Catholic Archdiocese to partner FG on energy programme

Abuja – The Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja is to partner with the Federal Government on the Renewable Energy Programme aimed at addressing the impact of climate change.

Rev. Sister Agatha Chikelue, the Administrator of the archdiocese, said this on Saturday during a visit to the National Coordinator of the Renewable Energy Programme, Mrs Bahijjahtu Abubakar

Chikelue said the partnership became necessary due to the devastating effect of climate change in the rural communities.

“Climate change cuts across borders and its impact is felt by everybody; as stakeholders on the issue of the environment, we should not leave the issue of finding a solution to the adverse impact of climate change to the government alone.

“We all must come together and join hands with the government in its effort to tackle the issue of adverse impact of climate change and the preservation and conservation of our environment,’’ she said.

She stressed the importance of faith-based organisations in community awareness initiatives, saying government must integrate them in its efforts at tackling the impact of climate change.

Chikelue said the archdiocese had been creating awareness among church members, school children and rural communities, adding that they were veritable tools for disseminating information on the dangers of climate change.

Responding, Abubakar said that the partnership of the archdiocese with government was a welcome development.

She said with the partnership, the initiative of using solar energy as an alternative to electricity would be welcomed in the rural areas, especially by women.

Abubakar said lack of rural electricity was hampering educational attainment while worsening poverty and quality of life in rural communities.

She, however, said the renewable energy Solar Kit Project would address the electricity challenge in rural communities.

The project, she said, was the Federal Government’s initiative to address the impact of climate change in rural communities.

She urged the archdiocese to assist government in driving the project in rural communities, adding that other programmes to assist rural people adapt to the impact of climate change were underway. (NAN)