Chuks Oyema-Aziken
State governments have been urged to develop and submit project ideas for inclusion in the Nationally Determined Contribution implementation plan towards tackling Climate change.
The call was made at the Stakeholder’s Engagement on National Implementation of Nigeria’s Revised Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) for North Central Geopolitical Zone in Keffi, Nasarawa State.
The meeting was organised by the Federal Ministry of Environment through the Department of Climate Change (DCC).
The workshop aimed at Engaging stakeholders at Sub-National level to ensure effective process for implementation and planning of the updated NDC; building the capacity of stakeholder on how to access Climate Finance for the North Central zone; building the Capacity of sub-nationals on Mitigation and Adaptation measures in climate change.
In his paper titled, ‘Overview of NDC and Implementation plan’, Huzi Mshelia, Nigeria Facilitator, NDC Partnership, stated that the Sub-Nationals are expected to provide overview of climate actions in their respective States for population of the Climate Registry; Submit project ideas for inclusion in the national implementation plan; Contribute in the validation of prioritized areas for implementation based on local circumstances and confirmation of the data and assumptions used.
He said: “Expect active participation of directorate cadre staff to ensure full alignment with State government’s policies and priorities; On a long term, expected to prioritize, integrate and mainstream the NDCs targets in their respective works and activities; Support an early development of low emission plans for their respective states; Further explore climate financing options available to execute climate actions.”
Professor Emmanuel Nzegbule of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudi, said in his paper ‘Adaptation measures in the NDC and Entry Opportunities for State Governments’ that States can no longer take the Back stage in climate change issues.”If the NDC must be achieved, then our states must develop there own targets in accordance with the NDC”.
Olugbolahan Mark-George, Climate Finance Advisor, Nigeria – NDC Partnership, Nigeria Country Coordinator, PFAN, in his paper ‘NDC Climate Finance :Priority funds for Nigeria and project selection’, said projects must fit with Nigeria’s overall development priorities and climate.
Similarly, Professor Nasiru Idris of the Faculty of Environmental Science, Nasarawa State University, Keffi, in his paper, Mitigation measures in the NDC and entry point opportunities to State Governments’ noted that it is important for all governments and stakeholders to understand and assess the financial needs of developing countries, as well as to understand how these financial resources can be mobilized.
“Provision of resources should also aim to achieve a balance between adaptation and mitigation,” he added.
