implementing a project on disability-inclusive planning, policies and programmes in Abia in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment and other MDAs.
He noted that the policy had been validated and is currently before Gov. Alex Otti for assent and formal launch.
“Developing a policy without supporting people on how the policy will be implemented will just be like doing 50 per cent of the work.
“That is why, in collaboration with our donor, DRF we decided to train the PWDs and government stakeholders that will implement the policy directly on climate change action planning and implementation,” Unumeri said.
He explained that Day One of the workshop focused on climate action planning, while Day Two would focus on implementation strategies.
He stressed that Nigeria’s major challenge is not the absence of policies but implementation gaps.
Delivering the goodwill message on behalf of the Commissioner for Environment, Chief Philemon Ogbonna, the Director of Climate Change in the Ministry, Dr Chris Ike, commended CCD for consistently pushing disability issues to the front burner.
He said the ministry, as the coordinating body on climate change, has integrated disability inclusion into its programmes.
He said that the programmes include the Abia State Clean Cooking Plan and the Climate Change Policy and Action Plan, which covers 2026 to 2031.
Ike disclosed that the policy has undergone validation at both national and international levels and has received the nod of the National Council on Climate Change.
He added that it is now awaiting the governor’s endorsement.
“The commitment and participation of our brothers and sisters with disabilities in these engagements have been second to none.
“They attend these meetings religiously, most times before those coming with cars, and I commend you for that. It shows enormous ability in disability,” he said.
He further announced that the ministry will soon roll out a climate education and resilience programme across secondary and tertiary institutions in the 17 LGAs of the state, including schools for PWDs.
Represententative of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Dr Ifeyinwa Uma-Kalu, Mrs Precious Ikengwa, Desk Officer for Climate Change and Health, said climate change effects such as flooding, heat stress and disease outbreaks disproportionately affect PWDs.
She disclosed that the ministry has commenced the process of domesticating the National Health Adaptation Plan and is committed to ensuring PWDs are not left behind in adaptation and emergency preparedness plans.
Resource Person, Mr Ikenna Ebiri, said he observed strong willingness from MDAs, especially the Ministry of Environment, to mainstream PWDs’ concerns into climate mitigation and action plans.
Ebiri noted that the Abia State Government through the Ministry of Environment, stressed that PWDs must not be left behind in every climate change mitigation process, implementation and action plan.
“I must commend the state government, Abia State Disability Commission, DRF and CCD for pushing through this Climate Change Action Plan,” he said.
A participant with disability, Udodinma Egwuonwu, expressed optimism that the knowledge gained would help both PWDs and MDAs to drive inclusive climate change action in the state.
