LCLEI To Build Permanent Africa Regional Office, International Conference Centre In Uyo

By Victor Essang

UYO

The International Council for Local Environmental Initiative (LCLEI), Canada, has concluded arrangements to build the permanent Africa Regional office complex and 10,000-capacity International Conference Center in Uyo, Akwa Ibom capital city.

 This is contained in a release signed by the administrative secretary, Africa Regional Office, Nancy Jones, and made available to The Pioneer at the weekend.

 The reason behind the decision to cite the edifice in Akwa Ibom, according to the world body, is based on the state’s sustained cleanliness, performance ratings and safe haven for investments.

 “This was disclosed by the African Regional coordinator of ICLEI, Prince Ene Baba Owoh, Jr. from his temporary office at Nairobi, Kenya to the media”, the release stated.

 According to the release, “the process leading to the project location began in May 2022 in Malmo, Sweden, during the ICLEI world Congress where Resolution 08/22 was passed and Uyo Capital City, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria, was chosen by the world body amongst cities like Cape Town, South Africa and Kigali, Rwanda from the three nominated countries to locate the ICLEI Africa permanent Regional office complex and international Conference Centre.”

 The project expected impact, according to the release, “includes among others; adding value to the state/country where it is located as both will play host to the annual African Regional Conference and activities that will attract to the state/country over 1250 Towns/Cities, Countries and members organizations to the state with the potential for securing the hosting rights for the ICLEI World Congress.”

 It maintained that “the project execution will embrace local participation of indigenous companies and skills, thereby promoting ecotourism and boosting the revenue base of the state/country”, adding, “This is in addition to the show casing the cultural homage of the people.”

 The release explained that “the ICLEI world congress upheld both the Global Executive Council (GEXCOM) and Regional Executives Committees (REXCOM) that is composed of nine regions” and disclosed that “the project is part of the global strategy and policy frameworks for five years (2023-2028) strategic action plan as one of the key projects on climate adaption and knowledge exchange (CAKE).”

 ICLEI is an umbrella body of over 2,500 local and regional organizations committed to sustainable environmental development worldwide that enjoys permanent diplomatic status as United Nations partner organization.