By Nasiru Mohammed
The Federal Ministry of Water Resources have organized a two days’ workshop for Integrated Development and Adaptation to Climate Change in the Niger Basin.
The workshop holding at the City Green Hotel Jimeta drew participants from Adamawa, Taraba, Gombe and Bauchi states working in the Federal Ministry of Water Resources as well as that Agriculture.
In his welcome address, the Managing Director of Upper Benue River Basin Development Authority, Engineer Halilu Ma’azu who was represented by a Director in the authority Mr Mustapha Adamu Garkuwa said Climate Change Gender Action Plan is a comprehensive framework within which issues in regard to agriculture, water, forestry and waste management are identified in order to address the climate change.
He revealed that reducing inequalities based on gender and empowering women to participate in socio economic growth are recognized as essential to reducing poverty and achieving development goals within the Niger Basin Authority countries.
The Managing Director acknowledged the Federal Government effort to promote cooperation among member’s countries in ensuring integrated development of resources with the African Development Bank.
Speaking the representative of the Federal Ministry of Water resources, Engineer Baba Inna Musa said the Climate Change Gender Action Plan was designed to focus on Agriculture, Water, Forest and Waste Management among the women as agents of change.
He revealed that the purpose of the workshop is to review and validate the climate change Gender Action Plan and come up with recommendations that will lead to strategic implementation plan.
Engineer Inna explained that climate change has affected all countries around the world, but with different impact between regions.
He stated that in Nigeria, the effect of climate change affected mostly women.
The engineer however, said women are powerful agents of change, but not helpless victims.
He charged participants of the workshop to unite and work together to ensure the success of the Climate Change Action Plan in the country.