By Suleiman Abubakar Rimi Uku, Lafia
Stakeholders in the environment sector have advocated for the formulation of workable and people-friendly policies to tackle climate change through effective adaptation and mitigation strategies in Nasarawa State.
This position emerged during a one-day public hearing on the Nasarawa State Climate Change Bill, held at the State Assembly Complex in Lafia, where lawmakers, environmental experts, civil society actors, and government officials converged to deliberate on the proposed legislation.
Declaring the hearing open on behalf of the Speaker of the Nasarawa State House of Assembly, Hon. Dr. Danladi Jatau, the member representing Doma South, Hon. Musa Ibrahim Abubakar, condemned the rising negative human activities that endanger both human and animal life and contribute to the destruction of the ecosystem.
He emphasized the need for deliberate legislative action to mitigate the escalating effects of climate change.
“Climate change has become a global concern, and Nasarawa State cannot afford to stand aloof. This public hearing is a step toward enacting laws that will place the state on the path of sustainability and resilience,” he said.
The Climate Change Bill, a private member bill sponsored by the Chairman of the House Committee on Housing and Environment, Hon. Mohammed Adamu Omadefu, is being developed in partnership with Global Initiative for Food Security and Ecosystem Preservation (GIFSEP) and OXFAM.
Hon. Omadefu, while addressing the press, noted that the bill is aimed at institutionalizing climate actions in the state and accessing international climate financing. “With this bill, Nasarawa will be eligible to benefit from global funds meant to tackle climate challenges,” he added.
During the hearing, Dr. David Michael, Executive Director of GIFSEP, described Nasarawa State as highly vulnerable to climate change due to unchecked human and industrial activities.
He called for urgent action to implement people-centered climate policies that prioritize environmental sustainability.
Former Majority Leader of the Assembly and ex-Commissioner, Hon. Abdulhameed Kwarra, commended the bill sponsor and recommended the establishment of a Climate Change Advisory and Policy Formulation Committee to guide implementation efforts.
He also pointed out that the bill could help address herder-farmer conflicts linked to migration in search of greener pastures.
Other speakers, including the Director General of the State Waste Management Authority, Hon. Muhammad Bello Isa, Director General of NEWMAP, Barnabas Usman, and ACReSAL representative, Abdullahi Yusuf Agwai, emphasized the need for inter-agency synergy to ensure smooth enforcement of the proposed law and to avoid overlapping responsibilities.
Alhassan Adamu Hussaini, CEO of Ecosphere Blue Green Solutions, alongside other participants, highlighted critical issues such as deforestation, bush burning, river blockage, and indiscriminate waste disposal as key factors worsening the state’s vulnerability to climate change. They called for strict regulation and public awareness.
The representative of the Ministry of Environment revealed that a state climate policy is already in place and proposed the creation of three committees: a Climate Change Committee, a Steering Committee, and an Advisory Committee to drive implementation.
In his submission, environmental advocate Murtala Muhammad Adogi proposed the introduction of carbon tax incentives for farmers to encourage tree planting and reduce emissions from heavy industrial machinery.
Concluding the session, the Member representing Nasarawa Eggon West, Hon. Abel Bala, appreciated the robust contributions from stakeholders and assured that the Assembly would integrate all recommendations into a comprehensive and impactful bill.
The hearing witnessed wide participation from ministries, departments, agencies, NGOs, community-based organizations, and individuals.
Participants emphasized the need for mobilizing financial and technical resources to integrate climate change policies into development plans for sustainable growth and environmental protection.
The consensus was clear: without urgent intervention, continued deforestation and environmental abuse would spell doom for the state’s future.
The hearing ended with a renewed commitment to making climate action a legislative priority in Nasarawa State.
