By; Mohammed Kawu, Bauchi
Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed has reiterated his administration’s readiness towards supporting the North East Development Commission (NEDC) in its current drive towards tackling climate change for sustainable future development of the Northeast subregion.
Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed in a keynote address at the opening ceremony of the maiden climate change summit organized by the NEDC in Gombe extended his heartfelt congratulations to commission for spearheading the initiative.
The Governor noted that the commission’s efforts towards fostering a protected environment through the implementation of its North East Stabilisation and Development Master Plan is commendable and indeed vital for the region’s future development.
Mohammed, who was represented by his deputy, Rt. Hon. Auwal Mohammed Jatau, said that the North East Stabilisation and Development Master Plan is a testament to the NEDC’s commitment to addressing the challenges of climate change—such as erratic weather patterns, desertification, and diminishing water resources.
He explained that the comprehensive master plan is not just a strategic document, but a blueprint for action that integrates environmental protection with sustainable development, stressing that the plan will help in safeguarding the environment and ensuring that the economic development does not come at the expense of the natural heritage.
Governor Bala noted that Bauchi state along with neighboring states in the subregion stands to benefit immensely from the implementation of the commission’s plan as it offers a framework for enhancing agricultural practices, and improving the overall quality of life of the people.
“As we are aware, climate change is one of the most significant challenges of our time. Its impacts are being felt across the globe. However, here in the Northeast sub-region, we face unique vulnerabilities that demand targeted and innovative solutions”.
According to him, the harsh realities of climate change, such as erratic weather patterns, desertification, and diminishing water resource requires concerted and proactive response, especially from all stakeholders.
“As we gather here today, let us also acknowledge the role of each one of us in this collective effort. The challenges we face are significant, but with collaborative action and innovation, we can turn these challenges into opportunities for positive change.”
Mohammed also reassured of Bauchi state government’s commitment towards working hand-in-hand with the North East Development Commission and other partners in the region to ensure the successful implementation of the master plan so as to foster a resilient and sustainable environment that supports both the current and future needs.
The Managing Director of the North East Development Commission (NEDC), Mohammed Goni Alkali had earlier said the climate change summit was organized to among other things, coordinate action for an integrated response to climate challenges and bridge policy and governance gaps in the sector.
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