Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, has expressed his readiness to partner stakeholders to promote climate change initiatives in the state. This was disclosed when he received a delegation from the Foreign Commonwealth & Development Office – Partnership Agile Governance and Climate Change (FCDO-PAGE) in his office.
Governor Otti emphasized that collaborating with experts like FCDO-PAGE would bring about solutions and ways to mitigate the effects of climate change, which is in line with his administration’s commitment to disciplined governance, climate action, and evidence-based policy implementation.
The governor noted that his administration is built on a strong value system, rooted in strategic planning, diligent execution, and measurable outcomes, frowning that many well-conceived strategies have been abandoned due to poor follow-up, stressing the need for structures that would ensure efficiency and sustainability, while stating that careful planning is essential in the transition to renewable energy, as unchecked industrial and economic activities contribute significantly to environmental degradation.
The Commissioner for Environment, Mr. Philemon Asonye Ogbonna, highlighted the governor’s commitment to climate change initiatives, citing the creation of a Climate Change Department and the organization of a state-wide engagement on climate change, adding that Abia State has been ranked No 8 out of 36 states in climate change initiatives, and the UNIDO has selected the state for an award on circular economy.
The National Team Lead of FCDO-PAGE, Mr. Ifeanyi Peters Ugwuoke, expressed the organization’s readiness to partner with the Abia State government on climate change initiatives identifying the potential areas of collaboration which include climate finance readiness, green budgeting, and policy alignment. Ugwuoke commended Governor Otti’s commitment to transparent governance and climate action, describing his leadership as visionary and aligned with international best practices.
The Special Assistant to the Governor on Climate Change and Sustainability, Ms Esther Chioma Ajah, was among the top government officials at the event, receiving commendations from both the governor and the visiting FCDO-PAGE delegation. Governor Otti assured the delegation that his team would work out practical ways to address climate change challenges, stating, “What we are doing is actually the direction. We will sit down, study, understand it, and then come up with solutions.”
The governor’s commitment to climate action and sustainable development in Abia State is evident in his administration’s efforts to tackle climate change and promote environmental sustainability. With the support of stakeholders like FCDO-PAGE, Abia State is poised to make significant strides in addressing the challenges of climate change.
