Environment
Nigeria, UNESCO Renew Commitment To Protect Lake Chad
The Nigerian Government has pledged renewed commitment to partner with UNESCO towards improving livelihoods of inhabitants of the Lake Chad region.
Minister of Water Resources, Mr Suleiman Adamu made the pledge when he received Dr Hajo Sani, Nigeria’s Ambassador and Permanent Delegate to the UNESCO in Abuja.
Adamu, while congratulating Sani on her appointment, said Nigeria in partnership with member states, had spearheaded efforts toward finding solutions to continued shrinkage of the Lake Chad Basin.
Lake Chad basin is a freshwater source for over 40 million people.
Reduced rainfall between 1960 and 1985 caused the surface area to shrink by more than 90 per cent.
According to the minister, there are massive interventions ongoing in the basin, with the most important one being the inter-basin water transfer from River Congo.
Adamu noted that the partnership with UNESCO had led to successful hosting of the international conference on Lake Chad, saying consensus reached included the hydraulicity of River Chari and Logone.
He added that the Inter-Basin Water Transfer Project, although a long –term one would see ways to end extinction of the lake, saying opening bid for feasibility study for River Chari would soon be open.
The minister listed insecurity and advent of Covid-19 as major challenges, but expressed optimism that with strengthened partnership, the fortunes of the lake would improve.
Responding, Sani commended the minister on activities carried out in the National Water Resources Institute in Kaduna as a UNESCO Category Two regional centre for integrated river basin management.
She listed some issues surrounding member states’ delay in allowing inter-basin water transfer from their rivers.
Sani said the issues were poverty, diseases and natural disaster which greatly affected lives of the people.
Citing Covid-19 as a major challenge delaying the implementation of some projects earmarked by UNESCO, she called for deliberate interventions and commitment from the country.
“We specifically want to remind you about the participation of the ministry which is very key especially in the areas of water, there are some outstanding issues from the last conference that need to be revisited.
“Nigeria, being the giant of Africa cannot just fold her hands waiting. Even at UNESCO, Nigeria is being looked up to in programmes for livelihood support in the region,” Sani said.
She called for establishment of a desk in charge of communication with the National Commission On UNESCO for feedback mechanism and strengthening intergovernmental partnerships.
Environment
Youth Group Faults Protest Against HYPREP
Following the protest that rock the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP)last Monday by some youth groups in Ogoniland calling for the dissolution of the governing board of the agency,s more groups in the area said the call is not necessary, as it was aimed at querying the pedigree of the Project Cordinator, Prof Neniibarini Zabbey.
In an interview with journalists, the Bodo City Youth Federation led by Joseph Lenu and his executive members said they condems in strong terms the protest led by the President Generalof Ogoni Youth Federation, Mr. Lagborsi Yaamabaana.
Group further warned that the youths would not take it kindly with any groups or individuals that want to undermine the peace and security of Ogoni land at this critical time noting that the organiser of the said Protest should tender an apology to the project coordinator and the Ogoni youths.
Environment
Group Distances Self From HYPREP Protest
A concerned group under the auspices of Ogoni General Youth Assembly, has distanced itself from the protest organised by Mr. Legbosi Yaamabaana against the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) last Monday.
The President of the group, Comrade BarinekaTornwe in a statement said the Protest led by Yaamabaana was against the best interest of the Ogonis and would not yield any positive result.
According to him, Yaamabaana, a HYPREP contractor himself, would only be using the sweat and blood of Ogoni youths to push for more expensive contracts”, adding that the said youth leader “Yaamabaan is always on self-enrichment mode and never for the over-all good interest of the Ogoni youths”
Tornwe therefore enjoined all Ogoni youths to avoid him and rather support HYPREP to execute its core mandate of providing alternative source of livelihood to Ogonis through skills training for women and youths.
It would be recalled that recently, HYPREP concluded another training for 3,000 Ogoni youths and women in various empowernment skills, and pledged not to relent its effort in the interest of the people of Ogoni.
The president of the group, further alleged that “It is Yaamabaana’s plan to hijack the central youth training programme from HYPREP and run it a contractor”.
Tornwe however commended HYPREP for what it has done so far on the execution of its mandate, and appealed that it should stay focused on its assignment and not to allow treacherous persons to sway it into the wrong way.
Environment
Minister Tasks RSG On Open Defecation
The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof Joseph Terlummum Utsev has called on the Rivers State Government to fulfill it own agreement of ending open defecation by the year 2030.
Prof. Utsev stated this in Port Harcourt during a familiarisation tour to the Niger Delta Basin Authority (NDBA) facilities and projects in the State,
He said eradicating open defecation will improve hygiene, sanitation and health standard of the people.
The Minister explained that the visit was aimed at assessing infrastructure, programmes of the authority required to meet the agenda of President Bola Tinubu in ensuring a better society.
He said toilets must be constructed at motor parks with a view to enthroning hygiene.
“To end open defecation and enthrone hygiene, we need to construct toilets at the motor parks, hospitals, schools and public places to ensure the objective is achieved. So, the Rivers State Government needs to come on board.
“There is a need for us to build synergy between the three tiers of government to ensure that this is achieved.” he said.
The Minister also explained that access to potable water is part of the mandate of the Ministry, and assured that it will be delivered.
. “We are targeting about 500 hectares of land across the country under irrigation. We cannot succeed without completing all our dams that are under construction, ensuring we complete the projects.
“We will engage state governments in allocation of lands, while we provide water for irrigation, the government is supposed to give the Certificate of Occupancy to ensure that the land belongs to the farmers to avoid any issue with the farmers,” he said.
“The government is serious about improving the lives of Nigerians, ensuring food security, wealth creation and youth empowerment”
“Some projects that will drive this have been completed, while some are ongoing, we are determined to complete more projects and initiate new ones.”
It would be recalled that Nigeria currently sits at the top as far as open defecation was concerned.
The country took over from India.
It would also be noted that out of the 36 States in the country, only Jigawa State is open defecation free.
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