ANAMBRA ESTABLISHES CLIMATE CHANGE DEPARTMENT TO STRENGTHEN ENVIRONMENTAL GOVERNANCE

The Anambra State Government has approved the establishment of a Climate Change Department within the State Civil Service to strengthen climate action.

This is contained in a circular released today, August 19, 2026, by the Office of the Head of Service and signed by the Head of Service, Ngozi Anuli Iwouno, Esq., mni.

According to the circular, the Department will operate directly under the Ministry of Environment as the State’s institutional platform for coordinating climate-related policies, programmes and activities.

Its functions include climate change policy development and implementation, mitigation and adaptation initiatives, climate related data management, stakeholder engagement and environmental awareness.

The Department will also coordinate with relevant Federal Government institutions and other partners, reflecting the growing importance attached to climate action at national and sub-national levels.

The circular clarified that the Climate Change Department will form part of the mainstream Civil Service and will not operate as a separate or autonomous service.

It added that officers deployed to the Department would retain their existing professional cadres and remain governed by applicable Civil Service rules and Schemes of Service.

The Office of the Head of Service will collaborate with the Ministry of Environment to identify suitably qualified officers from relevant disciplines, including Environmental Sciences, Forestry and Urban Planning.

The Ministry of Environment is expected to commence the necessary administrative arrangements for the Department’s effective take off, while Permanent Secretaries and Heads of MDAs have been urged to provide the required cooperation, the circular noted.

MaryAnn Chukwuma writes from the Office of the Head of Service.