Governor Alex Otti of Abia State has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to addressing climate change, expressing willingness to collaborate with stakeholders to advance sustainable environmental practices across the state.
This assurance was given during a courtesy visit by a delegation from the Foreign Commonwealth & Development Office - Partnership for Agile Governance and Climate Change (FCDO-PAGE) to the Governor at his office in Umuahia, as disclosed by his Chief Press Secretary, Ukoha Njoku Ukoha, in a Facebook post.
Governor Otti described the visit as timely, saying partnering with experts like the FCDO-PAGE would support Abia’s efforts in finding practical and sustainable solutions to the climate crisis. He stressed that environmental issues require strategic, results-oriented approaches rooted in sound policy execution and measurable outcomes.
“We will engage with your team, review the proposals, and come up with practical solutions,” Otti said. “Our administration is based on planning, discipline, and measurable impact. We are committed to tackling climate change through partnerships and evidence-based strategies.”
He also noted that unregulated industrial and economic activities, particularly from the private sector, remain major contributors to environmental degradation. While acknowledging the existence of well-crafted policy documents dating back decades, the governor lamented their poor implementation, which has undermined Nigeria’s climate progress despite having capable professionals and frameworks.
Otti called for careful and inclusive planning in the transition to renewable energy, stressing the need for institutional structures that ensure long-term sustainability and efficiency in environmental governance.
Speaking during the meeting, Abia’s Commissioner for Environment, Mr. Philemon Asonye Ogbonna, praised the governor’s proactive stance on climate issues. He noted that under Otti’s leadership, the state has created a Climate Change Department and hosted statewide engagements on environmental sustainability.
Ogbonna added that Abia’s efforts have earned national and international recognition, including ranking 8th among Nigeria’s 36 states for climate change initiatives and a recent selection by UNIDO for a circular economy award. He also disclosed that Abia has participated in global climate forums and is scheduled to attend another major environmental event in Germany.
In his remarks, the National Team Lead of FCDO-PAGE, Mr. Ifeanyi Peters Ugwuoke, commended Governor Otti’s governance style and climate leadership. He explained that FCDO-PAGE, a UK Government initiative, works at the nexus of governance reform and climate resilience, offering support in areas like climate finance, green budgeting, and policy integration.
Ugwuoke applauded Otti’s two-year track record and pledged FCDO-PAGE’s readiness to work with the Abia State Government. He described the partnership as part of the broader bilateral engagement between the United Kingdom and Nigeria, which has spanned over two decades.
“We are impressed by your transparent and visionary leadership. Your administration’s priorities align with international best practices on climate governance,” Ugwuoke stated.
The meeting is expected to kick-start a broader collaboration aimed at positioning Abia State as a model for climate-responsive governance in Nigeria.
Leave a Reply