The Rivers State House of Assembly has become the first state in Nigeria to domesticate the Climate Change Act 2021 which was sponsored by Rep. Sam Onuigbo. The Rivers State Climate Change Bill comes with adjustments to capture Local Government Areas and state-specific issues and was passed by the State’s House of Assembly on the 12th of December 2022.

In a statement issued by the Rivers Network of NGOs (RINNGOS), which pushed for the passage of the Bill, they expressed their joy for the success and thanked the RSHA for being the first among equals.

Reacting to this, Dr Mina Ogbanga, Associate Professor and President of the Rivers Network of NGOs (RINNGOS) said:

“This is a landmark victory for Civil Society in Rivers State as we strive to promote Environmental sustainability. We thank the European Union, and the British Council PACT programme for their support. We also thank all CSOs who never gave up on pushing for this passage. We specifically appreciate the Chairman, House Committee on Environment,Hon Dumle Maol whose unrelenting effort saw this Bill through.”

Associate Professor Ogbanga used the opportunity to call on the Rivers State Governor, His Excellency Barrister Nyesom Wike to assent to the Bill and place Rivers State at the frontline when it comes to walking the talk in ensuring a better environment for Rivers State inhabitants.

Reacting, the sponsor of Nigeria’s Climate Change Act 2021, and President of Global Legislators Organisation for a Balanced Environment(GLOBE) in Nigeria, Rep. Sam Onuigbo, expressed profound joy at the speedy action taken by the Rivers State House of Assembly. Rep. Onuigbo who commended the RSHA for being futuristic, thanked RINNGOS for exhibiting doggedness and commitment for the betterment of the people.

The national lawmaker used the opportunity to commend the Rivers State Governor, Barrister Nyesom Wike for always prioritizing the welfare of his people and urged him to give assent to the Bill to cement his legacy as one of the best Governors of Rivers State.

The Bill was sponsored by Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Ikuyinyi-Owaji Ibani; Hon. Christian Ahiakwor; and the Chairman of the House Committee on Environment, Hon. Dumle Maol.