Caption:
(L) Provincial Administrator Solomon Tato exchanging the signed documents, as
Governor Soso looks on, to the ED of OCCD Varigini Badira.
By
MATTHEW VARI
DUBBED the first declared green province in the country- Eastern Highlands has further boosted its clean green approach with the signing between the provincial government and the Office of Climate Change and Development (OCCD) for the construction of solar farms in three districts within the province.
Present at the signing on Mondayin Goroka was Eastern Highlands Governor Julie Soso, Provincial Administrator Solomon Tato, and the Executive Director for OCCD MrVariginiBadira.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed for the construction of three solar farms in remote parts of the districts of Obura-Wanenara, Okapa, and Daulo.
It will see the setting up of solar power plants that will service district facilities like schools and aid posts.
Strong advocate for the green initiative, and EHP Governor Julie Soso, was pleased that the signing took place, emphasizing that with the challenges affecting the environment- drastic measures are to be taken to mitigate the climate phenomenon.
“Taking into account all values of life we must embrace the green province mechanism in order for us to accept the global environmental calamities posed by global climate change, and develop appropriate mitigation and adaptation strategies now or never,” Governor Soso said.
“Our habitat and the cultural diversity together with its biodiversity are at risk- gradually the survival of human race is also at risk, we must consolidate our development methods towards a climate resilient community.”
“We must adapt clean energy like solar, and I am glad that the technical team from OCCD has conducted initial investigations into my three districts, one project will be in Ivingoi (Okapa), the other in Obure-Wonenara, other in Kwongi(Daulo)that studies begun in 2014.”
She added that with the construction phase to begin, once completed the same concept will be setup in other districts to use clean energy to generate electricity.
“We will reduce carbon emissions and thereby converting them into carbon stock for trading purposes as we are faced with challenges ahead, we must also take on opportunities that come our way today.
“It is pleasing to announce that K1 million has been put to the construction of solar farms in the three sites this year.”
“I am ready to give these projects to the rural people, it is both obligatory and mandatory. I am confident that this relationship with the green province and the OCCD will provide yet another rare opportunity for us to explore into common areas of benefit that will result in increased exchanges in the areas of mitigation and adaptation.”
OCCD Executive Director VariginiBadira commended the province for its proactive approach, and in addition announced moves by his office through the Ministry of Environment and Conservation through the minister responsible for submission to NEC for counterpart funding of the project
“I would like to commend the Eastern Highlands Provincial government led by the Governor Soso, and I would also like to commend the administration for their support.”
“Going green is a noble cause, it is a divine cause as climate change impacts on our lives and not only destroys the nature that has been created but also impacts the lives of our children and our people as well.”
“A submission has already been made ready for NEC to support the initiative for counterpart funding from the national government.”
“The office of climate change fully supports the project and is committed to support the initiative of the governor and the province to develop the green province,” MrBadira said.
He added that through the government endorsed National Climate Compatible Development Policy- Eastern Highlands government is one of the first province implementing the Climate Compatible Development Policy under the National Responsible Sustainable Development Strategy that the government adopted last year.
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