Environment

The Challenge Of Biodiversity In The Niger Delta

Published

9 years ago

December 4, 2017

Issues of insecurity and poverty in the Niger Delta region were at the front burner of a recent project steering committee meeting of the Niger Delta Biodiversity conservation programme.
The Niger Delta Biodiversity conservation programme is a United Nation’s Development Programme (UNDP)- sponsored programme to preserve the natural resources of the region from extinction.
Information obtained from the website of the organisation defines the goal of the programme as a contribution towards the sustainable use of the significant biological diversity in the Niger Delta to uplift the living standard of the people.
According to the UNDP, “the project is to mainstream biodiversity management priorities into the Niger Delta oil and gas sector development policies and operations.”
Aligned with the Global Environment Facilities (GEF), the project also seeks to strengthen the policy and regulatory framework for mainstreaming biodiversity.
The UNDP also said that, “the project will target Nigeria’s oil and gas sector which is the backbone of Nigeria’s economy.
The Niger Delta biodiversity project is currently running in four states of the region. The states are Akwa-Ibom, Delta, Bayelsa and Rivers States.
Thus, the project steering committee meeing which held in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State captial was to take stock of achievements recorded so far with a view to planning ahead.
The meeting was attended by all members of the committee, including traditional rulers, officials of the conservation programme, community leaders, members of the civil society, top civil servants, members of the academia, journalists and others drawn from the four implementing states of Rivers, Akwa-Ibom Delta and Bayelsa.
Day one of the meeting featured the project over view, progress report, actions from last project steering committee (PSC) meeting states/key, achievements of 2017, implementation, midterm review, state/community updates by the four states as well as updates by oil companies.
Also featured were special sessions on project implementation challenges/ risk, state government commitment, community, oil companies engagements, project sustainability and recommendations.
Day two witnessed the presentation of priorities for 2018, draft work plan for 2018 as well as discussions and endorsement of the 2018 draft workplan.
National coordinator of the programme, Dr Mathew Dore said that within the past three years, the UNDP has evolved measures towards the preservation of rare animal and plant species in the Niger Delta region.
Dr Dare added that, several studies were carried out within the last three years on variety of issues, one of which was reforestation, stressing that in this world of climate change, the UNDP was aligning and engaging with oil bearing communities to protect globally endangered species.
Accordingly, over 54,000 trees of various species have been planted across the four implementing states. Dr Dore listed communities that benefitted from the tree planting programme to include, Esit Eket, and Odio in Akwa-Ibom state, Kwana, Magho, Afara Etche and Alesa Eleme in Rivers State.
In Bayelsa , Ogbogolo Samgbe, Oluasiri, Zarama, Ayama, Adigbe and Biseni were beneficiaries of the tree planting programme while in Delta State planting and scoping were carried out at Umuaja, profiling of Abigborodo community in Delta North, engagement of the people of Abigborodo in mangrove tree planting, while a study on the use of raffia palm was carried out in the community.
Furthermore, in Delta State, trees were planted in Patani, Udipbori, while the existing man and animal relationship were preserved by ensuring the survival of the West African dwarf crocodile in Emu community in Ndokra West Local Government area.
Dr Dore said that several communities in the region were taught on the conversion of water hyacinth to produce organic manure.
He described the Niger Delta as a complex ecosystem, adding that the problems of poverty, hunger and deprivations in the region have made it difficult for people to conserve their natural resources.
Also speaking, the former Regional Manager, Environment, Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria (SPDC), Engr Charles Oforo, said that sustainability of the project depended on the collaboration between the UNDP, multinational oil companies operating in the region, the various state governments and the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC). Engr Okoro said that the communities must be made to see the project as their own, while the government must take the issue of conservation seriously. He particularly criticised the NDDC for not giving serious attention to issue of biodiversity conservation in the region, adding that the three percent annual budget of oil companies to the commission are not meant for the purchasing of vehicles but to empower the people and preserve the Niger Delta ecosystem.
Also speaking Professor Maxwell Iweghue of Delta State University, Abraka, regretted that the governments were not giving attention to the issue of biodiversity conservation in the country.
The university don also decried the lack of drainages and parks in most cities in the country, adding that time has come for the society to appreciate the importance of the ecosystem and take practical steps to preserve them.
He commended the UNDP for the efforts so far, but stressed the need for more awareness programme on the importance of conservation.
For Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Delta State, Mrs Ukem Ajofo, the state government is ready to assist the UNDP to actualise the project in Delta state.
A traditional ruler, HRH, Samuel Ekaso, from Odio Community Eket, urged for more effort by the UNDP to check the ravaging effect of the Nipa palm in communities in the Eke area of Akwa-Ibom state.
He also called for a trust fund for communities with a view to empowering them to protect their environment.
Each of the states affected in the programme also took time to highlight areas of challenges in the implementation of the programme.
The four states which spoke on implementation of challenges/risk identified bureaucracy, lack of government commitment, issues of conservation, poverty as well as inadequate manpower in forestry management in the region as some of the problems they experience. They also identified youth restiveness, incessant demands for compensations by communities in the region and lack of alternative source of livelihood for the people.
The states stressed the need for poverty eradication programme, employment and training of forest guards in the region, while illegal oil bunkering and pipeline vandalisation be checked. The Niger Delta region has lost several of its animals and plant species to oil exploration and exploiting activities and the call for conservation is coming at a time when the region needs to regenerate itself with a view to preserving its resources to generations unborn.
Moreover, Nigeria is a signatory on the ban on trade on endangered species and the African convention on the preservation of nature and natural resources.

Environment

AEPB Reaffirms Commitment To Improved Waste Management, Sanitation Standards

Published

2 weeks ago

June 8, 2026

The Tide

The Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB) has reaffirmed its commitment to environmental sustainability by improving waste management infrastructure, and enforcing public health sanitation standards in the territory.

The Director of AEPB, Mrs Kate Ogbonna, said this at the 2026 FCT World Environment Day Commemoration Symposium on Friday in Abuja.

“As the custodian of the FCT environment, AEPB remains committed to promoting environmental sustainability through effective environmental monitoring, pollution control and waste management amongst others.

“Today, we join millions of people across the globe in commemorating World Environment Day, the United Nations’ foremost platform for promoting environmental awareness and action.

“The theme for this year’s commemoration: Climate Change and Urbanisation – Building Resilient Cities,” is particularly relevant to our rapidly changing world,” Ogbonna said.

She said that while cities remained centres of economic growth, innovation, and human development, they are also increasingly exposed to climate-related challenges such as flooding, pollution and environmental amongst others.

“We engaged 54 waste management service contractors to further strengthened environmental sanitation across the city.

“Ongoing infrastructural development in satellite towns and sub-urban communities is improving connectivity and reducing development pressure on the city centre,” the AEPB director said.

She explained that these interventions aligns closely with the objectives of 2026 theme and demonstrates practical steps towards building resilient and sustainable cities.

She stated that the participation of schools in this annual commemoration remained a vital component of the environmental education efforts.

“By engaging young people in environmental conversations and activities, we are helping to nurture a generation that is better equipped to champion sustainable development and environmental stewardship,” Ogbonna said.

Also speaking, Chief Felix Obuah, Coordinator of the Abuja Metropolitan Management Council, said that climate change was no longer a distant concern and noted that Abuja, as Nigeria’s capital, was not insulated from its realities.

“World Environment Day provides an important opportunity for governments, institutions, communities, and citizens to reflect on environmental challenges and recommit themselves to sustainable solutions that will safeguard our common future.

“While urbanisation has brought significant economic opportunities, technological advancement, and improved access to services, it has also placed unprecedented pressure on natural resources, infrastructure, and the environment.

“Across the world, cities are experiencing rising temperatures, more frequent flooding, extreme weather events, declining biodiversity, and growing pressure on public infrastructure.

Obuah stated that these impacts threaten livelihoods, public health, economic productivity, and overall quality of life.

“The rapid expansion of residential communities, commercial activities, transportation networks, and supporting infrastructure has increased the demand for land, water, energy, and environmental services.

“At the same time, changing weather patterns have heightened concerns relating to flooding, erosion, and pressure on drainage infrastructure, while rapid urban growth continues to place additional demands on waste management systems and green spaces.

“The choices we make today in urban planning, environmental management, and climate adaptation will not only shape the future of the FCT but can also serve as a model for other cities across the country.”

He urged residents to build cities that are not only economically vibrant and socially inclusive but also environmentally sustainable and resilient to climate-related shocks.

“Resilient cities are cities that can anticipate risks, withstand disruptions, adapt to changing conditions, and recover quickly while maintaining essential services and protecting their citizens.

“The FCT Administration under the leadership of the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, remains committed to creating a modern, functional, and environmentally sustainable capital city.

“Through strategic investments in infrastructure, environmental sanitation, urban planning, drainage improvement, landscape enhancement, and regulatory enforcement, the Administration continues to strengthen Abuja’s capacity to respond to emerging environmental challenges.”

The coordinator assured that AMMC is working through its departments and agencies, AEPB to implement programmes aimed at promoting environmental sustainability and improving the quality of life of residents.

He urged the media to educate and mobilise the public adding that communities and residents must adopt environmentally responsible behaviours and actively participate in protecting their surroundings.

“As we deliberate during this symposium, I encourage all participants to engage constructively, share innovative ideas, and explore practical pathways for strengthening climate resilience within the FCT.

“Let this symposium serve as a catalyst for practical actions, stronger partnerships, and innovative solutions towards building a more resilient FCT.

“Together, we can build an Abuja that remains a model capital city for Nigeria, Africa, and the world; a city that balances development with environmental responsibility and leaves a lasting legacy for future generations,”Obuah said.

In a message to the symposium, Antonio Guterres, UN Secretary-General, said climate change has brought great harm to the ecosystem.

Guterres who was represented by Mrs Bolanle Elumekor, a Management Assistant at the United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) in Lagos, said that it was pertinent to fulfill climate financing promises to the developing countries.

Environment

Group Marks World Environment Day with Tree Planting, Awareness Campaigns

Published

2 weeks ago

June 8, 2026

The Tide

Green Planters and Trimmers Union together with students from various secondary schools in Bonny, Rivers State commemorate the 2026 World Environment Day with a call for environmental protection and sustainable living.

The event, held over the weekend at the Auditorium of the Bonny Youth Federation (BYF), featured participation from Bonny National Grammar School (BNGS), Universal Basic Education (UBE), Heaven on Earth Academy, Government Girls Secondary School (GGSS), and Finima Bonny Senior Secondary School.

National President, Green Planters and Trimmers Union, Henry Jumbo

Activities at the celebration included an interactive session with students, moderated by the Chairman of the Union, symbolic tree planting by participating schools alongside the union’s executive members, and group photographs with school delegations.

In his keynote address, founder and National President of the Green Planters and Trimmers Union, Henry Jumbo, emphasised the significance of green environments to human survival and development.

He noted that World Environment Day is celebrated annually on June 5, adding that the union, established in 2020, remains committed to promoting environmental sustainability through awareness and action.

Jumbo stressed that “wherever you see green, it is bounded to fruitfulness,” highlighting the connection between nature and human well-being. He described green plants as vital sources of oxygen, food, and economic resources, while also playing a crucial role in maintaining ecological balance.

He however warned against the dangers of deforestation, stating that the indiscriminate cutting down of trees leads to erosion, flooding, landslides, loss of animal habitats, air pollution, and a decline in air quality.

According to him, the depletion of forests also contributes to economic hardship and loss of livelihoods, particularly for communities that depend on natural resources.

The environmental advocate further explained that trees help regulate water flow and prevent natural disasters, noting that the absence of forests increases the risk of flooding, especially in riverine areas like Bonny.

Jumbo urged students and residents to embrace nature and take deliberate steps to protect the environment, including planting trees and maintaining cleanliness in their surroundings.

The event underscored the importance of grassroots sensitisation, with the union encouraging young people to become active participants in environmental conservation.

The Green Planters and Trimmers Union adopted the slogan “Evergreen! Ever Fruitful!!” as a reminder of the continuous need to preserve and sustain the environment for future generations.

Environment

Climate Change Group Charged To Plate Trees

Published

2 weeks ago

June 8, 2026

The Tide

World Environment Day, a group, Journalists For Sustainable Development Initiative (JSDI) has called on all and sundry to imbibe the habit of planting trees to combat the effect of climate change on the environment.

?Executive Director of of the Group, Dr. Parry Saroh Benson gave the charge while adressing journalists on the sideline of a symposium to mark the day, organised in partnership with the Federal University of Environment Technology, Ogoni and the Centre for Climate Change and Forest Resources, Rivers State University, in Saakpenwa, Tai Local Government Area of Rivers State.

?He said the impact of climate change is now glaring, hence the need for everyone to double efforts in ensuring trees are planted on a daily basis.

?”Every man should learn to plant a tree. Planting trees is an exercise that should be done on daily basis because we all are now experiencing the impact of climate change. It has come to stay.

?”Everybody is complaining there is heat, there is so much sun. In fact, since January up until now, we do not know when it’s rainy season and when it’s dry season here in Rivers state like we used to experience. This is because of climate change, ” he said.

?Benson appealed to people of Rivers State and South South Region in particular who suffer much from air pollution due to exploration activities to plant trees around their environments.

?He noted that tree planting would enable the region have clean air to breathe.

?”We are appealing to everyone here in the South-South; plant a tree every day because tree planting will enable us have clean air. Trees around bring about clean air, ” he appealed.

?The climate ambassador further urged residents of the region to take activities around their environment seriously saying that whatever affects the environment, affects everyone.

?”Our message is that we must plant trees, and everyone should be concerned about his environment. This is not the time to act like “I don’t care”, “I don’t know what is happening”. No. We all must know what is happening in our environment because climate change has come to stay, ” he maintain.