Govt Tackles Climate Change

Bayelsa State Government says it is taking cautious steps to ensure the minimum effect of climate change in the state in view of its fragile environment. The state governor, Chief Timipre Sylva stated this at a Nigerian Climate Change Investment Forum which was part of the activities at the on going conference on climate change holding in Copenhagen, Denmark. Chief Sylva said that the strategies to be adopted will establish necessary linkages between water security, food security, and energy security. The state, Chief Sylva also said is below sea level and susceptible to castrophic sea rise, pointing out that already its territory is flooded periodically with toxic water and polluted with dangerous gas flaring occasioned with oil spillages. “Aware of the fragility of our environment as we work towards development, our strategy is based on the triple bottom-line of environmental sustainability, social advancement and economic prosperity”, he said. According to him, the state is already in contacts with European Union and other multinational partners, and it is currently exploring agreements on windmill manufacture and water development resources. To this end, he disclosed, the state is investing in energy security through independent power-gas and renewable energy, addressing food security, the development of agriculture and fisheries. He said with such a policy Bayelsa State has become an ideal party for development as attested to by its collaboration with reputable international organisation such as World Bank, and International Monetary Fund (IMF).