A Network of Non Governmental Organisations, under the aegis of Intergenerational March for Climate Justice on Monday in Lokoja staged a walk to raise awareness and Sensitisation of the people and policy makers to the activities of miners that have brought about climate change with its effect on the ecosystem health of the people.
Nbani.
This is just as it called on the policy markers and mining companies to develop a just transition plans that will mitigate and reduce the effect of coal and other mining activities on the host Communities.
Melody.
The walk which kicked off from phase 2 , Lokongoma, lokoja, saw the participants matching through the major streets in Lokoja.
Tijani.
While fielding questions from Journalists, comrade Nbani Friday Barilule, Executive Director Lekeh Development Foundation, said the walk is targeted at every body, being mothers, fathers, Children and indeed everybody to raise the consciousness of the people to the evil of indiscriminate mining and other activities that is at the root cause of the climate change.
Network members.
He said the organisations have to embark on the walk to see what can be done collectively to reduce high impact of climate change on the people and the environments.
He noted that for quite a long time people living within the mining sites have unknowingly suffered from various ailments, ranging from cancer, lukemia and infertility without the policy makers and miners being alive to their responsibilities.
According to him, the aim of the walk is to have a conversation as to what should be put on the table to mitigate the impact and effect of the climate change.
He lamented that, although the physical flooding has abated, the effect of it is still with the people as many are unable to regain their livelihood.
He added that the rally today is to seek for climate justice for the people who do not have the wherewithal to seek redress in whatever legitimate means possible.
He assured that the walk will spur the government and the miners to be alive to their responsibilities in putting plans on board that will mitigate and reduce mining activities in communities.
” The walk today is to seek for climate justice for our people. We are here to see what we can do to get justice for the people. What we can put on the table for mitigation and to call on government especially those mining companies whose activities gives room for flooding .” We are equally telling the world that Nigeria should join the rest of the world who are consciously migrating from fossil fuel to renewable energy. Nigeria should imbibe renewable energy which is friendly to the ecosystem. The Mining companies are in business for profit making not minding the hazards on the communities. What we are saying is ,enough is enough and we are demanding for a stop to further funding of fossil fuels projects across the country.
We need to unite to seek justice for them to protect the environment for the future. We are to build their capacity, provide information, organise small group discussion and to raise awareness of the community leaders , faith based leaders and stakeholders to speak out on the harsh reality of climate change .” He alerted
In his contribution, the Executive Director, Socio Economic Research and Development Centre SERDEC Tijani Abdulkareem , decried the attitude of Nigerians who are used to provide solutions to their problems only on papers but not backed up with concrete actions.
He said ,all what the people need now is a definite action on just transitional plans that will mitigate the effect of flooding, climate change on the ecosystem.
He bemoaned the activities of Dangote at the mining sites. at Okaba in Ankpa LGA and across many states without holistic health and environmental strategy that will help the affected communities to cope with the realities.
” We are demanding Dangote to make its logistical plans to just transition and to ensure temperature is gradually being reduced until we get to the 1.5 degree Celsius. Other counties are transiting and they are making it. We urge Dangote to come out with a policy that will change the old order. We should be able to move from fossil to renewable energy and that is the only way to come out of this mess” He suggested.
Earlier, the Nigeria Coal Network, Project Coordinator for the Intergenerational March for climate change, Melody Gold Barry-Tobo, said, unless drastic measures are taken to bring the mining activities to conform to the international best practices, most communities would be displaced and become environmental refugees in their villages.
According to her, climate change is pronounced everywhere , which affects every one without exclusion, urging the people to join the crusade for just transition to renewable energy..
” Every one is affected. We are suffering from its effects. Let everyone come out to say this is not right and we need to change the narrative of what have being done. This Walk is essentially to seek justice for kogi. We want men, women, children to enjoy peace that mother earth provides for the people through natural environment. Unfortunately, climate change has given rise to all forms of sicknesses and diseases.” She lamented.