The Environmental Management Association of Nigeria (EMAN) has opposed in strong term the proposed establishment of National Climate Change Commission. This was contained the welcome address presented by Arch. Sir Emmanuel E. Ating KSJ, National President of Environmental Management Association of Nigeria (EMAN), at the National Conference on Environmental Management in Nigeria, held in Abuja. He dismissed the argument put up by proponent of the proposal that the establishment of the Climate Change Commission will attract funding from International Agencies, as being not only weak but fraudulent. He is of the opinion that the establishment of the commission will starve the Environment Ministry, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), of funds needed to address the Environmental problems that actually result in Climate Change.
The theme of the conference is; “Climate Change and Sustainable Environmental Management in Nigeria: Evolving a National Plan of Action”. Arch. Sir Ating posited that climate change is primarily caused by the developed countries and believes that they should be dealing with it. He however regretted that Africa who contributes less than other continents to climate change suffers most from the adverse consequences. He went further thus; “There are several industrial activities in progress in Nigeria that contribute to climate change, the most outstanding of which is Gas Flaring by Petroleum Companies in the Niger Delta Region. It is important therefore, for Nigerians to introspect and audit herself on the issue of climate change to see the areas of deficiencies”.
Chairman of the 1st plenary at the occasion, Hon. Dr. Micah Akpan Umoh, Deputy Chairman, House Committee on Public Petitions and represents Ikot Abas/Mkpat Enin/Eastern Obolo Federal Constituency of Akwa Ibom, told news men that the aim of the conference was to highlight the impact of climate change get the people aware of the effect of climate change. He said awareness creation is necessary on how not to aggravate the impact of the agents of climate change, like indiscriminate cutting of trees.
The Commissioner for Environment in Delta State, Chief Omare Frank spoke to newsmen at the occasion on how his state has been contributing to the reduction of the impact of climate change. The state, according to him, has established a dump site where waste products would be bought and processed in a modern recycling machine. He said this will begin before the end of the year.
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