By; JACOB ONJEWU DICKSON
Gombe State has seized the opportunity presented by the 28th UN Climate Change Conference (COP28) in Dubai, United Arab Emirates to spotlight its pioneering efforts in addressing local climate challenges while seeking partnerships from the international community.
A statement signed by the DG (Press Affairs) Government House Gombe, Ismaila Uba Misilli, yesterday, said that during the International conference, the Gombe delegation met with global stakeholders on the sidelines of the event.
The presentation made by Gombe at the Nigeria Pavilion centered on the theme “Mobilizing Climate Finance for Innovative Adaptation Themes,” where the State shared experiences, challenges, and sought for collaborations to address environmental concerns in the state as well as proposed solutions related to climate change.
The state also highlighted its steps towards innovative financing mechanisms and its plan to raise its first green bond at the sub-national level, which is a demonstration of a forward-thinking approach to financing climate-related projects.
Represented by key government officials, led by the Commissioner of Water, Environment and Forest Resources, Mohammed Saidu Mohammed Fawu, the delegation engaged with global stakeholders to showcase the successes achieved under Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya’s leadership in environmental restoration and sustainability.
Emphasizing the potential of green bond as a sustainable financing mechanism, Saidu Mohammed Fawu, said Gombe aims to attract investors and build credibility for its green bond to pave the way for the realization of crucial projects focused on adaptation, resilience, and emissions reduction.
He noted that the initiative is in line with the state’s commitment to mitigating climate change impacts, as evidenced by the conversion of street lights to solar power, which he described as a significant step towards reducing carbon emissions.
He explained that Governor Inuwa Yahaya’s administration has made environmental management a top priority, citing the state’s flagship project, the Gombe Goes Green (3G).
He said, “through the 3G initiative, the government is planting approximately 1 million trees annually, reclaiming over 364 hectares of degraded land and actively combating gully erosion.
“Also, the Network-11-100 road revolution project has seen the construction of over 700km of roads, signifying a holistic approach to environmental restoration and infrastructure development”, he added.
The Commissioner of Trade, Industry and Tourism, Nasiru Mohammed Aliyu and the Director-General of Research and Documentation in the Government House, Dr. Muazu Shehu who also spoke, pointed out the commitment of Governor Inuwa Yahaya to sustainability and environmental restoration, particularly emphasizing the need for partnerships that will strengthen the state’s environmental sustainability plan which is an integral part of its development agenda.
The Gombe State delegation, led by Commissioners Muhammad Sa’idu Fawu and Nasiru Aliyu mni, also had Alhaji Kabiru Tsoho, Director-General of the Debt Management Office (DMO), and Dr. Mu’azu Shehu from the Research and Documentation Directorate, among other officials.
