Environment
Ministry Urges Investment In Bamboo Production
The Federal Ministry of
Environment has called on both corporate bodies and individuals to invest in bamboo production.
The Desk Officer for Bamboo and Rattan Production in the ministry, Mr Adebayo Ibrahim, made the call in an interview with newsmen in Abuja.
Ibrahim said the industry had the potential to boost the nation’s economy in the area of non-oil production resources.
According to him, bamboo is a gold mine that can employ many people and also create wealth for many Nigerians.
He said that the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO), in collaboration with the ministry and the International Network for Bamboo and Rattan (IMBAR), had developed a white paper; for investing in a green future bamboo value chain in the country.
Ibrahim said the value chain had envisaged a development from nursing and seed raising, planting and harvesting to processing and marketing.
He said the value chain process, targeted farming communities where the entire production process would be carried out within plantation farms.
He said the document also developed a technical and business skill for private bamboo processors as well as improving capacities in harvesting and post-harvest treatment.
According to him, the document has also developed and improved the marketing skills for the people.
The desk officer, who is also an Assistant Director in the ministry, said that UNIDO had also pledged 150,000 dollars for the provision of expertise and machines for enhancing bamboo production in the country.
Ibrahim said the Federal Government, as part of its counterpart funding, had commenced the reactivation of the National Forest Utilisation Centre in Benin.
He said the centre, owned by the Federal Department of Forestry, had all the infrastructure required for wood processing.
“The Federal Government will renovate the centre, while UNIDO will bring technicians and machines for the processing of bamboo.
“UNIDO will also train artisans and rural farmers on bamboo processing.
“The UNIDO funding pattern in this case is not going to be in cash,’’ he said.
Ibrahim said the ministry had inaugurated a steering committee known as the National Bamboo and Rattan Development Programme (NBARDEP).
He said the committee had already identified stakeholders in the production of bamboo, adding that it was building synergies with relevant agencies of government as well as the private sector.
Ibrahim said the ministry was working hard to ensure that the production of bamboo commenced in a most robust manner, adding that the ministry was in partnership with many relevant agencies.
Reports say that bamboo production is the brainchild of the Federal Ministry of Environment.
The first national stakeholder’s sensitisation workshop on the sustainability and development of bamboo and rattan in Nigeria was held in Benin in 2012.
A building devastated by rainstorm in Rivers State, recently.
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.
