By Shindong Bala; Editing by Basirat Memudu
The Kaduna State Government has reactivated its early warning and early response mechanisms as part of renewed efforts to mitigate the impact of climate change and related environmental challenges across the state.
The State Commissioner for Information, Ahmed Maiyaki, disclosed this while receiving members of Earthwell Climate Change Environmental Initiative in his office in Kaduna.
Mallam Maiyaki said climate change remains closely linked to poverty, land degradation and conflicts over land ownership and usage, stressing that the state government had continued to adopt proactive measures aimed at reducing environmental and socio-economic risks associated with climate change.
According to him, prevention remains less costly than managing disasters after they occur, noting that early intervention strategies have helped the State reduce the impact of environmental and communal crises.
The commissioner revealed that Kaduna State previously recorded about 68 land-related disputes involving individuals and groups, adding that government interventions had successfully resolved 65 of the cases through proactive engagement and conflict management mechanisms.
He further stated that about two million residents had so far benefited from the free Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses introduced by the state government, describing the initiative as part of measures aimed at reducing poverty and cushioning the effects of climate change on citizens.
Mallam Maiyaki welcomed the environmental organisation’s initiative and pledged government’s readiness to collaborate with the group in promoting sustainable environmental policies and climate resilience programmes in the State.
Earlier, the Coordinator of Earthwell Climate Change Environmental Initiative, Rashidat Olatunji Niyi, said the organisation was focused on afforestation and the promotion of biodiversity as key strategies for reducing the impact of climate change.
She stressed the need for stronger collaboration with the Ministry of Information and other relevant stakeholders to achieve lasting environmental sustainability.
