By Naomi Sharang
The Senate Committee focused on the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) is calling for strong measures to combat climate change in West Africa. During a recent meeting with the C7 West Africa Project Consortium in Abuja, Chairman Sen. Asuquo Ekpenyong highlighted the urgency of this issue.
Ekpenyong emphasized that understanding the effects of climate change on the Niger Delta is crucial. He stated, “We need to develop policies that are not just reactionary but proactive and sustainable.”
He also pointed out the environmental damage caused by years of oil exploration. Rising sea levels and erratic weather are displacing communities and threatening their way of life. The adverse impacts of climate change lead to increased disease spread, putting further strain on an already struggling public health system.
“Environmental damage can lead to social unrest,” he warned. “To achieve lasting peace, we must tackle these fundamental issues. Reliable data is vital; without it, our solutions may fall short.”
Retired Air Commodore Darlington Abdullahi, who led the delegation, remarked that climate change poses a serious threat to global stability. He pointed out that the crisis is evident in regions like the Sahel and Northern Nigeria, where desertification and floods are increasingly common.
“Climate change is changing the security landscape globally,” Abdullahi noted. He added that West Africa faces climate change at a rate higher than the rest of the world, leading to conflict and humanitarian emergencies. Nigeria, in particular, is grappling with these challenges, affecting natural resources and agriculture.
Abdullahi urged for continued research and adaptation efforts that have taken place over the past three years, aimed at building resilience to these pressing issues.
Edited by Abdulfatai Beki and Kevin Okunzuwa
