Environment
RMRDC Set To Fight Environmental Degradationa
The Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC) has canvassed the use of cassava starch to fight environmental degradation.
The council’s Director General, Prof. Azikiwe Onwualu, made the call on Tuesday in Ibadan at a workshop on production of biodegradable green plastics and monosodium glutamate from cassava starch.
Onwualu, who said the technology for the production was already established in many developed countries, noted that proliferation of plastic disposables and bottled water containers had become a menace to the physical and soil environment in the country.
He called for a mass enlightenment campaign for a shift from the use of non-biodegradable plastic packaging materials to biodegradable materials.
Biodegradable materials, he said, were safer and more environmentally friendly, the director-general, who was represented by Mrs Angela Uboh, a top official of RMRDC, said.
To deploy cassava starch for industrial uses of biodegradable green plastics and monosodium glutamate, Onwualu called for the development of early varieties of cassava suitable for mechanical harvesting and peeling.
He also called for an efficient as well as integrated production and marketing strategy to ensure steady supply of the crop to local industries and foreign markets.
Dr Adeniyi Afolabi, a chemistry lecturer at the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, said the use of cassava starch in the production of biodegradable plastics in the country would stimulate more interest in cassava production.
This, he added, would reduce unemployment and create an eco-friendly biodegradable plastic capable of decaying harmlessly in the environment.
Afolabi said while Nigeria remained the world’s largest producer of cassava starch, less than 10 per cent of its produce was being channeled into industrial use.
The state’s Coordinator of RMRDC, Dr Gabriel Awolehin, said the challenge of meeting the raw material needs of increasing cassava products should not rest with cassava farmers alone.
“ Government has a role of appropriate policy decisions that encourage and protect the farmers and processors.
“ Agricultural development agencies need to have production target to support by provision of inputs, land and technical services,’’ he said.
He called on the country’s financial institutions to make loans freely available at single digit interest so that cassava farmers would be empowered to increase their production capacities.
The RMRDC workshop was organised in conjunction with the South-West Zone of National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) and the Oyo State Ministry of Environment and Habitat.
The objectives of the workshop included creation of awareness on the adverse effects of waste plastic, the diversification from common use of cassava and generation of foreign exchange from export of the crop.
The Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) has issued a seven-day flood advisory, warning of a medium flood risk in 17 states between July 21 and July 27.
The agency said the alert followed rising water levels at key river monitoring stations, increasing the likelihood of localised flooding along river channels and floodplains.
NIHSA Director-General, Umar Mohammed, disclosed this in National Flood Advisory (Alert No. NFA-2026-200) issued on Tuesday.
He said the affected states are Adamawa, Bauchi, Benue, Borno, Edo, Gombe, Imo, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Kebbi, Nasarawa, Niger, Plateau, Taraba, Yobe and Zamfara.
According to Mohammed, river levels at Saminara on the Karam River, Waya Dam Site on the Waya River and Amber on the Amber River had exceeded watch and warning thresholds.
He said 16 gauging stations nationwide were recording elevated river stages, placing nearby communities at risk of localised flooding.
Mohammed urged state governments, local authorities and residents of flood-prone communities to take precautionary measures immediately.
NIHSA said Bauchi had the highest exposure, with 1,841 communities, 145 schools, 101 health facilities and eight markets identified as vulnerable.
The agency also identified vulnerable communities and public facilities in Edo, Imo, Kaduna, Plateau and Benue states.
Mohammed urged the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), State Emergency Management Agencies (SEMAs), local governments and community leaders to activate emergency response plans.
He recommended relocating residents, livestock and valuables from floodplains to safer locations
He also advised emergency agencies to pre-position food, medical supplies and water treatment materials in areas likely to be affected.
“The NIHSA boss called for community mobilisation through early warning volunteers and local communication channels to ensure timely dissemination of flood alerts.
He cautioned residents against walking, driving or riding through flooded roads, bridges and fast-flowing waterway.
A cleaner environment begins with collective responsibility. That commitment was evident across Umuahia on Saturday as thousands of residents turned out to participate in the July monthly environmental sanitation exercise, with officials describing the compliance level as one of the most encouraging in recent months.
The impressive turnout has renewed hope that Abia’s campaign for a cleaner and healthier environment is steadily becoming a culture rather than a routine exercise.
The July monthly environmental sanitation exercise in Umuahia recorded about 80% compliance.
The Abia State Ministry of Environment described the turnout as a strong indication that residents are embracing Governor Alex Otti’s vision for a cleaner, healthier and more sustainable environment, while calling for the establishment of Neighbourhood Environmental Watch groups to sustain the momentum.
The Abia State Government has commended residents of Umuahia for their impressive participation in the July monthly environmental sanitation exercise, describing the turnout as a strong indication that citizens are embracing the state’s campaign for a cleaner and healthier environment.
Speaking after monitoring the exercise across major parts of the Umuahia metropolis, the Permanent Secretary, Abia State Ministry of Environment, Mr. Ikechukwu Oriuwa, expressed satisfaction with the level of compliance and urged residents to sustain the momentum.
According to him, the success recorded during the exercise reflects growing public support for the environmental agenda of the Labour Party-led administration.
“I think, so far, so good. At this point, what we need to do is sustain the momentum. We should move forward with establishing a Neighbourhood Environmental Watch so that residents can monitor compliance and ensure the initiative is sustained,” he said.
Mr. Oriuwa further applauded both residents and the organisers for the success of the exercise.
“Well, I must say I am very impressed. I appreciate the organisers for putting this programme together. It has been highly impressive, and I believe participants have learnt a great deal. From what I have observed so far, everything has been well organised, and I think they are doing an excellent job. I encourage them to keep up the good work because programmes like this are beneficial to everyone,” he added.
The Permanent Secretary stressed that environmental sanitation should become a daily culture rather than an activity observed only on designated sanitation days.
Drawing from an Igbo proverb, he explained why communities must collectively protect their environment.
“An Igbo proverb says that a goat owned by the public often goes hungry. That is why establishing a Neighbourhood Environmental Watch is important. It will encourage residents to take collective responsibility for keeping their surroundings clean and ensuring that sanitation efforts are sustained.”
He also urged government agencies to strengthen enforcement by deploying environmental health officers to carry out routine inspections and ensure compliance with sanitation laws.
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