Environment
NES Challenges Govt On Environmental Protection Bill
The Nigerian Environ
mental Society (NES) has challenged the Rivers State government to put up bill that would protect the Rivers environment from the hazards emanating from the oil and gas activities operational in the state.
Speaking to newsmen in Port Harcourt, the National President, Nigerian Environmental Society, Olu Auder Wai-Ogosu, stated that the major challenge facing the state in the environmental sector was poor vegetation, forestry, ground water, air pollution among others adding that these effects have slowed down the pace of local artisan agriculture efforts in the state.
Wai-Ogosu, who noted however, that oil and gas activities have come to stay in the state stressed the need for modalities to check their excesses on the environment with the basic modality being a bill in the state Assembly.
According to him, “each state or area has its own ecological terrain. In Rivers State, the major challenge in the environmental area has to do with the adverse effects of oil and gas activities on almost every aspect of the state’s environment including the land and of cause, vegetation and we need a bill to check it.”
He said these activities have produced chain of problems ranging from water pollution to bunkering, illegal refineries among others adding that those on the coastline have killed all the mangrove upon which some citizens of the state depend on for survival.
“Thus, the challenge is so much on the government and to begin with, it has to put up concrete and all-encompassing bill for the safety of its environment and residents,” Ogosu said.
While noting that the passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) would cut down on some of the effects, the NES President stated however that the PIB lacks a lot that it passed would not cater for the overall environmental issues saying “it needs to be well-drafted to achieve its purpose”.
Wail-Ogosu further called on the industrial, construction, manufacturing and other companies operating in the state to devise proper waste management systems to reduce the hazards on the state and its environment.
Lady Godknows Ogbulu
The National Orientation Agency (NOA) on Thursday, launched an awareness campaign, aimed at educating residents on the increasing impact of climate change.
The campaign also seeks to enlighten residents on the urgent need for personal and community protection measures.
During the launch in Uyo on Thursday, the Akwa Ibom Director of NOA, Mr Mkpoutom Mkpoutom, said that the campaign aims at enlightening residents, about the changes in weather patterns.
He said that this includes unpredictable rise in temperatures, and how these changes threaten public health across the state.
Mkpoutom noted that the current weather was not harmattan, but an extreme form of air pollution, which is harmful to health as it could cause oxidative stress which affects body balance.
“Our environment is changing rapidly, and the effects are evident in the disruptions faced by our communities.
“It is paramount that every citizen of Akwa Ibom understands these changes and take necessary steps to protect themselves, their families, and their livelihoods,” he said.
He appealed to citizens to take the following precautions which include wearing of nose mask, drinking sufficient water, covering of food and water to keep away dust, washing fruits thoroughly before eating, among others.
He directed all NOA structures within the state to engage with local communities through town hall meetings and collaboration.
He also urged engagement with schools and community leaders, to disseminate vital information on early warning signs, as well as safety protocols during extreme weather conditions.
The Chairman of Epe Local Government Area of Lagos State, Ms Surah Animashaun, has urged traders of Aiyetoro and Oluwo fish markets to consistently ensure a hygienic trading environment.
She urged the traders to maintain cleanliness and observe proper environmental sanitation in the markets.
Animashaun said this during a visit to some of the market areas in Epe on Saturday.
She said that clean markets were critical to public health.According to her, poor sanitation could lead to the outbreak of communicable diseases, especially in fish markets, where waste management must be handled with extra care.
The council chairman urged traders to dispose of refuse appropriately, avoid indiscriminate dumping of waste, and ensure regular cleaning of stalls and surroundings
She noted that environmental hygiene is a collective responsibility, adding that everyone should be involved in this development.
Animashaun also warned that the local government would not hesitate to enforce existing environmental laws, including sanctions against defaulters.
She assured traders of the council’s commitment to providing adequate waste disposal facilities and regular monitoring to sustain a clean and healthy market environment.
The council boss also urged traders to desist from selling by the roadside, so as to avoid accidents, noting that several motor accidents had occurred along the Aiyetoro market area.
“We, therefore, urge traders to stop selling on the roadside,” she said.
President, Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Mrs Margaret Oguntala, has inaugurated the construction of 18 units residential terrace in highbrow Alausa area of Lagos toward bridging the nation’s shelter gap.
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