By CHARLES IWUOHA

Ebonyi State Government has clinched the third position in the Climate Governance Performance Ranking of the 36 states of Nigeria, 2024 of the Federal Ministry of Environment.

Organised by the Department of Climate Change of the ministry in conjunction with the Society for Planet and Prosperity (SPP).

The event award, which was held in Abuja on Friday is a tool for motivation, collaboration, and accountability, thus highlighting and identifying the best practices and areas of improvement for a healthy competition among states and local governments in the country.

Reacting on the laurels on Saturday in Abakaliki, the Commissioner for Environment in the state, Hon Victor Chukwu, who received the award on behalf of Governor Francis Nwifuru, said Ebonyi State latest position in the climate governance performance after Lagos State, was an indication that much has been done at ensuring it remained the Greenest state in country.

He commended Governor Nwifuru for working assiduously to ensure the impacts of climate change were drastically mitigated in the state.

"I am sure that in the coming months thousands or millions of trees will be planted across all the nooks and crannies of Ebonyi," he said, adding: "Here comes the award winning Ebonyi State in the national Climate Governance Performance ranking.

"Ebonyi State is the first in the South-East, the second in Southern Nigeria and, the third in the entire country. Thank you, my Governor for your leadership ingenuity that has brought us this laurels. congratulations to Ndị Ebonyi.

"It was a great delight to stand in for my principal, leader and father of our great state to receive on behalf of our state an award as the third position in climate governance performance rating in Nigeria.

"This is so important as the climate change issue is a global emergency. It is heart-warming to see that the efforts of our dear governor have attracted us this honour. His commitment to a healthier environment is directly a prove of his honest efforts to achieving the Peoples Charter of Needs mantra.Everyone needs a safe environment; and it is easier to achieve this, when we all do what we are supposed to do."

He added: "I am happy, though, not completely because we didn't come first; but, looking at the state that came first (Lagos) you will agree with me that we did our best.

"The government is already doing a lot to assist in the issues of climate change through efforts like the drainages to combat flooding; aggressive tree planting; the recycling plant that is ongoing, reforestation in the state to mention but, a few.

"And without prejudice to our budget provision, I am sure that in the coming months thousands or millions of trees will be planted accordingly in the state.

"The state has a very formidable structure on ground. First, the legal framework through the climate change laws are spearheaded; two, the implementation structure where the governor is the lead and, I am following the lead player in the climate change team of the state to ensure concrete results.

"There is also an interministerial committee where other key ministries collaborate with our ministry for effective performance."

The Minister of Environment, Balarabe Lawal, had during the climate governance performance award, said, "Lands in coastal communities are devastated by erosion while desertification is rampant in the Northern region of the country.

"The sub-national governments are often at the forefront of implementing policies and actions that directly affect the lives and livelihoods of the people at the grassroots level, therefore, their role in driving climate action is indispensable.”