We are ready to partner your type, Edo Govt tells HPECDI
The Edo State Government has expressed it's readiness to partner a non governmental organisation, Health Promotion Education and Community Development Initiative (HPECDI) and 350 Nigeria.org to ensure a total transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy so as to prevent climate change crisis.
The commissioner for environment and sustainability, Omoua Alonge Oni-Okpaku made this known while receiving members of the group who matched from Museum Ground, King Square to her office to seek the ministry's collaboration in actualizing a cleaner environment.
Addressing the gathering through it's permanent Secretary, Mr Lucky Wasa, the commissioner said that over the years, Edo State has demonstrated it's readiness and willingness to support a healthier and friendlier environment.
He said that the ministry have been engaging youth in the protection and preservation of the environment in line with the state government's 'keep Edo Clean' project.
He noted that transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy is actualizable, though it was going to be a gradual process, while assuring the group of government's support.
Speaking during the rally, the Coordinator HPECDI, Charity Aienobe-Asekharen said that AfrikaVuka rally in Benin City is to raise the consciousness of the Edo people and government on the urgent need to transit to renewable energy.
According to her, "The AfrikaVuka Event is a platform to fast track a fossil free society through collaborating bodies; community after community and state after state.AfrikaVuka targets African Nations to wake up to the demands and responsibility required to mitigate the effects of climate change and promote initiatives that drive renewable energy".
"While we are aware that this transition will not be immediate, we are ready to work with the Ministry of Environment and by extension the Edo State Government to actualize it because it is a reliable and effective means to sustainable development.
"To encourage a just and fast transition to 100% renewable energy the people of Edo State must be carried along. To this end, we are proposing a training of trainers program. Edo youths who would in turn train others would be trained to build and install energy gadgets, solar panels and other renewable energy materials using a community based approach.This approach would serve a dual purpose that is highly advocated by the Edo State Government in it's Entrepreneurship and Sustainable Development program.
"For a fast and just transition to 100% renewable energy to be realized all hands must be put to work" she said.
She revealed the rally involved a peaceful advocacy march from Museum Ground at King's Square to The Ministry of Environment where the NGO submitted it's demands in writing and aired their views on 100% transition to renewable energy. Said her, "We march against extraction of fossil fuels and it's accompanying pollution of the environment".
Students from various Schools were also in attendance to display their passion for a fossil free Nigeria through, craft and science exhibitions.
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