Environment

PH Residents Jittery Over Re-Emergence Of Black Soot

Published

8 years ago

July 30, 2018

The reemergence of the black-soot in Port Harcourt and its environs has again taken the front burner in the state.
These complaints are coming especially after months of respite.
The Tide learnt that some of the areas currently experiencing the problem include, Ada-George, Abuloma, Borikiri, Trans/Amadi Bunde Ama, Abonnema Wharf, Rumuokwurusi amongst others.
It would be recalled at the appearance of the soot two years ago, concerns were raised over the possible health implication of its pollution effects on the populace.
This situation led the government to immediately take urgent action to check the impending disaster.
It would be noted that the present administration under the able leadership of Governor Ezenwo Nyesom Wike had inaugurated a committee to proffer solution to the problem.
The government had also embarked on series of campaign to check the proliferation of illegal refining and the burning of tyres and confiscated crude from illegal refiners.
Further more environmental campaigners under the aegis of “stop the soot the campaign” had embarked on series of rallies across the city to demand for both State and Federal actions on the menace.
The protesters particularly called for an end to illegal oil refineries while the security agencies should caution its men from the burning of illegal crude oil laden vessels.
A cross section of respondents in the state believed that the action by the Government and the civil right activist were responsible for the partial disappearance of the soot.
But environmentalists and some other stakeholders have argued that there was noting like partial disappearance of the soot.They blamed the non appearance of the soot on weather condition.
Leading the pack of the experts is the former President of the Nigerian Environmental Society, Mr Olu Ander Wai-Ogosu.
Mr Wai Ogosu said it was wrong for people to believe that there was no soot in the atmosphere for sometime now, adding that the effect of the soot was reduced as a result of the incessant rainfall.
“An uninformed person will believe that there was no soot for sometime now because it was not visible to the eyes.
“This particulate substance had always been in the atmosphere but was being washed away by the rains”.
The former NES President further said that there is no way, the soot can go away as long as people continue with their old behaviour.
According to him, with the proliferation of illegal refineries, in the creeks, burning of tyres to entrant copper wire, using of firewood for cooking and the continuous destruction of barges and other vessels used for illegal oil bunkering the soot will continue to remain with us.
The environmentalist stressed the need for aggressive altitudinal change campaign by the relevant authorities, stressing that apart from the proliferation of artisanal refineries, the continuous use of firewood for cooking by communities is aiding and abetting global warming.
“Some unwholesome activities such as, burning of material wastes in the open air, illegal oil bunkering or artisanal refineries and use of tyres to burn animals, all these things are contributing to climate change.
Ogosu stressed the need for the problem to be tackled from its source. “It can be tackled from the source people should be stopped from burning tyres.
“Government should put effective measures to ensure that bunkered products are not destroyed but sent to the refinery”.
He also said that effort should be made to control the manner in which Obsolete trucks bellow black smoke into the atmosphere from their exhaust pipes.
“The shortest measure is to drastically change the attitude of people to burning wastes in dumpsites.
“There should be aggressive education to stop people from burning waste”.
Government should make gas available for cooking.
Also speaking the programme officer of the Centre for Environment Human Rights and Development (CEHRD), Mr. Steve Obodoekwe, described the reappearance of the soot as a sad development.
“It is too bad and saddening that Port Harcourt residents are still living with the soot menace.
“It is too bad that inspite of public outcries, no serious action has been embarked upon to end the soot by the federal government.
Mr. Obadoekwe also stressed the need for the government to carry out research to ascertain the actual causes of the problem adding that “while the study is awaited, gas flaring should be stopped”
Also the chairman, Health Safety and Environment Coommittee, Chinwo Town Port Harcourt, Prince William Chinwo, stressed the need for government to take concise and decisive action on the issue without compromise.
“The matter requires critical action by the State and Federal Governments he said.
It would be noted that the Rivers State government is leaving no stone unturned to solve the problem this time around.
If the statement by the State Commissioner for Health, Professor Princewill Chike at an event in Port Harcourt is anything to go by, the end of the soot is in sight.

Environment

WDC: Rivers State Deputy Governor, Prof. Odu Call Inclusion Of Woman And Girls Decision Making

Published

2 days ago

March 30, 2026

The Tide

The Deputy Governor of Rivers State, Ngozi Nma Odu, has called for greater inclusion of women and girls in decision-making processes across all sectors, stressing that amplifying their voices is critical to national development.

Rivers State Deputy Governor, Prof. (Mrs.) Ngozi Nma Odu (Right), Launching the CIFAL Nigeria’s Voices of Experiences during the Mentoring the Next Generation and Joint Commemoration of UN International Women’s Day and World Water Day at the Rivers State University Complex,

She made the call during the launch of the “Voices of Experience” mentorship programme and the joint commemoration of the International Women’s Day and World Water Day at Rivers State University on Tuesday.

Odu underscored the burdens borne by women, particularly in rural communities, where they play central roles in water sourcing and food production. She reaffirmed support for initiatives that promote gender advocacy, noting that women’s lived realities must inform policies.

She also stressed the need to sustain the 30 per cent affirmative action for women’s inclusion, urging women to emulate pioneers such as Margaret Ekpo and Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, who championed women’s rights in Nigeria’s past.

Drawing from local experience, Odu recounted how women in Egi community mobilised to demand change by peacefully protesting at an oil facility, demonstrating the power of collective action.

She further advocated partnerships with CIFAL Nigeria and UNITAR to deepen mentorship for young people, noting that such collaborations are essential for building inclusive governance and transferring values to future generations.

The Vice-Chancellor of the university, Isaac Zeb-Obipi, emphasised the need to recognise women’s contributions globally, particularly in water management. He called for increased investment in women’s education and empowerment to ensure access to clean water.

Zeb-Obipi also pledged to align the institution’s academic and research activities with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, while commending CIFAL Nigeria for its innovative programmes.

In her keynote address titled Inclusive Leadership: Building Institutions that Reflect All Voices, former Commissioner for Information, Ibim Semenitari, lamented declining female political representation. She noted that women’s participation, which rose from 1.8 per cent in 1999 to about 8 per cent in 2007, has dropped to roughly 4 per cent.

According to her, the issue is not participation but systemic exclusion, describing it as “a justice problem.” She also decried barriers facing youths and persons with disabilities, including limited access to leadership opportunities and inclusive education systems.

Director of CIFAL Nigeria, Ihuoma Njemanze, said the centre aims to bridge generational gaps by engaging young people—particularly digital natives—in conversations on women’s empowerment and sustainable development.

She disclosed plans to create platforms for dialogue, global exchanges and capacity-building initiatives aligned with UN goals.

Also speaking, Herritta Ogan identified cultural and institutional barriers as persistent obstacles to women’s advancement, while highlighting weak mentorship among women as a critical gap.

The event featured mentorship sessions, panel discussions and award presentations, reinforcing calls for inclusive leadership and sustained advocacy for gender equality.

Environment

FG Alls For stronger Partnerships, Women Inclusion In Water Governance

Published

2 days ago

March 30, 2026

The Tide

The Federal Government has called for stronger collaborations and increased participation of women in water governance to ensure equitable access to water and sanitation nationwide.

The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev, made the call at a news conference to commemorate the 2026 World Water Day.

He said the day, instituted by the United Nations, highlights the importance of freshwater and promotes sustainable management of water resources globally.

Utsev noted that the theme, “Water and Gender: Where Water Flows, Equality Grows,” underscores the link between water access, sanitation and gender equality, aligning with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 5 and 6.

The minister stressed that inclusive governance and women’s participation are essential for sustainable development and national growth.

Utsev said the ministry had constructed and rehabilitated over 6,700 water schemes, providing safe drinking water to more than 32 million Nigerians.

“Rural interventions have benefited over two million people, while about 500 additional projects were implemented across Benue, Jigawa, Gombe, Nasarawa, Bauchi, Borno, Yobe, Ogun, and Niger states.

According to the minister, the ministry has completed two National Water Quality Reference Laboratories in Asaba and Umuahia to enhance monitoring and protect public health.

“The Dadin Kowa irrigation scheme delivered 2,000 hectares of land to farmers, including women, while micro-irrigation projects were completed in Jigawa, Oyo, and Kwara, with additional schemes underway in Kebbi,” Utsev said.

“Other dams recording progress include Mangu, Adada, and Ogbesse, while Alau Dam in Borno is being strengthened to improve flood control and water supply to Maiduguri,” he added.

The minister said the National Water Resources Institute had trained over 1,500 youths in plumbing, drilling, and water technology, while 24 water-use licences were issued to ensure equitable allocation of resources.

He noted that River Basin Development Authorities had developed over 154,000 hectares of irrigable land, benefiting more than 1.6 million farmers.

Utsev reaffirmed government’s commitment to inclusive water access and dignified sanitation, urging all stakeholders to collaborate to ensure no one is left behind.

“Water must become a force for equality, empowerment, and sustainable development,” he said, commending development partners, state governments, civil society organisations, and traditional institutions for their support.

He stressed that sustained investment, stronger coordination across federal, state, and local levels, and political will are key priorities, with women’s meaningful participation in planning and decision-making central to success.

The ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Dr Emanso Umobong, said World Water Day highlights the critical link between water and gender, noting that access to safe water directly affects women’s health, education, and economic empowerment.

Umobong was represented by Dr Adebiyi Tajudeen, Director, Finance and Accounts Department in the ministry.

She said gender-responsive water systems are essential to equitable and inclusive societies, and thanked development partners, civil society, and the diplomatic community for their support.

Umobong added that advancing water and sanitation is a direct pathway to achieving SDG 6 and SDG 5, emphasising that gender-inclusive governance strengthens system sustainability and resilience.

She outlined strategies including gender-responsive planning, targeted financing for schools and health facilities, robust data systems, and partnerships promoting women’s leadership at all levels.

“World Water Day is not merely ceremonial; it is a global call to action,” she said, urging stakeholders to amplify the message: “When water flows, equality grows”.

She added that tangible projects demonstrate the impact of gender-responsive water governance, citing functioning schools, operational clinics, thriving markets, and resilient communities.

Highlights of the event included the presentation of the 2026 UN World Water Development Report, Water for All People: Equal Rights and Opportunities, by Dr Enang Momah from UNESCO.

The report said gender inequalities undermine global water security, disproportionately affecting women and girls, who, in spite of managing household water, remain underrepresented in governance and technical roles.

“Unequal access also affects health, education, livelihoods, and safety, currently, 2.1 billion people lack safely managed drinking water, with women and girls spending 250 million hours daily collecting it”.

The report warned that climate change, water scarcity, and disasters worsen these inequalities, calling for stronger action to ensure equal rights, participation, and opportunities in water management.

The Tide source reports that a sensitisation and awareness campaign was held at the Lugbe axis to promote safe water use, especially among vulnerable populations.

The event also featured the distribution of sanitary products to women and girls, as well as the presentation of trophies to winners of the hygiene video skit competition.

Environment

Environmentalists Raise Alarm As World Loses 10m

Published

2 days ago

March 30, 2026

The Tide

Vice-Chancellor of Igbinedion University, Okada, Prof. Lawrence Ezemonye, on Thursday raised concerns over accelerating global deforestation, revealing that an estimated 10 million hectares of forests are lost every year.

Ezemonye raised the concern during activities marking the International Day of Forests at the university in Edo.

According to him, the level of deforestation poses far-reaching environmental and socio-economic threats.

Ezemonye said that Nigeria was not insulated from the trend, citing data from the Food and Agriculture Organisation which ranked the country among those with the highest deforestation rates in Africa.

“The consequences of this loss are grave,” he said, pointing to rising cases of flooding, desertification, ecosystem collapse, displacement of communities and the worsening impacts of climate change.

Describing the annual observance as more than ceremonial, Ezemonye said it should serve as a rallying point for urgent action.

He added that universities must play a central role as “custodians of knowledge and incubators of solutions.”

The V-C reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to environmental sustainability, emphasising that it remained a core institutional value beyond academic discourse.

The commissioner, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Mr Victor Otamere, said “protecting the forests is protecting our lives.”

Adams said that the state government had taken steps to safeguard forest resources, including the establishment of the Edo Forestry Commission.

The Chairman of the Forestry Commission, Mr Valentine Asuen, represented by Area Forest Officer for Ovia North East, Mrs Joan Omosigho, acknowledged the mounting pressure on forest resources and urged Nigerians to take responsibility for its protection.

Nwangwu listed the activities to include agricultural expansion, urbanisation and illegal logging.

He urged participants to move beyond rhetoric and commit to practical actions that would reverse environmental degradation.

The Tide reports that event, themed “Forests and Economies”, drew attention to the critical role forests play in sustaining livelihoods and supporting global economic systems.