Bayelsa State Governor, Hon. Seriake Dickson gave the advice during the opening of the 5thEnvironment Outreach Magazine Public Lecture and Environmental Awards ceremony in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State with the theme “Climate Change and its effect on the Coastal Communities in Nigeria”.
Seriake Dickson, Bayelsa State Governor
The governor, who was represented by the State Commissioner for Environment, Mr. Iniruo Wills, stated that the problems of the environment are multi-dimensional, complex and quite challenging and therefore needed collective action by all and sundry to tackle.
While commending the Publisher, Chief Noble Akenge for his doggedness and commitment in bringing environmental information to the people of the country through his publication over the years, he said that the state government had put in place measures to contain the negative impacts of the activities of oil and gas companies operating in the state with a view to making them operate with minimum damage to the environment.
Former Head of Service of the Federation, who was also the Chairman of the occasion, Professor Oladapo Afolabi commended Akenge for his initiative which he described as the first of its kind in Nigeria.
He enjoined Nigerians, especially the people of the state to continue to support the laudable efforts of Akenge.
Delivering his paper, the guest lecturer, who is also the Surveyor-General of the Federation Professor Peter Nwilo, gave a graphic description of the problems afflicting the people of the coastal communities as a result of climate change and sea level rise.
Nwilo, who was represented by a former Surveyor-General of Bayelsa State and now Director in the Office of the Surveyor-General of the Federation, Mr. Ebisinte Awudu, advised the government to put in place adequate coping strategies and mechanisms in the event of natural disasters in these communities.
Earlier in his welcome address, Akenge thanked the governor and other dignitaries for participating in this year’s public lecture which he described as a turning point in the history of the magazine.
He called on all Nigerians to support the magazine in its information dissemination drive in view of the dangers posed by human and industrial activities on our environment.
Highlight of the occasion was the presentation of 2014 Environmental Excellence Awards in various categories to Dickson among other deserving persons and institutions across the country.
Thisday Nigeria
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