CHRAN tasks Gov Eno to set up Climate change Agency in A'Ibom

 

By Theresa Donatus, Uyo 

Non governmental organization, The Center for Human Rights and Accountability Network (CHRAN) has charged Akwa Ibom state governor, His Excellency Pastor Umo Eno to set up a Climate Change Agency managed by professionals to provide timely solution to the climate change challenges.

In a statement signed and made available to newsmen in Uyo over the weekend, the CHRAN Director, Otuekong Franklyn Isong and his deputy, Comrade Vincent Aluu 

(Deputy Director Public Affairs advocated that urgent remedial works be done on Atiku Abubaka way, and Udo Ikpe Street beside Power City Church, off Nwaniba Road in Uyo as the road has been seriously affected by gully erosion, putting the lives of inhabitants of the area at a high risk. 

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The CHRAN boss, commended the State government on its efforts on industrialization, mitigating the effects of climate change and energy security. 

He urged the visiting NIPSS participants to ensure that the outcome of the interaction is published and made to reflect on some of the policy decisions of the federal, state, and local governments. 

Isong called on the state government to domesticate the Climate Change Act 2021, enacted by the Federal Government of Nigeria by ensuring the implementation of Energy Transition Plan to encourage significant investment opportunities in the state such as; establishment and expansion of industries related to solar energy, hydrogen, and electric vehicles and to review its environmental policy.

The CHRAN urged the Akwa Ibom State Environmental Protection And Waste Management Agency to be alive to its responsibility by ensuring timely evacuation of waste from the drainages, roads and streets of Uyo and its environ in order to reduce flooding in the state.

He also drew government’s attention to the debilitating effects of flooding in some parts of the state, stressing that areas worst hit by reoccurring ravaging flood incidents include: Abak Road, Nkemba street, Michael Abraham off Nkemba street; Oron Road by Uruan street; IBB Way by Ukpong Ebet and Akpa Ebet streets; Dominic Utuk (Brooks) street by Gibbs street; middle of Nsentip street; Udo Eduok street; Ikot Ekpene Road near former AKTC Park; Ibom Plaza; Ewet Housing Estate, Shelter Afrique Estate, Osongama Estate, Atiku Abubakar Avenue, Ukana Offot street, Obio Imo street, Nwaniba road, Aka road by IBB junction, Nsikak Eduok Avenue, among others. 

Isong noted with dismay that part of the reasons for flooding is the indiscriminate dumping of waste by citizens and residents of the state along water channels and drainages, calling on the people to deploy ownership approach in disposing waste by disposing their waste at the designated locations and at appropriate time. 

The group urged the state government to take urgent steps on the deplorable condition of the Dumpsite along Uyo village road, noting that, "the site and the road are in bad shape hence the need for immediate intervention".