Environment
Commissioner Explains Environmental Impact Of Generators
Anambra Commissioner for Environment, Dr Mike Egbebike says that the health implications of the gaseous emissions from generator are devasting but users are helpless because of the inadequacy of electricity supply in the country.
“We cannot stop people (traders) from buying their individual generating sets; it would be difficult to bring them together to buy just one gigantic generating plant to serve the market.
“I would urge people to buy generating sets that emit little fumes. If their sets are faulty and are emitting so many fumes; they should repair them for the sake of their health.
He further advises that the exhaust pipes of the generators should be positioned in directions that would not cause inconveniences to neighbours.
Vice-Chairman, Tools and Allied Products Dealers Chief Sylvester Ahanonu, Market in Onitsha, says that a plan to purchase a giant generator, to serve the entire market was one of the cards on the table for the market’s executive.
“The market executive has been weighing the option of having a single gigantic generating plant in 2012. In fact, we are considering it if there is no clear-cut improvement in electric supply.
“It would reduce money spent on fuel daily by our members and put a stop to these emissions from thousands of generating sets in the market presently,’’ he says.
On its part, the Anambra government is partnering with an engineering firm to supply uninterrupted electricity to markets in Onitsha, through the use of gigantic diesel plants, to eliminate the multiplicity of individual generators in the markets.
Special Adviser to Gov. Peter Obi on Parks and Markets, Chief Sylvester Nwaobu-Alor, says that the company has commenced feasibility studies and environmental impact assessment of the project to enable its actualisation.
He would not provide further details but simply insists: “Before the first quarter of 2012, you will certainly see signs of work going on at the proposed sites for the generators.
“The government will provide an enabling environment for the company and encourage traders to pay for services rendered. The project will ensure a 24-hour uninterrupted power supply,’’ he assures.
With the life expectancy the Nigerian dropping from 52 to 49 years, the challenge to tackle health risks such as toxic fume inhalation, therefore, becomes a challenge for everyone.
No doubt, the initiatives being explored by the Anambra government and the market organizations are salutary as they will significantly reduce the health risks of the citizens, who daily go to their shops to earn a living.
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.
Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation has launched the 1GOV Enterprise Content Management System (ECMS) to enhance digital governance and improve service delivery.
The launch, held on Thursday in Abuja, marks the ministry’s transition from paper-based operations to a smart, integrated and technology-driven work environment.
The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev, said the deployment aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu.
Utsev said the system would improve data management, streamline workflows and strengthen transparency and accountability across the ministry.
According to him, the ECMS will enhance productivity, preserve institutional memory and reduce operational costs in the ministry.
Launching the platform, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Didi Walson-Jack, said the initiative is a major step in public sector reform.
She said the ministry’s mandate affects Nigerians through water supply, sanitation, irrigation, river basin development and climate resilience programmes.
Walson-Jack said the 1GOV ECMS enables secure digital records management, automated workflows, electronic approvals and real-time collaboration across MDAs.
She added that the deployment aligns with the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan 2021–2025 and the directive for full digitalisation by December 2025.
“Effective governance cannot afford delays caused by manual bottlenecks or avoidable inefficiencies,” she said.
She directed that all official correspondence in the ministry must henceforth be processed through approved digital registry channels.
In her remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Dr Emanso Umobong, said the system would eliminate workflow inefficiencies and improve service delivery.
She urged staff to fully adopt the platform and engage in continuous capacity building.
Research shows that local communities and citizens living at the grassroots, particularly women, are directly impacted by the environmental degradation, flooding and others that result from these manifestations.
In the light of this, non-governmental organisation, Ese Usamali Foundation For Rural Development (EUFORDe), has held a forum for women and other members of oil impacted communities, tagged: ‘Voices from the Grassroots,’ and aimed at building their resilience and mitigation efforts against climate change and environmental degradation
The forum, with the theme: ‘Building Resilience for Oil Spill Impacted Ahoada Communities,’ organised with support from Global Green Grants, was held in Ahoada Community, Ahoada East Local Government Area of Rivers State, on December 5, 2025.
Executive Director of Ese Usamali Foundation For Rural Development, Mercy Elemchukwu-James, said women are at the forefront of efforts to mitigate the impact of climate change and environmental degradation.
The event, therefore, was “designed for community women impacted by oil spills, flooding and other environmental degradation,” she said.
Community women were enlightened by resource persons on new opportunities for sustainable agricultural practices and water management techniques that cushion the impact of oil spills.
Lectures were also delivered on Self-care and Trauma-care, with focus on physical and mental health of the population, and increasing access to health-related resources and services; as well as on Food security and women’s critical role in decision making in oil spill and flood situations in communities
Elemchukwu-James pointed out that the event created a forum for stakeholders, civil society actors and others to dialogue on measures at advancing inclusive and sustainable livelihoods of community women.
She stressed the need for collaborative efforts towards achieving mitigation efforts, while underscoring EUFORDe’s commitment to “fostering partnerships as a critical driver for achieving a healthy community and sustainable development.”
Elemchukwu-James described participants’ design of ‘Community Resilience Plan,’ to manage and combat environmental degradation and crises, as part of achievements recorded at the event.
The forum also witnessed the launching of EUFORDs’ Center For Resilience and Rights.
“This center is established to build resilience as Trauma-Care for victims of environmental degradation, support for survivors of Gender Based Violence (GBV) and a platform where victims of environmental injustice and other GBV cases can seek redress,” Elemchukwu-James said.
Participants celebrated the milestones achieved and charted a path toward greater impact in the coming years. They also described the event as “an inspiring and transformative experience.”
Elemchukwu-James said the awareness creation workshop “reaffirms EUFORDe’s mission to create an equitable society in which the rights and capacities of women, youth, children and underprivileged are integrated in the socio-economic planning and development of communities, for the attainment of equity and peace.