Prof. Ijeoma Vincent-Akpu, President, Association for Environmental Impact Assessment of Nigeria (AEIAN) has decried the low awareness of climate change and impending impacts in the country.
She said this at the 7th annual conference and annual general meeting of the Association for Environmental Impact Assessment of Nigeria (AEIAN), in Abuja.
Sharpedgenews reports that the theme of the conference is: “Impact Assessment: Climate Resilience, Financing and Environmental Sustainability”.
She said that Nigeria being one of the highly vulnerable countries to climate change had continued to battle challenges with its negative impact such as flooding, health complications among others.
“We need to create awareness about it as it is a global issue and we need to talk about it.
“This year’s theme is talking about impact assessment, climate resilience, financing and environmental sustainability.
“We need to put all these together to let people know that it is a big issue not just in Nigeria but globally.
“For instance, rain is not supposed to be occurring at this time of the year but we are still experiencing it, this is a sign of climate change and we need to talk about it.
“Research has shown that a lot of things are happening with our climate and we need to start doing something that will build up the resilience”, she said.
Also speaking, Sen. Yunus Akintunde, Senate Committee Chairman on Environment said that the 10th National Assembly would continue to support the association’s efforts towards achieving sustainable environment in the country.
“Environment is life and life is about the environment, the Senate and the National Assembly as a whole will be readily available to assist this association with whatever legislation required to move the association and the country forward,” he assured.
A Keynote speaker, Dr Eugene Itua CEO Natural Eco Capital urged Nigerians to become more resilient on the effects of climate change in the country.
“We need the money for climate finance, so how do we get the money. Whatever resources we can mobilise to deal with climate change, we need to do it,” he said.
Mrs Chinyere Igwegbe, Publicity Secretary for AEIAN expressed optimism that the conference would tackle environment and climate issues.
“This conference gives an opportunity for the regulators to ask questions and the various agencies that are our panelists will answer those questions.
“We also have the young ones among us and this is because we want them to be carried along, so that when they go back, they can start looking for indigenous nature based possible to combat this climate change,” she said.