NACCIMA Tasks Nigerians On Climate Change, NiMet Warnings

Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), has tasked Nigerians to be more responsive to warnings by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMET) about climate change

Ide John Udeagbala, National President, NACCIMA, made the call at the Chamber’s fourth quarter state of the economy news conference on Thursday in Lagos.

He said the call was due to the continual flooding of various communities in the country and its devastating effects on the economy.

This development, he noted, worsened in early October when River Benue overflowed its banks thereby causing massive ecological damages in Benue, Nassarawa and Kogi respectively.

He said the situation had further deteriorated with the devastating floods observed in the South East, South West (including Lagos) and the South South regions respectively.

“Agriculture and logistics activities were significantly affected; for instance, Olam Farms in Nassarawa State had its 20 million dollars investment in rice farmlands submerged.

“Additionally, the effects of these disasters on the areas where they occurred and the population therein, as well as the threat to the environment cannot be overstated

“The initially scheduled Niger River/Delta dredging should urgently be carried out now to de-silt the riverbed and ensure necessary depth,” he said.

He urged the federal government to comply with necessary prior agreements, particularly with neighbouring countries in construction of counterpart dams and other facilities that were climate control-related to forestall reoccurrence.

Udeagbala added that governments at all levels, together with relevant agencies, should put in place measures to support affected businesses within their jurisdiction.

He further stated that Nigerians and private businesses must take climate change seriously, particularly the need to minimise carbon dioxide emissions.

“These occurrences have also revealed the possible implications of disregarding Sustainable Development Goals 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) and 13 (Climate Action), which are manifesting globally particularly in African nations and Nigeria.

“Surely, there are natural disasters in other climes but they are usually better managed through proactive steps to ensure minimal damages to both human and material resources and to protect investments

“We empathise with all affected communities and businesses and are ready to cooperate with the Federal Government to set an appeal fund in aid of the victims, both individual and/or corporate.

“We also take this opportunity to appreciate the United States government on its recent announcement to provide 1 million dollars in immediate humanitarian assistance to Nigerians affected by the recent flooding.

“We urge all the authorities to ensure that all ecological funds should be judiciously applied,” he said.