A group, under the auspices of the “Africa Infrastructure, Climate Change and Investment Summit (AICIS) committee”, has moved to mitigate the effect of climate change on infrastructural development on the African continent.
The group had also planned to hold a summit/exhibition in this regard in Washington DC, United States of America, between Oct. 30 and Nov. 2.
Speaking at a news conference in Abuja, the Chairman of the committee, Moses Owharo, disclosed that the planned summit is a Pan-African summit.
Owharo stated that the summit aimed at mobilizing stakeholders across the African landscape, especially Nigeria, to access developmental funds from the international community in order to tackle the challenges of infrastructure rot and Investment downturn on the African continent.
He disclosed that the primary aim was to rally African stakeholders and governments to leverage green climate financing to tackle challenges associated with rot and downturn in investments, infrastructure and disaster management.
“Climate change covers a wide range of issues inclusive of power generation, alternative energy, hydro-electric facility for Agricultural purposes, water/dam reticulation to fight deforestation in the sub-Sahara Africa, East Africa, North Africa and Southern Africa within the next five years.
“Environmental impact assessment on climate, soil, livestock inclusive of fauna/flora, green vegetation/green belt replenishment.
“Nigeria and other African countries, as signatories to the Paris Agreement (PA), recognised that the transition to low-emission development is indispensable for achieving sustainable economic growth.
“It will also reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and other social, economic, and environmental benefits cannot be over-emphasised,” Owharo said.
He said that in addition to the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) that outline climate actions until 2030, the Paris Agreement, under Article 4.19, calls for all parties to strive and formulate communication worldwide on LT-LEDS.
He said that AICIS focuses on providing a platform with a clear sense of direction to all stakeholders for a well-managed transition to a low-carbon economy that grows in all sectors, creating new jobs and economic opportunities.
Owharo stated that AICIS will promote sustainable development and guarantee climate-proofed economic development through multi-stakeholder engagement in the national development plans.
He said that it will contribute immensely to laying a solid foundation for Nigeria and the rest of Africa towards the global objective of climate neutrality, a climate-resilient society with knowledge-driven and a paramount digital economy.
Owharo said that African countries will now build on AICIS’s initial long-term vision to develop a long-term strategy for action and implementation.
According to him, implementing bold policies and actions is pivotal in this challenging environment.
Therefore, he called for multi-sector participation and a deepened stakeholder collaboration in achieving specific goals that will integrate Nigerians with an active role in African infrastructure development, climate change and Investment perspective and leadership in African countries.
Prof Sunday Ogunduyile, the Former Vice Chancellor, Olusegun University of Science and Technology, Okiti-Pupa, Ondo state stated that Investment in climate change issues will make a solid contribution to the growth of Nigeria.
Ogunduyile, a member of the committee, urged all Nigerians, particularly stakeholders, to support the initiative of transforming the climate change effect for the infrastructural benefit of the country.
Dr Fatima Damagudu, an Aide to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, noted that climate change issues are one of the mandates of President Bola Tinubu while urging everybody to key into the idea of supporting climate change issues.
Mr Faith Oniuwherin, Managing Director, Joeta and Sons Limited, stated that the upcoming submission will be a eye-opener, and that it would lead to the development of Africa at large.
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