ABUJA/Nigeria: The National Assembly has resolved to collaborate with Liberia and other African nations to develop sustainable solutions to the devastating effects of climate change across the continent.
Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ecology and Climate Change, Senator Seriake Dickson, gave the assurance during a meeting with a delegation from Liberia. The delegation, led by Dr. Moses Ama, Head of Red Cross, Federal Ministry of Environment, and Nora Bowier, Deputy Managing Director of the Forestry Development Agency, visited Nigeria to discuss climate resilience and environmental sustainability.
Senator Dickson emphasized the urgency of international cooperation in tackling climate change, stressing that the environment is a collective heritage that requires joint action. He commended the Liberian government’s commitment to addressing climate threats and acknowledged the immense challenges posed by climate change, including rising sea levels, desertification, and deforestation.
“As you all know, climate change is a major challenge. African nations must put on their thinking caps and respond appropriately, especially now that some countries are becoming increasingly isolationist. This means political leadership across Africa must unite to find lasting solutions and adopt a common approach to these challenges,” Dickson stated.
The former Bayelsa State governor, who represents Bayelsa West Senatorial District, highlighted the severe impact of climate change on Nigeria’s diverse regions. He pointed out that coastal communities in the Niger Delta and Lagos face threats from rising sea levels, while erosion continues to ravage communities in the East, swallowing farmlands and displacing people. He also noted the rapid desert encroachment affecting the northern region, leading to the displacement of farmers, herders, and fishermen, which in turn fuels social and economic conflicts.
“We are losing arable land, Lake Chad is drying up, and communities are being forced to migrate. These issues demand a collective response. The environment is a shared heritage of mankind, and we must work together to address the consequences of environmental abuse, including gas flaring, deforestation, and pollution,” he added.
Dickson lauded Nigeria’s legislative strides in climate action, particularly the enactment of the Nigeria Climate Change Act, which he described as one of the earliest and most comprehensive climate laws in Africa. He encouraged Liberia and other African nations to study the Nigerian model and consider similar legislative frameworks to guide their environmental policies.
“We are still working on fully operationalizing the Climate Change Act, including the establishment of the Climate Fund. Legislative progress has been made, but we must take further steps to ensure effective implementation,” he stated.
The senator outlined three key areas of focus in the climate agenda: preservation and protection of natural resources, transition to clean and renewable energy, and financing mechanisms for sustainable adaptation. He stressed the need for African nations to collaborate in securing funding for renewable energy projects, technology transfer, and capacity building to support climate adaptation strategies.
Expressing appreciation to the Liberian delegation and other agencies involved in environmental conservation, Dickson encouraged stronger partnerships between African nations. He proposed expanding regional cooperation to include more African countries, ensuring that ministers, parliamentarians, and environmental agencies continuously exchange ideas and best practices.
“I commend the Liberian delegation for engaging with us. It is crucial that our parliamentarians understand the challenges faced by the executive arms in addressing climate change so that legislative interventions can be more effective. We look forward to future engagements, including reciprocal visits to Liberia to further deepen this collaboration,” he stated.
Other members of the Senate Committee present at the meeting included Senator Adetokunbo Abiru (Lagos East), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Banking, Insurance, and Forex; Minority Whip, Senator Osita Ngwu (Enugu West); and Senator Victor Umeh (Anambra Central).
