South-South Governors.
Goddy Egene
In a renewed determination to strengthen their regional economy, South-south States of Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Edo and Delta (BRACED states), under the auspices of the BRACED Commission, have engaged a team of environmental experts to visit the six states to conduct impact assessment of pollution on the communities.
The Director-General of the Commission, Joe Keshi, who disclosed this in a statement, noted that the team would, for 10 days, collate information and undertake, where possible, conduct an on-the-spot assessment of the level of environmental degradation of sites as well as proffer solution on how to mitigate these impacts.
According to Keshi, the 10-day environmental impact assessment study would take the experts to the BRACED states to assess and compile data on the state of the flora and fauna in the region.
“They will also assess and compile data on the human environment and the bio-diversity of the region taking into cognisance the lakes, fresh and brackish water bodies, forest reserve, wildlife, wetlands, potable water, industry and the environment and infrastructural development among others,” he said.
He explained that the study would help the region to tackle its huge environmental problems and the attendant food security, persistent poverty, climate change adaptation and mitigation challenge, ecosystem and biodiversity degradation, all of which would help the BRACED states fast-track their quest for sustainable development.
Keshi also disclosed that to address the issue of food security, the BRACED Commission would hold a three-day meeting of agriculture experts and commissioners for agriculture to consider potential areas of cooperation in agriculture particularly, in the cultivation and production of oil palm, rice, cassava, rubber, banana/plantain and aquaculture.
He said that meeting would hold at Songhai Farms in Rivers State between October 31 and November 2, 2012.