The Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of Cross River State Green Economic Commission, Oden Ewa has tasked the Federal Government and its agency, National Council on Climate Change, on the urgency of finalising work on carbon market framework policy for the nation, noting that the absence of this policy has hampered greatly the development of the carbon market and attraction of investments to the sector.
Ewa, who is also the state commissioner for special duties and intergovernmental relations commended Governor Bassey Otu, for his commitment in ensuring that the state plays the leading role in unlocking the potential of the carbon market through his various initiatives, which include the setting up of the state Green Economic Commission.
He made these remarks during his keynote address at the Hybrid Stakeholders Town Hall Meeting on Mangrove Restoration, Conservation, and Protection, themed “Applying Nature-Based Climate Solutions,” held on Tuesday in Calabar, the capital of Cross River State.
Speaking on the lead role of Cross River State in harnessing its green economic potential, Ewa revealed, ‘‘For decades, Cross River State has been a leader in environmental conservation in Nigeria. Today, with over 53,000 hectares of degraded mangroves awaiting restoration, we have taken proactive steps to engage investors and development partners to harness opportunities in carbon investment.
He, however, lamented that work on the corridor has been stunted as a result of the FG not finalising work on the carbon market framework policy that would lead to unlocking the market and attracting investors as well as allow sub-nationals to development their green economic market.
