Environment
NEMA On Disaster Risk Reduction
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) says it is now committed to Disaster Risk Reduction (PRR), rather than disaster Management.
The South-South Cordinator of NEMA, Mr Umesi Emenike disclosed this when senior course 33 of the command and staff College, Jaji, Kaduna State visited the zonal office of NEMA in Port Harcourt, recently.
“The hyogo ( South Korea) frame work for action (2005-2015) which NEMA is working on represents five goals and priorities fro action on disaster risk reduction over a 10 –year period.
“Ensuring that disaster risk reduction is a national and local priority with a strong institutional basis for implementation. Identity assess and monitor disaster risk and enhance early warning, among others”, he said.
Emenike said that to actualise the paradigm shift on disaster risk reduction, his office had embarked on the following activities, setting up of volunteer services, trainings, awareness campaigns, simulation exercises workshops and meetings with stakeholders.
He noted that challenges such as lack of awareness of disaster risk reduction, political will, funding, lack of legal framework at states and local levels are militating against smooth operations in the zone.
“It may interest you to know that moiré than 10 of NEMA, almost all the states in South-South do not have legally established offices for states emergency management agencies and local emergency management committees”, he said.
Responding to a question from a staff, Emenike said NEMA’s job like its counterparts across the world was coordination during disasters and emergency. He said, “if states and local government have their bodies that makes our job much better”.
The NEMA coordinator also disclosed that the agency had recorded 78 disaster cases between 2006 and 2011.
He said that the zone is vulnerable to disaster such as erosion, flooding, windstorm, rainstorm, communal clashes, landslide, fires, air, water pollution from oil exploration and refining activities.
He said that epidemics such as measles, gastroenteritis, man-made disaster like oil spillage, pipeline vandalisation communal violence and militancy were other kinds of disaster experienced in the Niger Delta region.
Speaking, the Deputy Commandment Staff College Jaji, Rear Admiral Dele Ezeoba emphassised the need for a contingency plan for the zone. He observed what he called, “a lacuna” between NEMA and states in the south-south on disaster coordination.
“We must be proactive on issues of disaster as a people. States and local governments should establish offices so as not to abandon disaster jobs to NEMA alone”.
“Disaster management is a collective thing and lack of structures in the South/South zone will not only affect the zone, but Nigeria in leverage funds from interAbia Deputy Gov denies Dumping PDP
Boni Okoro, Umuahia
The Lagos State Government has commenced installation of new pumps at the Iju Headworks and Akute water intake stations.
The Tide source reports that the project is aimed at increasing water production, improving operational efficiency and expanding access to potable water across the state.
A statement issued by the Lagos Water Corporation (LWC) over the weekend said the project was approved and funded by the state government.
It said the installation was part of the rehabilitation of the Iju Headworks and Akute Intake Station under Lots 1, 2 and 3.
According to LWC, the rehabilitation is designed to modernise water production facilities, strengthen operations and improve public water supply.
The Network of Female Professionals in Water, Sanitation and Hygiene in Nigeria (FEMinWASH) and the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF) are set to partner on gender-responsive systems strengthening, capacity development and WASH initiatives.
The partnership was proposed during a courtesy visit by a FEMinWASH delegation, led by its President and Convener, Dr Boluwaji Onabolu, to the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Didi Walson-Jack, in Abuja.
Onabolu, who conveyed greetings from FEMinWASH Patron, retired Engineer Ebele Okeke, commended Walson-Jack for upholding the Federal Civil Service’s EPIC values of Efficient, Productive, Incorruptible and Citizen-centred leadership.
She praised the HoCSF’s efforts in advancing gender inclusion in WASH and the civil service, including the development of the National Gender in Water Resources Mainstreaming Policy and mentoring programmes for women leaders.
Onabolu also highlighted the INSPIRE (Inclusive Network for Supporting Progressive Leadership, Innovation, Reform and Equity for Women) programme, aimed at strengthening women’s leadership and inclusion.
She said FEMinWASH was seeking a formal partnership and Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the OHCSF to support INSPIRE, WASH advocacy, capacity building and the institutionalisation of Gender-Responsive Budgeting across the Federal Civil Service.
Responding, Walson-Jack commended the diverse expertise of the FEMinWASH delegation, noting that professionals in WASH, water resources, environment, public health, town planning and education were critical to addressing development challenges.
She welcomed the proposed partnership, assuring that the OHCSF was ready to collaborate with FEMinWASH on civil service strengthening and WASH-related initiatives.
The meeting agreed to further engagements with Dr Garba, Permanent Secretary (Special Duties), and Ms Funke Baruwa, Lead for Partnerships at the OHCSF, to advance the collaboration.
The visit ended with a photo session and exchange of gifts between both parties.
The Special Adviser on Environment, Mr Olakunle Rotimi-Akodu, commended the community on the massive turn-out for sanitation.
He also appreciated the chairman and his team for their support to the ministry.
Rotimi-Akodu urged the community to continue to support the council and by extension, the government, by participating in the exercise and engaging in proper disposal of wastes.
“We have heard your appeal, and I assure you that Lagos government will do something about it.
“Although we have PSP operators in this axis, maybe they were assigned to other areas.
“However, I will ensure something is done and residents will observe the improvement.” the advisor said.
Also, the Managing Director, Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LASMA), Mr Muyiwa Gbadegesin, said that waste management was a collective exercise.
Gbadegbesin, therefore, appealed to the residents to always dispose of their wastes properly.
“You must bag your waste at home. Make sure you have a bin to keep the waste for few days, even if there is a delay by the PSP operator.
“Make sure you pay your PSP operator on time because there is no way they can provide that service if you are not paying them regularly.
The Non Governmental Organization (NGO) Go Green Nigeria Foundation, , has called for more stringent government efforts toward prohibition of illegal sand mining in Rivers, following erosion threats.
The founder of NGO Dr John Babington made the call on last Monday in Umuechem, Etche Local Government Area of Rivers, to commemorate the International Day for the Conservation of Mangrove Ecosystems.
Babington, who sensitised the community on dangers associated with crude sand mining, donated some trees as part of efforts to promote tree planting and revitalisation of the altered mangrove ecosystem.
During an interactive session with the community, the environmental expert identified various concerns and commended residents for their willingness to work together to end the excavation.
He, however, dismissed the notion that illegal sand mining was due to poverty and unemployment, saying, ”the business is a capital intensive venture that could only be operated by a rich cartel.”
He said that though the business might have provided menial jobs for few youths, it had not in any manner addressed poverty.
Presently, the landscape is altered with an artificial river encroaching a major access road and threatening public safety,” he said.
Also speaking, a senior Chief in the community, Chief Gilbert Otamiri commended the NGO for the initiative and promised to collaborate with them.
Gilbert, however, urged the government to tackle unemployment which, he said, was a major promoter of the illegal excavation
Also speaking, The Community Development Chairman (CDC) Mr Agbam Mgbechi thanked the group for the sensitisation and donation of trees.
He called on the government and concerned induviduals to emulate the group by making efforts towards salvaging the area from further environmental damage.
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