News
NESREA Condemns Open Burning Of Toxic Materials
National Environment Standard and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) last Thursday said any individual or group of persons that must burn any waste product or items openly, must seek permission.
Lagos State Co-coordinator, NESREA, Mrs Eunice Eze, said this in an interview with newsmen in Lagos.
Eze disclosed that open burning of items or waste was an offence, according to the Federal Environmental law, and not acceptable.
“Bush burning or open burning is when you set a place,items ablaze,while burning, it releases carbon dioxide which affects climate change and the depletion of the ozone layer
“Open burning also destroys the ecosystem as it releases substances dangerous to health, especially items such as burning of electronics,” she said. She also disclosed that defaulters of such acts would be made to pay penalties and face prosecution.
According to her, she said NESREA has a regulation prohibiting importation of used, non-serviceable electronics, especially those that have expired.
“Such electronics that have expired, are regarded as waste and it is against the Basal Convention to export such items from one country to another.
The Basal Convention is the regulation on trans boundary movement of hazardous or toxic waste, in which Nigeria is a signatory.
Eze said there was a regulation in the country on importation of used electronics especially for the traders involved in such business at Alaba International market in Lagos.
She said there was a Task force in collaboration with the Traders of Alaba International Traders Association, to ensure that there was no open burning of electronics at the market site.
She said NESREA, has observed that open burning at Alaba had relatively reduced due to the sensitisation and training of importers in December 2011.
“There has been an attitudinal change at Alaba on open burning and proper packaging of all imported electrical electronics into the country”, she said.
She further disclosed that out of the 220 registered importers, only 167 were duly licensed to import Used Electrical Electronics, to ensure that hazardous waste were not brought into the country.
“All importers must adequately ensure that all electrical items are neatly packaged with all cables and data attached to it for easy identification and assessment by NESREA.
“Any importation of waste by a defaulter would be prosecuted, including the ship that transported the product into the country,” she said.
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
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