Environment
Gas Flaring: Nigeria Ranked Second In The World
Ogunpa Canal literally overtaken by refuse dumped by residents of Ibadan
Nigeria has been
rated as the second highest gas flaring nation in the world.
This was contained in a report entitled, “after Bodo”, effective remedy and recourse options for victims of environmental degradation delated to oil extraction in Nigeria” issued by the Centre for Environment Human Rights and Development ( CEURD) in Port Harcourt.
The publication, which said that the country also accounts “for over 10 per cent of total gas flared globally also lamented the lack of incentives for oil producing communities in the country.
“Few will dispute that environmental degradation is rampant throughout the oil producing region of Nigeria ‘whether due to oil spills, gas flaring, dumping of waste associated with drilling, artisanal refining of other related activities, the impacts on land, water and vegetation and consequently on human livelihoods and health are widespread and severe.
“There is little hope that each environmental degradation will lesson or lease, unless there are serious and sustained multilateral efforts to curb pollution and remediate the environment” in the report, also described as unfortunate the unavailability of policies to formally tackled oil related pollution in the Niger Delta. “Unfortunately, at present, the proper incentives are not in placed for government and the oil industry, licensed and unlicensed/black market to firmly tackle oil-related pollution as they would, if they are truly committed to the well being of citizens and the environment.
“Instead, an easy calculation reveals hefty profits on one side and relatively minor available penalties imposed for pollution or lack of cleaning up.
“Litigation risks are limited and spin machines manage to counter reputational risks” it said.
The centre stressed the need for persons or communities affected by oil-related environmental degradation to be allowed to access real and sufficient remedy, stressing that the remedy must be equivalent to immediate short-term and long term harms and losses they suffered.
The group also stressed the need for oil companies to always take responsibilities for oil-related pollution, adding that communities in the Niger Delta will no longer accept the situation where oil companies blamed every pollution on sabotaged.
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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