Babatunji Wusu –
According to the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), it is utilizing the main energy transition plan sectors to foster the growth of new green jobs and green skill sets.
Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, the Managing Director of the Commission, made the announcement outside of the ongoing COP28 Climate Change Conference in Dubai.
He reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to adopting sustainable energy sources by using doable strategies like eco-friendly inventions and nature-based remedies.
Dr. Ogbuku stated, “Our gathering at COP28 is a reminder of the urgent need for several and collective actions to address the issues of climate change.” He went on to suggest that large investments, partnerships, and teamwork were needed to succeed in this direction.
“The high vulnerability of the region to impacts of climate change and environmental pollution underscores sustainable development for the Niger Delta region,” he said, emphasizing that “the region is one of the most impacted by climate change in Africa due to its high exposure to sea level rise, storm surges, coastal erosion, and river flooding, compounded by increasing human-induced pressures on coastal areas.”
As the head of the NDDC noted, “While the Niger Delta region is a critical ecosystem, rich in natural resource, and a significant contributor to the global economy, this vast resource is intricately interwoven with compounding climate change and environmental issues,” the region’s vulnerability was further exacerbated by oil spills, gas flaring, and environmental degradation.
He continued, saying, “These resources have the leveraging capacity for the shift to a development pathway that is low carbon and climate resilient.”
According to the NDDC MD, the Commission will investigate the four main COP28 themes, which are “technology and innovation, inclusion, frontline communities, and finance.” The NDDC is attending the climate change conference in order to take advantage of the themes’ energy and to look for partnerships in green finance and innovations in order to accelerate green initiatives that aim to keep global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius by 2030.
“NDDC is committed to integrating climate considerations into our operations, development planning, and implementation,” said Ogbuku. Our dedication to national and international direction for carbon neutrality is demonstrated by our theme for this side event, “Green Innovation for Climate-Resilient Development in the Niger Delta Region: A Credible Approach for Net-Zero Target.”
