Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe has solicited a partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to address the effects of climate change.

Mr Buni spoke during a courtesy visit by Moncef Kartas, UNDP Head of the North-East sub-region, on Tuesday in Damaturu.

“Let me share with you one other major area of concern to the government of Yobe, that is, the effect of climate change on the state,” the governor said.

He decried the challenges of flooding and desert encroachment in the state.

“The state is losing sizeable of its part to desert encroachment and also recording a huge loss to yearly flooding.

“I would like our partnership to look into these two natural disasters with a view to exploring avenues of checking these threats. To safeguard our people and their means of livelihood,” he said.

Mr Buni commended the UNDP for assisting the state in various aspects of human endeavour, especially in the reconstruction of schools, construction and equipping of health facilities and vocational training of the youths, among others.

Earlier, Mr Kartas appreciated the support of the Yobe government and the cooperation of the state’s people to the UN agency.

He said the activities of UNDP had brought the state closer to achieving Sustainable Development Goals.

“I can say we share a common vision of bringing Yobe state ever so closer to achieving SDGs,” he said.

(NAN)