A group, under the auspices of Africa Infrastructure, Climate change and Investment Summit (AICIS) Committee, says it is taking steps to mitigate the effects of climate change towards achieving infrastructural development on the Africa continent.
To achieve this, the group is bringing together key stakeholders to brainstorm on the issues around climate change at a summit in Washington DC, United States of America, between Oct. 30 and Nov. 2, 2023.
Speaking at a news conference in Abuja on Wednesday, October 18, 2023, Chairman of the committee, Mr Moses Owharo, disclosed that the planned summit is a Pan-African summit.
Owharo stated that the summit is aimed at mobilising stakeholders across Africa landscape especially Nigeria, to access developmental funds from the international community in order to tackle the challenges of infrastructure rot and Investment downturn on African continent.
He disclosed that the primary aim is to rally African stakeholders and governments to leverage green climate financing to tackle challenges associated with rot and downturn in the areas of investments, infrastructure and disaster management.
“Climate change covers a wide range of issues inclusive of power generation, alternative energy, hydro-electric facility for Agricultural purposes, water/dam reticulation to fight deforestation in the sub-Sahara Africa, East Africa, North Africa and Southern Africa within the next five years.
“Environmental impact assessment on climate, soil, livestock’s inclusive of fauna/flora, green vegetation/green belt replenishment.
“Nigeria and other African countries, as signatories to the Paris Agreement (PA), recognised that the transition to low-emission development is indispensable for achieving sustainable economic growth.
“It will also reduced greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and other social, economic, and environmental benefits cannot be over emphasised,” Owharo said.
He said that in addition to the Nationally Determined Contribution (NDCs) that outlines climate actions until 2030, the Paris, Agreement, under Article 4.19, calls for all parties to strive and formulate, communicate worldwide on LT-LEDS.
He said that AICIS focuses on providing a platform with a clear sense of direction to all stakeholders for a well-managed transition to a low-carbon economy that grows in all sectors, creating new jobs and economic opportunities.
Owharo stated that AICIS would promote sustainable development and guarantee a climate-proofed economic development through multi-stakeholder engagement in the national development plans.
He said that it would also contribute immensely to laying a solid foundation for Nigeria and the rest of Africa towards the global objective of climate neutrality, climate resilient society with knowledge-driven and a paramount digital economy.
Owharo said that African countries would build on AICIS initial long-term vision to develop a long-term strategy for action and implementation.
According to him, in this challenging environment, it is pivotal to implement bold policies and actions.
He therefore called for multi-sector participation and a deepen stakeholders collaboration in achieving specific goals to integrate Nigeria with active roles in Africa infrastructure development, climate change and Investment perspective and leadership in African countries.
Prof. Sunday Ogunduyile, the Former Vice Chancellor, Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology, Okiti-Pupa, Ondo State, stated that Investment in climate change issues would make a solid contribution to the growth of Nigeria.
Ogunduyile, a member of the committee, urged all Nigerians particularly stakeholders to support the initiative of transforming climate change effects for infrastructural benefits of Nigeria.
Dr Fatima Damagudu, an aide to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, noted that climate change is one of the mandates of President Bola Tinubu, while urging everybody to key in into the idea of supporting climate change issues.
Mr Faith Oniuwherin, Managing Director, Joeta and Sons Limited, stated that the upcoming submit would be a eye opener, and that it would lead to the development of African continent at large.
By Aderogba George
