Reps hail Gombe as model in ecological, climate change mitigation

The House of Representatives Committee on Ecological Fund has commended Gombe State Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya for his administration’s proactive measures in tackling ecological challenges, particularly gully erosion and climate change.

The commendation occurred during a courtesy visit to Governor Yahaya at the Gombe Government House on Wednesday, as part of the committee’s oversight activities in the state.

Committee Chairman Rt. Hon. Aminu Sani Jaji praised Gombe State, noting it was the only state they visited where they observed a genuine commitment from the government to combat climate change. “Your Excellency, the efforts we’ve seen here are truly commendable.

Gombe is the only place where we’ve witnessed a clear, tangible commitment from the state government in addressing ecological and climate change challenges,” Hon. Jaji remarked.

He expressed confidence that Gombe could serve as a model for other states facing similar issues, assuring that the committee would advocate for the adoption of Gombe’s strategies at the federal level.

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Additionally, he announced Gombe State’s selection for a pilot project by the Ecological Fund Office, which will allocate significant funds to address flooding in local governments. This selection, he noted, was in recognition of Gombe’s proactive efforts.

Hon. Jaji assured that the committee would direct relevant agencies to collaborate with the state on implementing ecological control projects.

In response, Governor Inuwa Yahaya emphasized that Gombe, located in the vulnerable Sahel region, is at high risk of desertification and severe environmental degradation.

His administration has adopted a multi-faceted approach to mitigate these challenges, including afforestation programs, flood control initiatives, and strategic partnerships with federal agencies and international organizations.

“We have made significant strides in addressing the ecological problems we face in Gombe State. You may be aware that Gombe has over 214 active gullies spread across the 11 local governments,” the Governor stated. He emphasized that these gullies adversely affect the environment and the livelihoods of residents.

“Upon assuming office in 2019, we made erosion control a cardinal agenda of our administration,” he added.

Governor Yahaya reiterated his administration’s commitment to climate change mitigation and environmental conservation, highlighting their 10-year development plan aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

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“Each year, we plant 1 million trees across the state, and this is an ongoing program,” he said, pointing out the visibility of these initiatives during the committee’s tour.

The Governor also noted that since 2019, his administration has consistently fulfilled its counterpart funding obligations with partner organizations, such as NEWMAP and ACReSAL. He emphasized that while progress has been made, much remains to be done.

With continued support from the federal government and relevant agencies, Governor Yahaya expressed optimism that Gombe State would overcome its ecological challenges and ensure environmental sustainability for future generations. He concluded by inviting partnerships from stakeholders willing to assist the state in addressing these issues.

Earlier, the committee members toured several gully erosion sites in Gombe to assess the severity of the threat posed by gully erosion and the state government’s commitment to mitigation efforts, as reported by Ismaila Uba Misilli, Director-General (Press Affairs), Government House.