By Our correspondent
The Society for Planet and Prosperity, an environmental NGO, has called for urgent climate action and support for the victims of the devastating flood disaster in Borno State.
TheNewsZenith reports that Ugochukwu Uzuegbu, Communications Officer for SPP, made the call in a statement, on Monday in Lagos.
Uzuegbu stated that SPP commiserated with the government and people over the flood disaster that ravaged Bornu State last week.
“The tragic event, triggered by the collapse of the Alau dam, resulted in numerous casualties, loss of lives and widespread destruction of livelihoods,” he stated.
Referencing the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) Uzuegbu said the incident claimed more than 30 gives with at least 414,000 people displaced.
He said NEMA also estimates that flooding has affected more than one million people across the country, with many communities at risk.
SPP noted that the immediate cause of the disaster was the dam’s failure.
The underlying cause is climate change, which, through increased rainfall, exerted pressure on the dam leading to its collapse.
Uzuegbu quoted the President of SPP, Prof. Chukwumerije Okereke as saying that we must deal with the root cause of the flood given the many obvious risks and impacts of climate change.
“It has become clear that we cannot continue to play the ostrich.
“This unfortunate incident is a rude awakening to the dangers ahead, especially highlighting the vulnerabilities of the subnational regions.
“The subnational regions often bear the brunt of these climate impacts.
“This sad occurrence troubled us. We advocate that governments at all levels should take urgent action.
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“Civil Society Organisations and other stakeholders too should provide relief to the people,” TheNewsZenith quotes the statement in part.
As the world prepares for the forthcoming COP29 in November, SPP strongly advocated for easier access to international finance, speedy implementation of loss and damage funds and improved funding to meet current needs.
TheNewsZenith reports that COP29 is generally regarded as the “Finance COP”. Nigeria is preparing to submit her National Determined Contribution (NDC) 3.0 at the conference.
“Easier access to international finance, implementation of Loss and Damage Fund and improved funding of Adaptation Fund to meet current needs.
“It is equally important that these resources, when available, are used efficiently and transparently.
“The subnationals should also be able to access these funds to enhance their disaster preparedness, adaptation efforts and mitigation measures.
“Governments, particularly at the Sub-national level, must urgently implement climate
vulnerability risk assessments and develop early warning systems.
“They should also prioritise developing climate change policies aligned with these assessments to mitigate future risks.
“The governments should improve Climate Change awareness among the people.
“Informed communities are better equipped to adapt and embark on meaningful community-led actions against climate change,” SPP suggested.
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