“Katsina State Launches Climate Change Council to Spearhead Environmental Initiatives”
Governor Dikko Umaru Radda of Katsina State has inaugurated the State’s Climate Change Council (SCCC) at the Katsina Government House with the aim of combating climate change and ensuring a sustainable future for the state.
Emphasizing the council’s pivotal role, Governor Radda underscored, “The time is now for us to join the global fight against climate change.” He pledged full support to the council and stressed the urgency of enacting new policies, conducting feasibility studies, and securing funding from both national and international sources.
Following the inauguration, Professor Mohammad Al Amin, Special Envoy on Climate Change, outlined the council’s four main areas of focus. These include empowering Katsina’s youth by creating climate-friendly employment opportunities, tripling the state’s agricultural productivity for food security, addressing water scarcity challenges, and enhancing rural communities’ well-being while safeguarding the environment.
Professor Al Amin also identified the council’s two-pronged strategy as climate adaptation and climate mitigation. Through these approaches, the council aims to implement programs to help communities adapt to climate change impacts and reduce greenhouse gas emissions while promoting environmental health.
Acknowledging the long-term nature of the project, Professor Al Amin highlighted the critical need for securing international funding for success. He expressed confidence that positive environmental, economic, and social changes will be evident within the next 20 months.
Governor Radda will serve as the chair of the SCCC, with the Commissioner for Environment as the vice-chair. The council will comprise representatives from various ministries, including Water Resources, Agriculture, Health, Housing and Transport, Women Affairs, Budget and Economic Planning, and Justice, among others. Additional members include the Katsina State Enterprise Development Agency (KASEDA), the Director-General of the Bureau of Statistics, the Commissioner for Lands and Physical Planning, and representatives of the Erosion and Water Shield Agency.