By Olasunkanmi Akoni & Monsur Olowoopejo

Mayors of major West African cities, Wednesday, signed a declaration on strategies to combat as well as mitigate the adverse effects of global warming on African countries.

As adverse effects of climate change continue to bite harder, leaders have been called upon to move beyond the Kyoto declaration and take more adequate steps toward adaptation and mitigation.

Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State, who flagged off the signing at a special congress on climate change, said the declaration by the cities was aimed at formulating suitable policy position and providing a common solution to the problem as it affects the continent.

It will be recalled that the strategies were drafted at the African Mayors Climate change Declaration held between 27 February 27 and March 3, 2011, in Cape Town, South Africa, but was not signed.

Some of the mayors present at the signing of the declaration included those; of Malabo, Equatorial Guinea; Cotonou, Benin; Dakar, Senagal; and Lagos, Nigeria.

The congress, organised by the Lagos State Ministry of Environment had as its theme Building climate change resilient African cities.

According to Fashola, as Kyoto protocol expires in 2012, Africa needs to get prepared for more inclusive suitable options to replace it. He said: “A collective response towards fighting climate change is for global public good and African’s interest.”

He noted that the problem of climate change had threatened the lives of Africans in all aspects.