‘Study Coastal Areas Vulnerability To Sea Rise’

The Director of the Climate Change Adaptation Unit of the
Federal Ministry of Environment Dr. Samuel Adejuwon has said that it has become
necessary to map the vulnerability of sea level areas in order to forstall huge
losses in times of flooding and other related issues.

Dr. Adejuwon stated this at a two-day workshop organised by
the UNDP in collaboration with Lagos State Government recently in Lagos. The
theme of the workshop was “Challenges of Sea Level Rise Induced Flooding in
Nigeria; Coastal States in Focus.

The event christened “Climate Change and Coastal States
Dialogue” was attended by Lagos, Delta, Akwa Ibom, Rivers, Cross Rivers, Ondo
and Ogun States.

Dr. Adejuwon while commenting on the presentations said
different coastal states have separate characteristics and that it would be
good to map individual state’s vulnerability.

“We have not been able to really do this. We need to do the
mapping to see the adaptation measures we can put in place in order to combat
the effect of climate change”, he said.

He agreed with the Cross Rivers State Commissioner for
Environment who said there were other factors that cause flooding that should
not be ignored stating that there was need to do research to unearth these
factors, as they were being a exacerbated by climate change.

He advised states, particularly Delta to collaborate will
the federal government in the demand and issuance of environmental impact
assessment certificates.

On the issue of gas flaring, he said it was serious, saying
many flare out dates were set but were not met. He said it would be beneficial
if the nation’s industries could be powered by the gas to create wealth through
clean environment mechanisms.

According to the Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry
of Environment in the office of Building Services, Nureedim Akinsoya, the
concern was about the effect of coastal erosion of the States of Cross River,
Delta, Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Lagos. “The similarity is so enormous”, he said.

He said it was important for these states to continually
share technical information on these issues for them to be mitigated early. He
contended that information sharing could reduce the cost of mitigation as
earlier studies would guide those coming after.

Prof.Niyi Oshuntogun who chaired the first day’s session
while commending the presenters.