Environment
Association Flays Dumping Of Used Tyres In PH …Recommends Recycling Of Products
The Association of Environmental Lawyers of Nigeria (AELN), has decried the unwholesome practice of dumping used tyres in some parts of the Port Harcourt metropolis, with a call to the relevant authorities to do something urgently to stop the trend, describing the practice as unacceptable and worrisome, as such tyres are de-marketing Rivers State.
The body equally indicates that instead of indiscriminately dumping the tyres, they could be recycled for the benefits of the society.
The President of the association, Dr. Samuel Chisa Dike, who made the assertion in an interview with The Tide in Port Harcourt, said he had personally raised the issue of dumping heaps of tyres in the city with the former State Commissioner for Environment, Dr. Igbiks Tamuno.
He said the dumping of the used tyres in Port Harcourt, coupled with the indiscriminate burning of the products by some individuals constitutes grave environmental nuisance to residents of the State apart from de-marketing the State, and called for measures to be put in place to stop the trend.
Dike, who is the Head of Department, Jurisprudence and International Law at the Faculty of Law, Rivers State University, however, advised the government to take steps in ensuring that such used tyres are recycled and deployed for electricity generation, and other manufacturing purposes like production of hangers and tarring of roads, insisting that technologies abound by which such products could be put to better use.
To effectively achieve this, he said there was need to partner with other countries which have successfully recycled such products for the betterment of their societies.
The senior lecturer, who is also an Associate Professor of Energy and Environmental Law, said the dumping of the tyres apart from de-marketing the State, equally defaces the Port Harcourt metropolis.
“These tyres are de-marketing the State. The Governor is trying. You see flyovers here and there. But in the midst of this, going to the city centre to see heaps of tyres, this is a minus. Something has to be done urgently to complement what the Governor is doing to give the State a facelift,” he said, contending that “whoever had dumped those tyres is causing a lot of environmental problems here. Whoever had permitted their dumping is compromising to the problem. So, we must address it.”
Dike further noted that indiscriminate burning of tyres, animals and cattle by some individuals in the State constitutes grave danger to the health of the people, and called for the relocation of such individuals to a safer area where their activities would not constitute hazard to the lives of the people of the State.
According to him, soot being experienced in the State is not unconnected with the indiscriminate burning of tyres, oil and gas activities and other bio-degradable activities going on in the State.
The university teacher also decried a situation where gas flaring is still noticeable in the State, particularly in Aluu Community, among other communities, and called for the reinvigoration of the State Waste Management Agency (RIWAMA) to make it more result-oriented.
By: Donatus Ebi
The Ministry of Environment on Thursday in Abuja, advanced its National Adaptation Plan (NAP) process, validating a comprehensive plan aimed at tackling climate-related challenges in the country.
The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Alhaji Mahmud Kambari, said this at the Stakeholders Consultative Workshop on the Development of the concept notes to the Green Climate Fund (GCF) for NAP in Nigeria.
Kambari, who was represented by Mrs Victoria Pwol, the Deputy Director in the Department of Climate Change (DCC) in the ministry, said that the workshop is a collective resolve to confront the realities of climate change with purpose, strategy, and coordinated action.
“Over the past years, the Federal Government of Nigeria, with crucial support from the Green Climate Fund (GCF) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), has made significant progress in advancing the NAP process.
“As a nation, we stand at a critical juncture where climate risks ranging from extreme weather events to environmental degradation continues to threaten our socio-economic stability, food systems, public health, infrastructure, and national development aspirations.
“Through extensive technical work, we have completed a Climate Risk Assessment across all geopolitical and agro-ecological zones, developed an Economic Appraisal, an Adaptation Finance Strategy, and a robust Monitoring and Evaluation Framework.”
Kambari said that these foundational elements now guide Nigeria to identify priority adaptation needs and investment opportunities.
“Let me mention that we are at the tail end of this NAP Formulation Process and looking forward to the implementation phase.
“This workshop therefore serves as a strategic purpose to harmonise perspectives across key MDAs; refine project ideas into strong, evidence-based concept notes.
“It will ensure that proposed interventions align with national priorities and the investment criteria of the GCF and position Nigeria to competitively access the resources required to strengthen resilience across vulnerable sectors,” he said.
Dr Iniobong Abiola-Awe, the Director DCC in the Ministry said that the engagement would enhance achievements by collaboratively developing bankable, climate-resilient concept notes that align with national priorities and meet the GCF’s investment requirements.
Abiola-Awe who was represented by Dr Jonah Barde in the Ministry said that the workshop represented an important step in Nigeria’s ongoing efforts to strengthen climate resilience.
She added that the workshop would advance sustainable development, and mobilise the climate finance needed to safeguard Nigeria’s communities, ecosystems, and economy from the growing impacts of climate change.
Effective communication, transparency, and science-based risk assessments are the cornerstones of Nigeria’s approach to Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs).
Mr Bello Bwari, the Director-General, National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA), gave the assurance during a media interaction in Abuja on Friday.
“Where there is communication, you reduce conflict. Effective communication is key, effective engagement with stakeholders is paramount and key to making Nigeria better.
Bwari said anti GMO’s critics keep participants and practitioners on their toes.
“We value them and we expect that their criticisms, suggestions and recommendations will make our operations in the entire spectrum better.
“Where we are not doing so well, we will hear from them, where we can advance explanations, we will advance explanations. Where they are not doing well, we will tell them. We will not run away from doing that.
“But I want to assure you that we are bold enough to face anybody who is not fact-based,” he said.
He reassured that sometime before the end of the second quarter of 2026 there would be a retreat where all stakeholders would be invited.
“And also, the impact we are bringing is going to be measurable by the end of 2026. And going forward, what we do by the end of 2026 will form the basis of our five-year plan.
“There’s a five-year plan which will start at the end of 2026. So, I enjoin the media to please report what you know as a matter of fact, not as a matter of opinion.
“We all have different opinions, but some of our opinions are not facts. From the quality of what I see on papers, reportage, I think largely I’m impressed with what the press is doing in Nigeria so far,” he said.
Bwari stated that Nigerians deserved to understand what NBMA regulates, why they regulate it, and how decisions were made.
“Part of my focus going forward will be strengthening engagement with the media, researchers, policymakers, and the public because regulation works best when it is understood.
“We are not promoters of any technology, and we are not opponents of innovation. We are regulators.
“But at its core, biosafety is about prevention, caution, and preparedness. It is about ensuring that innovation does not outpace safety, and that national development never compromises public health or environmental integrity,” he said.
He promised to uphold the law without fear or favour, communicate more clearly with the public and ensure that every regulatory decision was transparent, evidence-based, and accountable
“NBMA is not an advocacy agency. Our duty is to assess risks, enforce safeguards, and ensure compliance with national and international biosafety standards.I also want to emphasise that public trust matters.
He further urged the media to help Nigerians understand biosafety and biosecurity in a better way.
-
Politics2 days agoAPC Releases Adjusted Timetable For Nationwide Congresses, Convention
-
Business2 days agoCustoms Seek Support To Curb Smuggling In Ogun
-
Sports2 days ago
DG NIS Wants NSC Board Constituted, Seeks Increased In Funding
-
Sports2 days agoSWAN Rivers Set-up Five Functional Committees
-
News2 days ago
Police Bust Kidnapping Syndicate In PH
-
Sports2 days ago
NSC Disburses N200m Training Grants To 26 Athletes
-
Sports2 days ago
‘NTF Will Build On Davis Cup Success For Brighter Future’
-
Featured2 days agoINEC Proposes N873.78bn For 2027 Elections, N171bn For 2026 Operations