The Brain Builders Youth Development Initiative (BBYDI), a civil society organization, has expressed dissatisfaction with the allocation of a mere N1.7 million for Kwara State’s Climate Change Office in the recently presented state budget.
Abideen Olasupo, the Global Director of BBYDI, while speaking with DA News in Ilorin, the state capital questioned the adequacy of the allocated funds, raising concerns about the government’s commitment to addressing climate issues within the state.
The meager budget for the Climate Change Office, tasked with tackling the effects of climate change, has drawn criticism from the CSO, emphasizing the need for a more substantial commitment to environmental initiatives.
This dissatisfaction comes at a time when nations globally have committed to investing more resources in climate mitigation efforts, particularly in renewable energy, at the just concluded COP 28 held in the United Arab Emirates.
According to him “While the international community is increasing its focus on addressing climate change, the state needs to do more because states must prioritize climate-related issues in their budgets.
He however called on the government to increase funding to enhance climate resilience and adaptation strategies, aligning with the global momentum to combat climate change.
” Our advocacy for a more robust allocation emphasizes the urgency of addressing climate issues at both national and sub-national levels if we are to achieve the SDG 2030,” he said.
By Dare Akogun
