Written by: Mariam Idris
The Keep Your Promise Campaign (KYP) is an Initiative launched by the Pan African Climate Justice Alliance (PACJA) in the 2023 to hold global leaders accountable to pay for climate action commitments and to also scale up adaptation finance ahead of COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan.
To this, Climate and Sustainable Development Network (CSDevNet) held Keep your Promise Campaign in Lokoja, Kogi State Nigeria on 25th October, 2024.
Lokoja is faced with flooding over the years and yet no vital solution to curb floods, the urgency for government to fulfil their climate pledges is crucial at this time.
The campaign aimed to call for the leadership at all levels of government to deliver on their obligations under the Paris Agreement and the pursuit for Climate Justice.
The National Network Coordinator Mr. Steven Abuh noted that, every year they get feedback from negotiation at cop were global leaders make promises of billions of dollars yet the impact of the money cannot be traced to an action.
“today is a call to action climate justice must be delivered to the people who least contribute to the global emission yet bear the brunt”.
Mrs. Bridget David a flood victim in the ganaja community called for urgent assistance as living conditions have become increasingly challenging them.
Mr. Sunday Igwe a businessman and victim of the flood situation expressed displeasure on how the flood have taken over his shop.
He lamented how the community have lack assistance to help them mitigate to the impacts.
“I’m waiting for the water up so I would continue my business to help me feed my family” said Sunday Igwe.
Prof. Tanko Dauda the Executive Director of Green for Life Initiative underscored the importance of climate education to communities and building their resilience against climate change leading to flood to help mitigate the impact of floods and take necessary actions.
He urged for more climate sensitization in the states.
“We expect this call to make known to the public that they are responsible for mitigating and reducing the impact of what they’re going through so they can take necessary action”.
The CSDevNet team and stakeholders paid a courtesy visit to the state ministry of environment to urge the government to increase finance and assistance to the flood-affected communities.
During the visit, the Commissioner for Environmental and Ecological Management, Mr. Joseph Oluwasegun, highlighted the state government’s effort to address the flooding and called for a lasting solution to this persistent problem.
He noted that, the state has assisted flood victims with relief materials like food stuffs and essential materials.
He further stated the afforestation efforts undertaken by the state, planting over 50,000 trees to reduce carbon emission.
“We cannot solve this issue alone we also need the assistance of international community to help the state in finding a lasting solution to flooding in the state”.
In conclusion, the Keep Your Promise Campaign in Lokoja served as a crucial platform for vulnerable communities to voice their concerns and advocate for the fulfillment of climate finance and justice.
As climate change continues to impact the most marginalized, it is imperative for both local and global leaders to take meaningful action.
The campaign not only highlighted the pressing needs of those affected by flooding but also reaffirmed the importance of accountability in climate commitments.