Environment
UNEP Report: Elemes Threaten Court Action Over Non-Recognition
The Eleme General As
sembly has threatened to take the Federal Government to court over its failure to recognize Eleme as a distinct ethnic nationality in the on-going implementation of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Report on the pollution of Ogoniland.
The threat is coming on the heels of announcement last week by the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Deziani Allison Madueke, to set up an institute in Ogoniland as recommended by the report.
President-General of the Assembly, Evangelist Jonah Chujor, however, told The Tide that Eleme which is not part of Ogoni deserves a distinct programme as far as UNEP is concerned.
Chujor also posited that it is a big mistake on the part of the government to label Eleme as an Ogoni community, noting that Eleme is as distinct as any other ethnic group in Rivers State.
He also criticized the minister of petroleum for failing to propose a measure to clean up Elemeland noting that his group would go to court for an injunction to stop the government from carrying out the cleanup exercise. “We have said times without numbers that Eleme is not part of Ogoni . If the Federal Government is doing anything about the cleanup, Eleme should be given distinct recognition,” he said.
Chujor also described Eleme as the worst impacted area, a situation that has underscored special recognition as far as the issue is concerned.
The Public Relations Officer of the Movement For The Survival Of Ogoni People, (MOSOP), Mr Bariara Kpalap, who reacted to the threat in an interview with The Tide described it as laughable.
Mr Kpalap said that the issues of Eleme being part of Ogoni is of no moment noting that the MOSOP President has already addressed that during a recent interview in Port Harcourt and urged Evangelist Chujor to cooperate with mosop to ensure the success of the cleanup.
Flooded road at Area 8, Garki, after a downpour in Abuja recently. Photo: NAN
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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