A non-governmental organisation (NGO) called Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre-Nigeria (YEAC-Nigeria) has urged the Federal Government “to triple action” in tackling the issue of climate change in the country.
The Executive Director of the group, Mr Dumnamene Fyneface, made the call on Monday, November 13, 2023, during a peaceful protest in Port Harcourt.
Fyneface said the group embarked on hunger strike and protest to draw the attention of the leaders of the country at all levels to implement Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end the issue of climate change, pollution and gas flaring.
He said that the world was facing challenges on climate change and that deliberate actions should be taken to curb its unhealthy impact.
“We are embarking on hunger strike to call on our leaders to take action on climate change challenges as they gather in Dubai for the Conference of the Parties on Climate Change, COP28.
“It is a global wave of hunger strike for climate change.
“YEAC-Nigeria and Kebetkache are jointly working on this move here in Rivers and Nigeria and we are calling on our leaders because we know that President Bola Tinubu will attend the COP28 meeting in Dubai.
“Climate change is affecting everybody generally in Nigeria and around the world.
“And the impact is very heavy on the people, especially the Niger Delta.
“We are appealing to our leaders to take action and give us a safer earth by addressing climatic change challenges,” Fyneface said.
He further called on the Federal Government to create more public awareness on climate change.
He also advocated speedy implementation of the Renewable Energy Plans, COP28.
“We need a systemic change to address climate change.
“We need a comprehensive implementation of the Paris Club Agreement on Climate Change.
“We need a stop to gas flaring that is contributing to climate change.
“We want the government to implement the Paris Club Agreement on Climate Change ratified by Nigeria in 2016.
“Nigeria is working toward net zero by the year 2060.
“This is the time to take action that would lead us to that,” he said.
Fyneface said that Nigeria recently launched the Energy Transition Plan, adding that Federal Government should take action in implementing the plan in the country.
The Programme Officer for Kebetkache Women Development and Resource Centre, Mrs Idongesit Smart, said that women’s sources of livelihoods had been adversely affected by climate change and oil pollution.
According to Smart, Niger Delta women are known to be fisherwomen and farmers.
“But now, the livelihoods of women have been automatically destroyed as a result of climate change.
“Constant oil spills pollute the environment and women don’t have water to drink anymore because even the underground water is polluted.
“We are calling on Tinubu to address the issue of climate change as he attends COP28.
“We need a systemic change because if our system changes, the issue of climate change will be addressed,” she said.
Smart listed some of the impacts of climate change on women to include early blindness, early menopause, child stillbirth and skin rashes, amongst others.
By Precious Akutamadu
Good moves. I stand with the group on their demands as a way to bringing development and a healthy lifestyle to the people.