BY GEORGE OKOJIE, Lagos
Amid adverse impacts of climate change, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Tuesday said his administration would continue to strive to protect residents from the negative impact of global warming.
Speaking at the 9th International Climate Change Summit, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who was represented by his deputy, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, said his administration has recognized that inaction in the face of the devastating impact of Climate Change is not an option.
He said: “No one will be left untouched. Even worse is the impact on the most vulnerable among us: Women, Children, Persons living with Disabilities, the poor. These categories of people are bound to disproportionately bear the brunt of extreme weather events.
“The Lagos State government, under my watch, is in constant discussion with the private sector, development partners and donor organizations, to find solutions and ways to better adapt to climate impact, with special emphasis on protecting women, children and people with disabilities.
This conference is one of the many manifestations of our keenness to engage and collaborate.”
He said that state has also embarked on the journey of updating its development plan, incorporating climate adaptation and mitigation components in each sector, adding that,’’ We also have the Lagos Climate Action Plan, which requires adopting and mainstreaming into all that we do: our policy-making, as the public sector, and your business and investment strategies as the private sector.
In his address, the state’s Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr Tunji Bello, said going by the experiences of countries across the globe a with extreme weather events, ranging from heat waves to extreme storms, sea level rise, droughts, floods and wildfires as a result of increasing greenhouse gas concentrations, it has become more expedient for the government, leaders of thought, organized private sector and individuals to embark on deliberate and consistent efforts to combat the climate change crisis.
