Foremost women focused Niger Delta non-governmental organization, Kebetkache Women Development and Resource Center February 27 and 28, took awareness sensitization on the negative effects of climate change and adaptation and mitigation processes to some communities in the Port Harcourt axis of Rivers State.
The exercises packaged through trainings on early warning on climate change, climate change mitigation, waste to wealth and renewable energy and the unveiling of manuals on these, are according to the executive director of Kebetkache, Obomowang Emem Okon, the concluding parts of the Climate Action Consortium, a platform of selected civil society organizations working together for enhanced awareness and institutional capacity building in Rivers State. The consortium is trained and sponsored by the European Union
Welcoming Oromenineke Community members to the unveiling ceremony, Emem Okon said the project started a few months ago with the aim of promoting and helping sustain awareness on climate change, how to adapt to it or mitigate to reduce negative consequences especially as the state is prone to some realities like flooding.
She noted that long oil and gas activities and the attendant hazards have exposed Niger Deltans to climate change and the manuals to be unveiled will help create better understanding on what to expect and how to manage climate change as well as introduce them to entrepreneurial opportunities coming up in response to climate change especially in relation to waste management and renewable energy.
The unveiling ceremony was heralded with information dissemination on Climate Change Mitigation, Adaptation and Early Warning Signs, Renewable Energy and Creating Wealth from Waste.
While unveiling the manuals, Patron Victor N. Amadi, CDC chairman of the community, who stood in for the traditional ruler commended Kebetkache for choosing the community for both training and manual unveiling.
He was supported in the unveiling ceremony by the CDC vice chairman Mr Chibuike Omodu, Mrs Roseline Omeodu, the community women leader, Chief Constance Meju, board member Kebetkache and the Kebetkache Ed, Obomgowang Emem Okon.
The Trainings took place at three points – Oromenieke Community Hall, Agudama Street, Kebetkache Women Center Bolo Street, and Support Initiative for Sustainable Development Conference Hall.
After the trainings conducted by Emem, on Climate Adaptation and MitigationI/ Impact Mitigation, some of the trainees pledged to plant mango and mangrove tress to mitigate climate change impact in their localities while another pledged to step down training on climate change in his Obite community.Emem Okon, Mr Isaac Green, Mr Kentebe Ebiakpor and Mr Okoseimeme Joshua, were some of the resource persons for the trainings.
The project was wrapped up with the inauguration of a Climate Change Monitor Group Feb 28, at the Kebetkache Center with a charge to members to help promote actions that will protect the environment.
The new environment champions were charged by the Kebetkache ED to be on alert and ready for further training in future.
