Environment
Lecturer Blames EIAs Neglect For Negative Impacts On Projects
The negative impacts
of projects in the Niger Delta have been blamed on lack of proper attention to Environmental Impact Assessment studies on projects in the region.
The Head of Department Institute of Pollution Studies Rivers State University of Science and Technology (RSUST) Port Harcourt, Dr Tubonimi Ideriah who said this in an interview with The Tide in Port Harcourt said that most communities did not study the contents of Environmental Impact Assessment Reports, even when such reports are displayed in their areas.
He also criticised local government councils for failing to take note of EIA reports in their viccinities, noting that councils need to have standing committees in their respective areas to evaluate every report as it concerns projects in their areas.
Meanwhile, the university don has blamed the prevalence of cancer and other diseases in the Niger Delta on pollution.
He said that some pollutants are cancerous.
“These days certain diseases are becoming prevalent. These are caused by some of the particles polluting the environment. “The environment is polluted because some level of pollutants exceeded their limits.
“These are dangerous to lives of organizations, both acquatic lives and others” he said.
Dr Ideriah said that once the environment was polluted the entire ecosystem will be affected and these can lead to the deaths of organisms living in such environment.
He stressed the need for the continuous monitoring of the environment with the view to ascertaining the level of pollution, adding that the institute of pollution studies have produced series of reports on the monitoring of pollution in the region.
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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