Concerned groups have urged the Akwa Ibom State Government to implement a comprehensive climate change policy that emphasizes circular economy principles, green job creation, and specialized skills training. This call to action follows a roundtable discussion in Uyo, hosted by the Ministry of Environment and Mineral Resources, focused on fostering sustainable enterprise development.
The consensus among participants is that transitioning to a green economy necessitates significant investment in vocational education and the incorporation of sustainable practices into the state’s academic curriculum. They also recommended establishing an annual Green Enterprise Exhibition to connect young entrepreneurs with potential investors and technical partners.
Furthermore, the group suggested utilizing the Host Community Development Trust framework, established under the Petroleum Industry Act 2021, to fund these initiatives. By strategically directing resources from oil-producing regions into green enterprise, the state could unlock new pathways for employment.
The communique explicitly called for a structured framework to identify sectoral strengths and ensure that all development initiatives remain inclusive, specifically providing equitable access to training and funding for Persons with Disabilities. Finally, the participants proposed the creation of a multi-stakeholder platform to monitor progress and coordinate regional funding efforts.
