Environment
Table Water Producers Lament Imposition Of Levies
Table water producers in Rivers State have lamented the imposition of special levy by the the Bayelsa State Government on water coming into the state from Rivers State.
Chairman of the Association of Table Waters Producers of Nigeria (ATWAP), Rivers State, Mr. Eyberi Odiri Mackson who said this in an exclusive interview with The Tide in Port Harcourt claimed that the Bayelsa State Government has imposed a levy of N200 per bag of water coming into the state from Rivers State.
He also claimed that members can nolonger assess Okarki, a community in Ahoada West Local Government Area to supply water to them.
“We can nolonger access Okarki and other communities within the area to supply water to them, while water from Bayelsa State is now flooding Omoku Mbiama and Ahoada”.
He said that the association has already petitioned the Bayelsa State Government and the State House of Assembly on the issue, while the Rivers State Government has also been notified on the issue.
He said that time has come for the Rivers State Government to look into the matter with a view to ensuring that the association gets water across to Okarki and other communities in Ahoada West Local Government Area which are part of Rivers State.
Meanwhile, Mr. Mackson has alleged that the involvement of foreigners in the waters sector of the country is capable of denying millions of employment opportunities in the sector.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with The Tide in Port Harcourt, he also said the situation has put the lives of Nigerian at risk.
He said the situation has underscored the need for government to implement the local content policy in the water sector.
The ATWAP chairman said that Nigerians have the capacity to produce water for the country’s teeming population.
He also said that the association has organized series of trainings for its members with a view to improving their capacities.
ATWAP he said is also worried over the proliferation of illegal water factories across the state, stressing that they are already collaborating with the security agencies to shut down these illegal factories.
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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