The Lagos State Government has called on citizens to utilise adaptation and mitigation projects as part of strategies to tackle the effects of climate change in the state.

The Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr Tunji Bello, made this call in a statement, on Wednesday, adding that a committee had been set up to protect the environment.

Bello was quoted to have said this during a climate change technical committee meeting held in Ikeja.

He said, “We can now say with credibility that we have kept 1.5 degrees alive but its pulse is weak and it will only survive if we keep our promises and translate commitments into rapid action. This is a clarion call for us all to kick–start the process of putting Lagos on a sure-footing environmentally and climate protected.

“The socio-economic and infrastructural development must be done with climate change in mind since several studies have revealed that the state must vigorously pursue adaptation and mitigation projects to stop the tide of environmental pollution arising from the business-as-usual syndrome.

“Climate change cuts across thematic sectors which fall under everyone’s ministerial responsibilities and everyone must project their actions, activities and programmes through a common platform via the secretariat for reportage.”

The Permanent Secretary, Office of Environmental Service, Omobolaji Gaji, urged heads of Ministries,

Department and Agencies to setup climate change departments in their various ministries.