News
FG Begins Aquatic Weeds Clearing In 25 States
The Integrated Management of Invasive Aquatic Weeds Project of Federal Ministry of Environment says that it has started the removal of invasive aquatic weeds in 25 states.
The Coordinator of the Project, Mr Simon Ighodaro, said this while speaking with the journalists in Abuja.
He said that the project, which involved the removal of aquatic weeds from the country’s waters, had begun in Lagos, Ogun , Kwara, Ondo, Imo, Abia, Bayelsa and Benue states, among others.
Ighodaro said that the states were chosen because of the peculiar challenge they were facing in dealing with the menace of invasive aquatic weeds.
He said that the project would remove aquatic weeds from the water surfaces and convert them into organic manure that would be used to boost agricultural production in the country.
The coordinator said that about 50 communities in different states had been empowered with tools like cutlasses and other equipment, while they were also educated on how to control aquatic weeds.
Ighodaro also said that the five-year project would come to an end in December this year, adding that the empowered communities were, nonetheless, expected to carry on with the weeds’ clearing after the end of the project.
He described aquatic weeds as water pollutants which reduced the level of the oxygen in the water, thereby causing the death of fish, among other harmful effects.
He said that the weeds also hindered the free flow of water.
In a related development, the Bayelsa State Commissioner for Environment, Chief Robert Enogha says the ministry is working to procure water weeds harvesters to make the state’s waterways and creeks navigable.
Enogha told newsmen in Yenagoa recently that the clearing of the waterways and creeks would make them navigable all through and promote the economic growth of the state as it would boost agricultural activities and tourism.
He said the ministry had the exclusive responsibility to maintain the waterways and ensure the clearing of water hyacinths and other weeds in the rivers and creeks within the state to ease marine transportation and other voyages.
The commissioner said that the government was in the process of procuring a water weed harvester to remove the menace from the water front, including the Ogbia waterways, when the equipment arrived.
According to Enogha, the menace of water hyacinths hinders navigation on the rivers and creeks in the state, especially during the flood season in August, September and October, when the tide is usually high.
He also said that in some communities in the interior of Southern-Ijaw, Ekeremor and Ogbia Local Government Areas, the river remained the major source of potable water for the people.
Enogha expressed concern that even the river had been polluted through the activities of multi-national
The Renewed Hope Initiative in conjunction with the Rivers State Government has empowered 500 elderly citizens in Rivers State with financial support of N200,000 each.
The empowerment programme was part of activities to celebrate the third anniversary of the Renewed Hope Initiative Elderly Support Scheme RHIESS, a social investment policy initiated by the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.
Speaking at the event which held at the Government House, Port Harcourt, recently, under the theme, ‘Finding Joy in Old Age,’ Senator Tinubu said the gesture which has become traditional since 2023 was a mark of gratitude in recognition of the invaluable contributions of the senior citizens to nation building.
The First Lady who was represented by the wife of the Rivers State Governor and State Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Initiative, Lady Valerie Fubara, said the scheme was to “support two hundred and fifty (250) vulnerable elderly citizens aged 65 and above in all the 36 states of the federation, the Federal Capital Territory, and veterans from the Defence and Police Officers’ Wives Association (DEPOWA) totalling 9,500 selected beneficiaries across the nation.
She urged the beneficiaries to engage in activities that will make them find joy in old age.
“I encourage you to continue playing your part by staying healthy and active, nurture both your body and mind through regular exercise and meaningful engagement,” Senator Tinubu advised.
On her part, Lady Fubara said the State Government through the magnanimity of the governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has increased the beneficiaries of the programme from 250 to 500.
She restated the commitment of the State Government towards provision of social welfare and improving the standard of living of the elderly in the State.
Also speaking, the Executive Secretary, Rivers State Contributory Health Protection Programme (RIVCHPP), Dr Vetty Agala, said the State Government has through the Health4allrivers Initiative, introduced free medical care for senior citizens in the State, in line with the Renewed Hope Initiative.
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Rivers State Council, has urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to expedite the prosecution of the Director of the now distressed MBA Forex Trading, Mr. Maxwell Odum, in the interest of justice.
The Rivers State NUJ made the appeal during a courtesy visit to the EFFC’s Ag. Zonal Director, ACE Hassan Saidu, in Port Harcourt, recently.
The council’s chairman, Comrade Paul Bazia, said the appeal became imperative after it considered the number of Nigerians and others involved in the financial misconduct.
According to him, it has caused hardship among many households in the country and should be given the attention it deserves.
He said that investors cannot come into a country or invest in an economy or nation ridden with fraud.
This, he said, has made it more imperative to arrest, prosecute and convict alleged fraudsters like the MBA Forex Director, who is alleged to have defrauded thousands of unsuspecting Nigerians, to serve as a deterrent to others.
The chairman also requested that while the trial lasts, part of the swindled funds should be given to the victims that suffered loss and trauma as a result of the fraud.
The NUJ reiterated its resolve to change the narrative of reportage from crisis to developmental communication.
According to him, the NUJ’s main focus is blue economy and tourism.
He expressed the readiness of the Council to partner the agency in the area of information dissemination.
“We believe you have a responsibility to fight financial crimes. We also know that you need the Press to publicize your activities and NUJ can provide that,” he said.
Responding, the Zonal EFFC’s boss commended the NUJ’s vision to change the narrative of reporting from crisis to developmental communication.
According to Saidu, the Western world have since imbibed such culture, hence the negative stories about them are carefully sifted to allow only positive ones to be released to the outside world.
As for the trapped funds to be released, the EFCC Zonal Director stated that only the court can authorize such action, stressing that the primary responsibility of the Commission is to arrest and prosecute.
He pledged to partner with the NUJ now that the leadership has visited the Commission.
The Head of the Legal & Prosecution Department, DCE Odiase Stephen, corroborated the Zonal Director’s position and stressed that it was only when the matter has been determined by the court that such funds can be released.
He further stated that once a matter is before a court of competent jurisdiction, it cannot be discussed outside.
By: King Onunwor
-
News4 days agoRSIPA Outlines Plans To Boost Investors’ Confidence …China Applauds Fubara As Listening Gov
-
Politics1 day ago
Alleged Tax Law Changes Risk Eroding Public Trust — CISLAC
-
Maritime1 day agoStakeholders Advocate Legal Framework For NSW Project
-
Politics1 day ago
HILDA DOKUBO ASSUMES CHAIRMANSHIP, DENIES FACTIONS IN RIVERS LP
-
Politics1 day ago
DEFECTION: FUBARA HAS ENDED SPECULATIONS ABOUT POLITICAL FUTURE — NWOGU
-
Sports1 day ago
Brighton’s Disappointing Run Continues
-
Sports1 day ago
New Four Yr Calendar For AFCON
-
Sports1 day ago
Juve Beat Roma To Close Gap In Series A
