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The Lagos State governor Mr. Babatunde Fashola, the Minister of Environment Hajia Hadiza Mailafia , Chairman Senate Committee on Environment Senator Bukola Saraki and other stakeholders yesterday raised an alarm over the malignant effects of climate change , saying its rampaging effects could result in imminent displacement of many Nigerians.
The government officials, environmentalists and members of the diplomatic corps who converged on Lagos for the 4th Lagos Climate Change Summit held at the Eko Hotel and Suits unanimously affirmed that the looming desertification in the Northern part of the country and devastating effects of coastal erosion and flooding in Southern Nigeria could cause a major disequilibrium in the settlement pattern of residents in the country if nothing was done to arrest the situation.
Speaking at the summit ,the Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola emphasized that the annual summit on climate change was one of the steps the state government has taken to curb the effects of the global scourge threatening to wipe out humanity.
Fashola at the summit tagged,” Vulnerability And Adaptability To Climate Change In Nigeria” championed by the state government said those that hitherto argued that climate change was a figment, of overactive scientists had in the face of the ever increasing weather extremes witnessed across the globe admitted that the phenomenon posed serious threats.
“Many of us are living witness to living witness to the 16 hours of rainfall in Lagos on July 10 , 2011 and the deaths and destruction left behind. In August last year , on 26th of the month to be precise an unusually heavy rainstorm for that time of the year ravaged some parts of Ibadan , Oyo state resulting in heavy flooding that destroyed many lives and property.
“Already we have been told to expect about 236 days rainfall this year and the intensity of recent rainstorms are pointer to the fact that the rain may fall with even greater fury this year. And this is not limited to Nigeria alone. All over the world, we are waking up almost daily to news of devastation by flooding that experts seems neither able to predict nor explain,” he added.
In her keynote address the Minister of Environment Hajiya Hadiza Mailafia said the menace of the climate change has put many lives at risks causing desertification, erosion, flooding which in turn threatens food security, peace and security of lives and property.
Mailafia lamented that desertification encroaching on many northern states and erosion may soon redefine human settlement equation of the country.
She added that Climate change and global warming currently adding malignant elements to human existence is not only a threat to economic growth and poverty reduction but could jeopardize the realization of the 2020 transformation agenda of the government.
The chairman senate committee on Environment Senator Bukola Saraki who spoke on the role of senate in combating ecological disasters in the country said concerted effort is required to combat the effects of climate change and global warning .
Saraki who was represented Mr. Kingsley Amaku said there is need for the enactment of law to meet the present realities and international standards to effectively tackle the challenges posed by climate change and environmental degradation that may soon render people homeless.
