UNFCC COP 15 was held at Copenhagen in 2009,more than 1200 local governments representative from 250 cities all over the world came together and their message was simple: do not underestimate our voice as local elected leaders ,our willingness and power to act and our ability to mobilize.we are government leaders representing billions of people in our communities who have long demanded action.Engage us,empower us and resource us:include us in agreements in our common fight against climate change.
According to the book: Mobilizing local government for climate action-raising awareness and building capacity by Community Conservation and Development Initiative ,yaba local government was assessed based on these issues.transport ,sea level rise, public health,fuel efficiency stove, waste management, enegy efficiency in buildings,food security and urban agiculture,urban greening and open space,waste management and eco budget etc
It is expedient to note that all these issues were extensively discussed at a workshop held by Community Conservation and Development Initiative,and one of the recommendations that was made was that communication and coordination between the state government,its parastatal and local government must be improved .Local government should be more involved in decision making about state government and parastal activity within the their community .
There is a need for public private partnership to construct a jetty within the local government specifically in Makoko .Assistance in fish farming ,purchase of boats and fishing gears and credit facility is also needed.This will help the local government generate more fund .
As i take a look some of these issues bothering on climate change in Yaba local government,i feel there is a need to echo the words of these community leaders at Copenhagen 2009.Yaba local government needs to be empowered in order for the fight agianst climae change to be won at the grass roots level.
''Engage us,empower us and resource us''.
OLALEYE TAIWO- @greenernaija
I definitely agree with your stance on the call for most federal and state laws to be relaxed so as to catalyse more avenues for income generation in local councils; however, to me,if citizens in local councils really play their active roles towards civic responsibilities, they would indirectly challenge and accelerate individual empowerment without government's assistance. Adequate Empowerment starts from within.
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