The Foundation for Partnership Initiatives in the Niger Delta…

The Foundation for Partnership Initiatives in the Niger Delta,(PIND) has advocated climate-friendly peace-building initiatives in the Niger Delta.

Key Highlights

• The Foundation for Partnership Initiatives in the Niger Delta (PIND) has called for climate-sensitive peacebuilding initiatives to address growing insecurity in the Niger Delta.
• The appeal was made during a Policy Roundtable on Advancing Climate Resilience, Climate-Sensitive Peacebuilding and Human Security in the Niger Delta held in Port Harcourt.
• Participants included representatives of NGOs, civil society organisations, government agencies, climate-affected communities, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the media.
• Stakeholders identified ocean surges, flooding, livelihood destruction, hunger, poverty, migration, theft and violence as some of the major impacts of climate change in the region.

The group made the advocacy on Thursday in Port Harcourt, at a forum tagged: “Policy Roundtable on Advancing Climate Resilience, Climate-Sensitive Peace-building and Human Security in the Niger Delta.”

At the forum attended by representatives of non- governmental organizations, civil society organizations, government agencies, climate impacted communities, the United Nations Development Programme and the media, the stakeholders deliberated on the impact of climate change and its trickle-down effects across communities in the Niger Delta.

The stakeholders observed that a lot of hazards like ocean surge, flooding, livelihood destruction, hunger, poverty and social vices such as migration, stealing, violence and other forms of insecurity witnessed in the Niger Delta are linked to climate change.

They therefore called for concerted efforts, institutionalized strategic measures, environment – friendly policies and transparent governance approach to mitigate the menace of climate change and its impact on Niger Delta riverine communities.

David Udofia, Peacebuilding Programme Manager, Foundation for Partnership Initiatives in the Niger Delta, lamented that climate change had become one of the defining geo-economic factors in the Niger Delta.

He said recurrent climate change-induced floods expose affected individuals to forced migration to safe, upland areas, survival of the fittest syndrome marked by stiff competition for available scarce resources in refugee areas, as well as frictions, quarrels and conflicts resulting from such competitions.

“Environmental degradation can destroy livelihoods. Climate change is no longer an environmental issue alone. It is also an economic issue; it is a governmental issue. Most importantly, it is a human security issue,” he said.

Udofia decried the non-inclusion of data and local intelligence strategy in climate change policy formuation efforts by governments in the fight against the menace, noting that synergy with all stakeholders is very crucial for fruitful results to be achieved.

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A university don, Prof. Olanrewaju Lawal, in his speech, advocated for a paradigm shift from reactive to proactive measures in dealing with climate and environment-related hazards in the Niger Delta Region.

Sharing his community’s experience, Ebijimi Olugbenga, from Bijimi, in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State, said ocean surge and flooding caused by climate change had washed away some communities, inflicting pain on households and destroying livelihoods.

“Our livelihoods depend on the land and water, but flooding and environmental degradation are making it increasingly difficult for families to farm, fish and earn money,” he lamented.

Highlight of the roundtable . include demonstration of PIND’s newly deployed climate data filter on the Niger Delta Peace Map, which integrates climate-related information into conflict analysis and early-warning processes.

The tool is expected to help policymakers identify emerging risks, strengthen anticipatory action and make prompt, evidence-based decisions.