The Abia State ministry of environment says it will collaborate with the Centre for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD), a non-governmental organisation, to promote disability-inclusive climate change policy and programmes.

The commissioner, Philemon Ogbonna, made the pledge when a delegation from CCD visited him in his office in Umuahia on Friday.

The policy is expected to guide Abia’s transition to a low-carbon economy, promote sustainable land use, and attract development partnerships.

Mr Ogbonna, who said that CCD formed a major part of the ministry’s climate change programme, assured the group that it would be carried along in its activities.

He said that the Department of Climate Change was created by the current administration of Gov. Alex Otti and that one of the governor’s declarations was that no part of the state would be left unattended.

He said that the climate change policy was undergoing technical review, which, he said, must be done before the validation exercise.

According to him, as soon as we get that done, we will let you know the dates and programmes we are going to put in place for the validation.

Mr Ogbonna continued: “We will do the best we can to make sure that you are greatly and deeply involved in the programme of developing the policy of the state.

“The first review came and some of the things were spotted.

“So, the policy we are going to have, we are going to do the best we can to ensure at least minimum acceptable standard.

“But, rest assured that we are going to work as a team and make sure that we get the best that will work for all of us.”

Earlier, the acting director, CCD, Godwin Unumeri, said that the purpose of the visit was to strengthen the partnership with the ministry in promoting inclusivity in the state.

Mr Unumeri said that the group proposed joint coordination of planning of the policy validation workshop, as well as mobilisation of persons with disabilities (PWDs) across different clusters for active participation.

He also requested the ministry to  identify areas the group could provide logistical and technical support to enable full participation of PWDs in the workshop, as well as the proposed date and joint planning for the validation.

Mr Unumeri recalled that the group, in its previous collaboration, had worked closely with the ministry through its two climate change projects, with support from the Disability Rights Fund.

“CCD appreciates its long-standing partnership with the ministry and remains committed to working with it towards ensuring that Abia delivers a climate change policy that truly reflects the needs and contributions of PWDs,” Mr Unumeri said.

(NAN)