A non-governmental organisation, Alimat Care Foundation in collaboration with Adamawa Youth activists for Climate Justice on Tuesday, stormed the Adamawa State House of Assembly on an advocacy visit.
Alimat Care Foundation (a Youth-led NGO in Adamawa State) in conjunction with the Adamawa Youth Activists for climate justice and with support from African Activists for Climate Justice (AACJ) organized a Road show to the assembly and demanded among others climate justice for Africa.
The activists held placards with various inscriptions such "Grants and Not Loans", "Climate Finance to the Vulnerable People" "Free Africa from Debt Burden", Debt Swap for Damages" and "Gender Responsive Climate Change"," among others.
This is coming few days to the Conference of the Parties scheduled to hold from 11th to 22nd November, 2024 at Baku in Azerbaijan.
The annual event usually attracts governments from different countries who assemble and table their demands during which negotiations are reached, funds are allocated for intervention.
Speaking while receiving the delegation at the assembly complex, the Speaker Adamawa State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Bathiya Wesley, congratulated them for the advocacy to the assembly.
The Speaker who was represented by the Majority Leader and Member representing Demsa constituency, Hon. Kate Raymond Mamuno, assured that the assembly will amplify the voices of the activists regarding climate change.
He informed them that the assembly has recently enacted a climate change bill and is waiting for Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri's assent, expressing optimism that the Governor will assent on it to make it become law.
He commended the thought provoking messages on placards and assured the delegation of the assembly's readiness to channel their messages to the Federal Government and urged them not to relent in their advocacies.
Speaking earlier, the Leader of the delegation, Ibrahim Bello, said that climate change is a reality and people now live with it in their communities, and attributed drought and flooding in most part of state and neighbouring states to climate change.
Ibrahim Bello, lamented that the developed countries account for a significantly higher percentage of global pollution compared to developing countries.
According to him, the impact of climate change is felt in developing countries more than in developed countries, saying that whenever climate politics and finances are discussed, developing countries are expected to make commitments beyond their contribution to climate change, and even when funds are allocated it comes in the form of favours and loans and Africans are expected to either repay or show gratitude.
He observed that people at the grassroots hardly feel the impact of the climate finance, adding that the road show and the advocacy is to make their voices as local communities, young people heard globally.
He told the Speaker that they want issues raised by the youths to form part and parcel of the discussion or conversation that will take place during this year's meeting at Azerbaijan.
He explained that the state Lawmakers are closer to the people at the grassroots; hence, the need to channel their demands to them so that the world will know that they are aware of the issues and also demand Climate justice for African countries.
He advocated that funding interventions for African Countries should not come as loans but unconditional grants, this way African people and their governments will get to decide how to utilise the funds in order to address the impact of climate change in their communities.
Ibrahim Bello used the opportunity to commend the assembly for passing the bill to Establish a Commission for Climate Change in Adamawa State and its commitment to providing good stewardship, and further thanked the Speaker for the warm reception.
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