Environment
Environmentalist Wants Forest Cover Policies
The Project
Coordinator centre for Ecological and Community Development (CECD) Mr John Akinnuba, has called for the enactment of policies to protect up to 25 percent forest cover in the country.
Mr Akinnuba who said this in an interview with newsmen in Port Harcourt also called for the creation of awareness, especially in the rural areas to protect the nation’s forest cover.
He said that Nigeria currently had less than 10 percent of forest cover, stressing that this is far below the standard recommended by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO).
According to him, the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) said that Nigeria should have 25 percent of its forest as a protected area.
“Today, we do not even have 10 percent of Nigeria landscape as a protected area” he said.
The environmentalist stressed the need for the government to consider the setting up of 25 percent of Nigeria forest cover as a protected area.
“We shall have policies that will target the protection of 25 percent of our forest cover.
“This awareness needs to be taken to the communities because most of our forest reserves have been given out for agricultural purposes and this reduces our forest” Akinnuba said.
The coordinator who cited the Brazil and Ethiopia examples of protecting forests close to their river bunks, urged that Nigeria could do similar things to reduce ecological challenges in the country.
He criticised the government for not being strict with the oil companies especially on the issue of gas flaring, stressing that the Clean Development Meonanism (CDM) given by government to the companies has failed to achieve the desired result.
Akinnuba stressed the need for proactive steps by the government to make companies comply with environmental standard.
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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