The Kano State Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project (Kano-NEWMAP), State Ministry of Environment and the State House of Assembly held a retreat on a bill for the establishment of Kano State Watershed, Erosion and Climate Change Management Agency (WECCMA).
The activity was scheduled to hold between 16th-17th December, 2021 at Bafra International Hotel, Kaduna.
Prior to the declaration open the session in his address, Speaker, Rt. Hon. Engr.Hamisu Ibrahim Chidari said that Kano State House of Assembly will give priority to the bill to facilitate its swift passage into Law, considering the numeral environmental challenges like erosion, desertification, Flooding and climate change whom remain active towards paralyzing the environment.
In his welcome address, the State Commissioner of Environment, Dr. Kabiru Ibrahim Getso said that the objective of the session is to review a bill for the establishment of an agency that will be vested with the responsibility of managing issues of environmental degradation, and climate change as it affect the State.
Adding that when that is achieved, will streamline aimed at mitigating the negative effect of climate change, accelerate agricultural and infrastructural development which will in extension, serve as a window for accessing support from donor agencies.
On his part, the National Project Coordinator (NEWMAP) Dr. Salisu Dahiru who was represented by the Water Resources Specialist Mr. Anda Yalaks stated ” Kano State today is making a history to joining other project participating States that have walked through this process of passing a law to establish NEWMAP agency that will take after the Newmap”.
“That was part of what has been advocated by the sponsors of the NEWMAP (the World Bank)that each participating State should establish an agency that will sustain the legacy left behind for the Management of land and environmental degradation.”
“Ten Out of 23 participating States of the NEWMAP have already established the Agency while the remaining 13 reached an advanced stages of the processes Kano State inclusive by bringing the key actors and players here today (the Honorable members of the State House of Assembly) on a retreat in order to fashion out this bill to meet the terms of Environment in the area of sustainability.”
The issue of climate change is no longer a news it is clear seen on what is happening in the environment in terms of temperature rise, increasing and decreasing rainfall and in both ways disturbed the nation, adding that with the establishment of the agency major environmental challenges will be addressed”, he added.
The State Project Coordinator Kano-NEWMAP Alhaji Musa Shuaibu made a presentation during the session on the rationale for Watershed, Erosion and Climate Change Management Agency (WECCMA).
Participants comprised of the members Kano State House of Assembly top officials of the Ministry the SPMU staff among others.
Maryam Abdulqadir
C.O
Kano-NEWMAP
