WordPress

Category: Environment

  • Environmental expert says high-level deforestation ongoing in C’River

    Deforestation
    By Christian Njoku
    Calabar, June 7, 2024 (NAN) Mr Ken Henshaw, the Executive Director, We the People, an environmental advocacy group, has raised alarm over the level of deforestation in Cross River.
    Henshaw made the expression on Friday in Calabar at a round table discussion on the theme: “Fostering Strategies and Partnership for Forest Protection in Cross River”
    He said that the current level of deforestation in the state could be described as ‘the fastest anywhere around the world’
    Henshaw who was quoting data from the Global Forest Watch Platform, described the situation as ‘alarming and disturbing’
    “Logging has taken an unbelievable dimension since the current administration in the state lifted ban on it.
    “The administration merely set up a new forestry commission without addressing the key drivers of the illegal activity,” he said.
    The executive director said that the state government introduced a scheme that permitted people to log identified trees and pay taxes to it.
    “This means that the illegal activity has yet to be addressed. At the moment, the report we get from the field is even worse than that of 2023.
    “The state government should not see the forest as a resource that can only bring revenue through logging,” she said.
    Henshaw said that there were other non timber revenue sources that could be legally explored and tapped from the forests.
    He said that the challenge of deforestation had taken a new twist as hundreds of young men had invaded the forests mining for solid minerals.
    On his part, the Chairman, Cross River Forestry Commission, Mr George Oben-Etchi said that massive sensitisation was needed to educate rural communities on the dangers of deforestation.
    Oben-Etchi said that the commission was challenged by the issues of poor funding, dearth of manpower and outdated laws.
    He said that irrespective of the challenges, the commission would continue to do its best to tackle logging activities in the state.
    A Calabar-based environmental expert, Mr Odigha Odigha, said that residents of the state should rise up in defence of their environment by tackling the growing level of logging.
    “It will be wrong to blame the government alone, the problem is our own, we should rise up to tackle it,” he said.
    Odigha, a former Chairman, Cross River Forestry Commission, called for collaborative efforts to fight illegal logging activities in the forests.
    “Before now, it used to rain in Calabar all year round, but gradually the rains are getting scarcer and giving way to intense heat,” he said.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
    CBN/AZU
    =======
    Edited by Azubuike Okeh

  • Fire guts commercial building in Anambra

    Fire guts commercial building in Anambra

    Fire

     

    By Monday Ajogun

     

    Uga (Anambra), June 7, 2024 (NAN) A commercial building at Atani Road by Uga junction in Ogbaru Local Government Area of Anambra was gutted by fire on Friday.

     

    Mr Chukwudi Chiketa, the Fire Chief, Anambra Fire Service, made this known to newsmen in Onitsha.

     

    Chiketa said: “We received a distress call at about 5.17 a. m. today and I immediately deployed our gallant firefighters to the scene of the fire incident.

     

    “The incident occurred at the top floor of a story building inside GMO company, situated at Atani road by Uga junction, Okpoko.

     

    “Though, the top floor of the one-storey building was affected, but there were many savings including other structures and property inside the company’s premises.”

     

    He said that the firemen were able to control the fire from escalating beyond the top floor of the building, noting that the cause of the fire had yet to be ascertained.

     

    He encouraged residents on timely contact to fire service in any related situation as to help reduce the extent of damage before the arrival of firefighters. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

    AJOM/FAA

    ==========
    Edited by Folasade Adeniran

     

     

  • Group builds 124 solar-powered boreholes in 1 year

    Group builds 124 solar-powered boreholes in 1yr

    Boreholes
    By Polycarp Auta
    Jos, June 6, 2024 (NAN) An NGO, called Transfer of Appropriate Sustainable Technology and Expertise (TASTE), says it has constructed 124 solar-powered boreholes in different communities in the country in 2023.

    The Country Director of the organisation, Mr Nuhu Yakubu, disclosed this in Jos on Thursday, when officials of the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Plateau Council, visited him in his office.

    Yakubu also said that the NGO had resuscitated 300 malfunctional hand-pumps in different places from January to date.

    He said that communities in Plateau and Kaduna States constituted the majority of the beneficiaries of the gesture.

    He further said that the gesture aimed at providing quality and potable water to the people, particularly the less privileged, in rural areas.

    ”We are committed to providing access to quality and potable water to a large number of communities across the country.”

    ”Our aim is to ensure that the water collected by the people is safe for consumption at all times,” Yakubu said.

    He further disclosed TASTE’s plan to create waste management hub in Plateau, adding that the measure would go a long way toward tackling environmental degradation.

    He said that the organisation would go into aggressive sensitisation on tree planting and afforestation in Plateau.

    Earlier, the Chairman of the chapel, Mr Polycarp Auta, said that the visit was to seek partnership with the organisation toward projecting its programmes and activities. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

    AZA/USO
    Edited by Sam Oditah

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • SGF inaugurates 1.2km flood control drainage in Benue

     

    Inauguration

     

    By Emmanuel Antswen

     

    Makurdi, June 6, 2024 (NAN) The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Sen. George Akume, has inaugurated the 1.2 kilometers Idye Flood Control/Dyke Project in Makurdi, Benue.

     

    Akume, while performing the ceremony on Thursday in Makurdi, said President Bola Tinubu was committed to a healthy and green environment for the country.

     

    He said the country was faced with numerous challenges, and the environmental destruction consistently caused by floods and gully erosion was a significant one.

     

    Represented by the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev, Akume admitted that even before the establishment of N-HYPPADEC in 2021, environmental problems had been prevalent in most communities.

     

    He said N-HYPPADEC was tasked with environmental conservation in the country and had put in place the necessary infrastructure to reverse environmental degradation caused by floods and erosion.

     

    “The task of reversing environmental damages caused by floods and erosion over the years is definitely not an easy one. It requires meticulous and long-term planning that should be executed in stages.

     

    “This flood control project, which we are here to inaugurate today, is only one of the early steps taken by the commission to reverse ecological degradation and promote sustainable developments in riverine communities.

     

    “Thus, the completion of this project is a significant milestone in the efforts by N-HYPPADEC to mitigate the devastating effects of floods and erosion in Benue,” he said

     

    Akume said the 1.2 kilometer flood control drainage would not only protect the environment and infrastructure, but would also safeguard the lives and livelihoods of countless individuals within the state capital.

     

    “This Flood Control/Dyke Project, spanning a distance of 1.2 kilometers, is a shining example of what can be achieved when government agencies, private sector partners and local communities come together with a shared purpose.

     

    “The project will not only protect the environment and infrastructure, but will also safeguard the lives and livelihoods of countless individuals who call this region home,” he assured.

     

    In his goodwill message, Gov. Hyacinth Alia commended the Federal Government for constructing the drainage system, saying that it would go a long way to mitigate the impact of flood on Makurdi residents.

     

    Represented by his deputy, Sam Ode, Alia said the project was a vital solution to the persistent problems of flooding and erosion within Makurdi metropolis.

     

    Earlier, the Managing Director (MD), National Hydroelectric Power Producing Areas Development Commission (N-HYPPADEC), Mr Abubakar Yelwa, had said that the project cost N1.2 billion.

     

    Yelwa disclosed that the Federal Government had, before now, spent about N700 million on the Idye Basin flood control project in Makurdi.

     

    He said that for years, Makurdi residents and other parts of Benue had endured annual flooding that consumed thousands of homes and farmlands, displacing numerous families.

     

    “The 2022 Benue floods were even more tragic. In 2022, the Benue State Emergency Management Agency reported that the floods consumed about 18,349 houses and farmlands, displacing a total of 134,797 people.

     

    “This staggering impact shows the urgent need to take decisive action to safeguard the communities and the livelihoods of people in the state.

     

    “Today, we stand to celebrate the completion of one of the contributions of the Federal Government through the National Hydroelectric Power Producing Areas Development Commission (N-HYPPADEC), by inaugurating the Idye Flood Control/Dyke Project, which spans an impressive 1.2 kilometers.

     

    “This project, supplemented by an additional excavation of 2.5 kilometers to salvage the lower basin of the community, is a significant investment of approximately N1.2 billion,’’ he said.

     

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that flood has become an annual ritual in Benue, displacing hundreds of thousands and causing untold hardship and damage to lives and property. (NAN) www.nannews.ng

     

    AEB/OIF/YGA/ETS

    ===============
    Edited Ifeanyi Okoronko/Gabriel Yough

     

     

     

     

  • Group wants IOCs to clean up polluted environment before divestment plan

    Divestment

    By Desmond Ejibas

    Port Harcourt, June 6, 2024 (NAN) International Oil Companies (IOCs) operating in the country have been urged to clean up all polluted and degraded sites in the Niger Delta before divesting their business.

    Dr Emem Okon, the Executive Director, Kebetkache Women Development and Resource Centre, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Port Harcourt on Thursday.

    She said that the call followed moves by Shell, Exxon Mobil, Total Energies and Nigerian Agip Oil Company to divest their operations.

    Okon said that about 65 per cent of the land in Niger Delta region had been degraded, saying that there is a critical need to restore the region’s ecosystem as part of the campaign against climate change.

    “Nigeria is impacted by the silent and invisible crises of desertification, land degradation, and drought, which are mostly caused by human activities and climate changes.

    “In the Niger Delta, the ecosystem has been severely damaged due to oil and gas exploration. This has led to various illnesses and disorders among the local population.

    “Oil majors are departing the Niger Delta after more that 70 years of oil extraction, the terrible effects of their activities on oil-producing communities, particularly the women are very visible,” he said.

    Okon expressed concerns that IOCs are swiftly selling off their assets and primarily shifting focus from shallow waters to deep-water operations.

    “In 2022, Seplat Energy Plc, a Nigerian firm, announced to the public that it had purchased ExxonMobil’s Nigerian shallow water business.

    “We are concerned about the swiftness of these divestment plans because the government has not provided any guidelines to address pollution issues from these companies.

    “These companies have failed to establish women development funds to support those affected by their oil extraction activities,” she added.

    The environmental activist said that decades of oil spills had drastically reduced land productivity and impeded subsistence agriculture in the region.

    Okon stated that the people of the Niger Delta would oppose any hurried divestment by transnational oil companies unless the environment and the people’s sources of livelihood were first restored.

    “For us, a just transition must encompass addressing the damages caused by oil pollution, conducting health audit and developing a clear strategy to combat climate change.

    “A just transition should also entail justice for countless victims of oil company-inspired and state-sanctioned abuses along with reparations to the people of the Niger Delta,” she said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

    DES/AZU

    =======

    Edited by Azubuike Okeh

  • Environmental crimes tribunal underway–FG

    Tribunal

    By Felicia Imohimi

    Abuja, June 6, 2024(NAN) The Federal Government says it is working towards setting up a tribunal that will be responsible for trying perpetrators of environmental crimes across the country.

    The Minister of Environment, Balarabe Lawal, disclosed this at a stakeholders meeting on Thursday in Abuja in commemoration of the World Environment Day (WED).

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the WED is commemorated annually on June 5.

    The theme for 2024 celebration is “Land Restoration, Desertification and Drought Resilience.’’

    Lawal, who frowned at the rate of unsustainable environmental practices in the country, attributed the challenges to lapses in enforcing existing environmental laws.

    The minister identified greenhouse emission from factories and other domestic appliances as contributors to climate change challenges currently bedeviling the country.

    “Currently, because we are not being strict you discovered that environmental cases are not being treated the way it should be.

    “So, we are working hard and very soon the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) will come out with laws to protect our environment, forest and our local environment against pollution.

    “So, we are going to establish tribunal that will try environmental crime very quickly so we need AGF’s support.

    “I urge the stakeholders to help us in enforcing existing environmental laws we are going to try to improve on the laws protecting our environment.’’

    Lawal said that Nigeria was facing environmental challenges like other parts of the world due to variety of factors ranging from deforestation, unsustainable land practices and other impacts of climate change.

    He said that such practices not only threatened the health and wellbeing of the people but also jeopardised the development of the ecosystem.’’

    Lawal said the country recently signed bilateral framework agreement on transboundary ecosystem conservation, sustainable management of forestry and wildlife resourced with the government of Cameroon.

    He identified the gesture as a milestone that would help in the preservation of biodiversity.

    The minister urged stakeholders in the sector to recommit themselves to the goal of activating and restoring the country’s land and environment and the stewardship of the planet. .

    He specifically tasked all Nigerians on tree planting around their houses.

    “We campaign to all of us to plant trees around our houses which is the only way to address degradation and deforestation affecting our land.’’

    We need to increase our efforts at tree planting; so, we encourage agencies, departments to come in and support the ministry to plant trees.

    “We have to declare emergency on our forest cover which is so bad that we need to take drastic action to address this issue, “he said.

    Mahmud Kambari, Permanent Secretary in the ministry, said collective action and collaboration was required to tackle the complexities of environmental degradation.

    Kambari urged stakeholders to harness the power of innovation and technology, science and traditional knowledge to unlock solutions that would restore the nation’s land, enhance drought resilience and combat desertification.

    “Let us not forget the profound connection between environmental sustainability and human wellbeing.

    “The health of our ecosystems directly impacts the livelihoods of millions of Nigerians who depend on land for food, water and shelter.

    “By prioritising environmental conservation, we are not only safeguarding our natural heritage but also promoting socio-economic prosperity and resilience for all,’’ he said.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

    FUA/CJ/

    =======

    Edited by Chijioke Okoronkwo

  • Rainy season: 8 Zamfara LGAs on flood-risk alert—NEMA 

    Rainy season: 8 Zamfara LGAs on flood-risk alert—NEMA

    Flood

    By Ishaq Zaki

     

    Gusau, May 6, 2024 (NAN) Eight local government areas of Zamfara are predicted to be affected by moderate-flooding in the 2024 rainy season, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), has disclosed.

     

    The Director-General of the agency, Hajiya Zubaida Umar, disclosed this in Gusau on Thursday at the sensitisation programme for  the 2024 down-scaling of flood early warning strategies for early actions.

     

    Umar, represented by the Director, ICT, Sani Alhaji-Lokoja, said the affected LGAs include: Bungudu, Bakura, Gummi, Gusau, Maradun, Shinkafi, Talata Mafara and Zurmi.

     

    “These LGAs are already listed in the earlier NEMA’s communication to the state government.

     

    “This underscores the downscaling and sensitization programme of the 2024 flood early warning strategies in Zamfara.

     

    “I am therefore calling for support from all stakeholders to cascade this initiative to the grassroots,’’ she explained.

     

    According to the NEMA boss, the agency found it necessary to stress that management of disaster risk in contemporary times hinges on community-wide participation, leaving no one behind.

     

    Umar added, “As we always emphasize, “disaster management is everyone’s business.

     

    “We must work together to safeguard communities at risk, protect critical infrastructure and support uninterrupted socio-economic activities in Zamfara.

     

    “This is the guaranteed path of driving socio-economic growth and development in line with the renewed hope agenda of the Federal Government under President Bola Tinubu.

     

    “It is my hope that this event will go a long way in reducing the impacts of the annually recurring floods and to safeguard the private and communal livelihoods of the good people of Zamfara.’’ .

     

    In his remarks, the Secretary to the State Government, Malam Abubakar Nakwada, described the programme as timely and a welcome development.

     

    Nakwada described the flood as a very unfortunate disaster, adding, ”therefore, this programme is to empower our people to take early warning actions very seriously.

     

    “I am using this medium to express the readiness of the state government under Gov. Dauda Lawal to continue collaborating with NEMA to implement disaster risk management measures in the state.

     

    “We are going to make sure that all the information shared from this event reach all stakeholders across the state/’’

     

    Other speakers were the Commissioner for Humanitarian and Relief Matters, Alhaji Salisu Musa, Emir of Bungudu, Alhaji Hassan Attahiru, Director-General and State Fire Service, Abdullahi Jibo, among others.

    They all pledged their support to the sensitisation programme on early warning actions at the grassroots. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

     

    IZ/OIF/BRM

    ============
    Edited by Ifeyinwa Okonkwo/Bashir Rabe Mani

     

     

     

     

     

  • CSOs push for improved water, sanitation services

    CSOs push for improved water, sanitation services

    Support

    By Tosin Kolade

    Abuja, June 6, 2024 (NAN) The Society for Water and Sanitation (NEWSAN),  has pledged to support tiers of government in holding political leaders accountable for improving access to potable water and sanitation services.

    The National Coordinator of the group, Mr Benson Attah, said this at the opening of the sub-national stakeholders’ webinar on ‘Vote 4WASH Campaign’ advocacy efforts and progress on Thursday in Abuja.

    According to him, the meeting is aimed at tracking political stakeholders’ commitment towards improving access to potable water and sanitation in the country.

    He said the WASH Charter of Demand the need for budgetary allocations, institutional strengthening and political will in the sector.

    Attah said there was a need for prioritising WASH in the political agenda at all levels and to make WASH everyone’s business.

    “Today’s meeting is to enable us review the vote for WASH campaign to see how we’ve been able to engage political stakeholders to support WASH implementation in the country.

    “We cannot overemphasise the role of access to potable water and sanitation in the country, undermining WASH services in the country affects human development outcomes,“he said.

    Attah urged selected states and their coordinators to continue to work with key stakeholders through advocacy efforts to ensure WASH prioritisation.

    Ms. Bibian Ama from the NEWSAN secretariat, urged states to improve on their efforts as the Programme had a timeline that was running out and the need for progress to be made.

    Mr Musa Buba, Managing Director of  Taraba Water Agency and Sewerage Corporation (TAWASCO), commended the efforts of NEWSAN in promoting advocacy for sustainable water and sanitation services in the country.

    He said access to WASH cannot be overemphasised by anyone as it is central to sustainable development at all times.

    Buba  said the agency would continue to support the CSOs in the state for a cleaner and healthier environment.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that five states of Osun, Gombe, Taraba, Plateau and Jigawa had representatives who spoke about advocacy efforts with commitment to do more in the coming days. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

    TAK/JPE

    =======

    Edited by Joseph Edeh

  •  Environmental Day: N-HYPPADEC advises Kogi residents on tree planting

    Trees
    By Thompson Yamput
    Lokoja, June 6, 2024 (NAN) The National Hydroelectric Power Producing Areas Development Commission (N-HYPPADEC) has enjoined the residents of Kogi to cultivate habit of tree  planting to prevent flooding and environmental degradation.

    Kogi N-HYPPADEC Coordinator Joan Oguche made the call in Lokoja during inauguration of Tree planting exercise at Federal University Lokoja (FUL) to commemorate the 2024 World Environment Day.

    Oguche warned against indiscriminate felling of trees without replacement and clogging of the drains with sewage.

    “Celebrating the Environment Day brings to our consciousness to appreciate the environment and make it a better place for habitation and better life

    “This is why the theme for this year’s celebration — “Land Restoration, Desertification, and Drought Resilience” — is carefully chosen,” she said.

    Kogi Commissioner for Environment Joseph Olusegun also applauded the choice of this year’s theme of the observance.

    Represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Alhaji Jibrin Saidu, the commissioner said that planting of trees was one of the ways of curtailing deforestation and drought in a society.

    “That is the reason why we came here today with trees to plant so that we can help limit deforestation and drought,” he said.

    Dr Thompson Ekele, Kogi Chairman of National Environmental Society, also said that the best way to control drought and desertification “is by planting trees; we have come with the trees to plant to lead by example”.

    He urged the students to endeavour to plant trees and to encourage their parents to embrace the culture of planting trees to beautify and protect the environment.

    Prof. Yusuf Abdullahi, FUL Dean of Students Affairs, appreciated the partnership between the university and N-HYPPADEC, which he described as beneficial.

    “It will interest you to know that planting of trees is one of the cardinal objectives of the university to make the campus to look green and also assist in checking the perennial erosions that threaten the campus on yearly basis.

    “Therefore, these trees donated to us will go a long way in helping us at checkmating erosions and provision of shades for our students to take some rest after lectures”, Abdullahi said.(NAN(www.nannews.ng)
    TYC/KAY
    =======
    Edited by Kayode Olaitan

  • Onuigbo seeks urgent climate action on climate change

    Onuigbo seeks urgent climate action on climate change

    By Tosin Kolade

    Abuja, June 6, 2024 (NAN) Former member of House of Representatives, Chief Sam Onuigbo has called for unified efforts across society to address environmental and climate challenges in the country

    Onuigbo made the call in a statement he issued on Abuja on Thursday in commemoration of the 2024 World Environment Day.

    The theme for this year’s edition is: “Land Restoration, Desertification, and Drought Resilience”.

    Onuigbo, who represents South-East in the North-East Development Commission, described the theme as timely and appropriate for a secure and sustainable future.

    The former federal lawmaker who sponsored the Climate Change Bill which gave rise to the Climate Change Act said desertification and drought had severely impacted 11 northern states, covering approximately 1531 kilometres.

    Onuigbo said some of the environmental challenges facing the regions, including the drying up of Lake Chad, forced migration, competition for scarce resources, and security issues.

    He linked these challenges to broader climate change issues, underscoring the need for robust environmental and climate change frameworks in Nigeria.

    He highlighted the country’s adherence to international environmental mandates, referencing the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), and the Paris Agreement, among others.

    These frameworks, he said, are vital for addressing climate change, biodiversity, and desertification, with the ultimate goal of creating a sustainable environment.

    Onuigbo praised Nigeria’s legislative efforts, particularly the Climate Change Act 2021, which he sponsored.

    The Act aims to achieve low greenhouse gas emissions and promote green growth by integrating climate change actions into national development priorities.

    He also noted the importance of community involvement and education in climate action, as outlined in various sections of the Act.

    The lawmaker highlighted President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s leadership in climate action, noting initiatives like the Africa Great Green Wall and Nigeria’s goal to plant 25 million trees by 2030.

    He said Nigeria’s commitment to the Paris Agreement, the establishment of the National Council on Climate Change, highlighted the country’s readiness to participate in global carbon markets.

    Onuigbo said during the Africa Climate Summit in Nairobi, leaders noted the urgent need to meet the SDGs by 2030, noting that 600 million Africans still lack electricity and 970 million lack clean cooking facilities.

    He said clean energy was crucial for reducing emissions and supporting vulnerable communities.

    “Nigeria has taken clear steps towards addressing lack of access to electricity and clean cooking through the movement of electricity from the Exclusive List to Concurrent List and the subsequent enactment of the Electricity Act 2023.

    “This was signed into law by President Tinubu about ten days after assumption of office. In addition, the Federal Executive Council in early April, 2024 approved a National Policy on Clean Cooking.

    “One thing has been established beyond doubt: Climate Change is borderless and affects everybody”, he said.

    The World Environment Day is celebrated every June 5 annually to encourage communities to take action towards protecting the environment.

    It is also to advocate for policy changes and promote environmental policies at local, national, and international levels.

    Meanwhile, Prof. Chinedum Nwajiuba, the Vice Chancellor, Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Alike-Ndufu, Ebonyi State, has commended Onuigbo for sponsoring Nigeria’s Climate Change Act, 2021 in the 9th National Assembly.

    Nwajiuba made the commendation during the 2024 World Environment Day celebrating at the National Roots Crops Research Institute, Umidike, Abia State where Onuigbo delivered the keynote address.

    He acknowledged the importance of the Act which he described as Sam Onuigbo Climate Change Act.

    He urged Nigerians, both in private and public sectors to join hands and fight climate crisis, adding that it was an existential threat. (NAN)

    TAK/KUA

    ========

    Edited by Uche Anunne