NRWDI Trains Ikot Abasi Women on Environmental Conservation, Climate Justice
Imó Etim
The women of Ikot Abasi Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State have been trained on women involvement in decision making geared towards environmental conservation and climate Justice.
The training which took place on Tuesday in Ette, Ikot Abasi LGA was carried out by the Nkori Rural Women and Development Initiative (NRWDI) with support from Global Greengrants Fund and Oilwatch.
In her presentation on ” The Role of Women in Environmental Conservation and Climate Justice”, the Director, Climate Change, Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Environment and Solid Mineral, Mrs. Ini Umoh noted that women are predominantly responsible for management and conservation of resources for their families hence spend vast amounts of time collecting and storing water, securing sources of fuel, food and fodder, and managing land — be it forest, wetlands or agricultural terrain.
She noted that to conserve the environment and ensure climate Justice in their day to day activities, women must report vandalisation of oil facilities, report oil spills and also push against the flaring of gas in their domain.
While highlighting the dangers of gas flaring on women’s health, she called on the women to lead the campaign for the implementation of gas flaring elimination plan as provided for in section 108 of the Petroleum Industry Act.
On her part, one of the Resource Persons, Ruth Edet charged women to endeavour to be involved in decision making since actions taken on the environment would have a lasting effect on women too.
She mentioned some of the ways women can influence decisions to include being educated, exposing self to seminars, conferences and researches.
Earlier in her welcome address, the Coordinator of Nkori Rural Women and Development Initiative (NRWDI), Okoho Ene said the training is designed to equip women on being part of decision making that will promote environmental conservation and climate Justice.
She noted that already Ikot Abasi is an area that is threatened environmentally owing to the oil and gas exploration from companies such as ExxonMobil, Sterling Global and Total coupled with its strategic location in the Oil and Gas Free Trade Zone.
Ene charged women to respectfully engage the men, explore relevant laws and regulations so that their interest would be captured when projects or developmental issues are discussed in a bid to protect the environment.
In reaction, the Woman Leader of Ette Community, Grace Akpan thanked Nkori Rural Women and Development Initiative for the training assuring that women will uphold the lessons and ensure they do their bid in conserving their environment and ensuring climate Justice in their day to day dealings.