CSOs, MDAs Trained On Ways To Access Green Climate Fund In Nigeria

 

By

Pius Dukor

Civil Society Organisations and Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) in Rivers State have been trained on how to access Green Climate Fund  and Nationally Determined Contribution by the National Council on Climate Change. 

The three days event took place in Port Harcourt the capital city of Rivers State 

In her presentation, Benedita Ejiefor, one of the event's resource person, delivering on the Overview of the Green Climate Fund: Modalities for accessing it explained that the Green Climate Fund was developed to provide support to developing Countries to adapt to impact of climate change.

He noted  that the National Designated Authority (NDA), is the government  authorised institution supervising the funding process of each country. 

She tasked both CSOs and government agencies to take advantage of the funding process in Green Climate Fund to do projects that will promote climate change action in Nigeria with the aim of reducing emissions in the country.

Ejiofor while stated that Nigeria status with GCF have approved over 16 projects in-country however remarked that some of the challenges of low access to Green Climate Fund include but not limited to: poor project concept, lack of capacity and complex application procedures, 

In her presentation, Amudi Chioma stated that mitigation and adaptation must be cross-cutting for economic and social transformation with low carbon emissions. She stressed that community based knowledge, culture and values must accommodate best practices to reduce emissions. 

Amudi emphasized on the need for implementation of climate change policies to bridge the gap between the people and government policies. She tasked citizens to hold their leaders accountable when policies, concepts and programmes are not implemented or implemented properly.

Earlier, the Executive Director of Kebetkache Women Development and Resource Centre, Dr. Emem Okon in her welcome address stated that the training was an outcome of the organisation's learning,  linking and exchange programme which was supported by Global Alliance for Gender and Green Action ( GAGGA). 

Okon noted that her organisation invited the National Council on Climate Change to train both government officials and Civil Society Organisations on how to access Green Climate Fund to reduce the predicament associated with climate change.

She expressed optimism that the training will provide a platform for interaction with NCC on accessing the green climate fund, gaining deeper understanding of green climate fund and NDC stating that the organisation has been top on campaigns for climate finance for local communities. 

Also Speaking, Ayodeji Falemu in his presentation on Gender and Climate in Nigeria throw emphasis on the call to Nigerian government to be more serious on the issue of climate change as communities are still suffering from gas flares, flooding and pollution association with.

Falemu called for less cumbersome methods in accessing the climate change fund.