Environment
Erosion Projects: BSHA Seeks Mobilisation Fees For Contractors
The Benue House of Assembly’s Standing Committee on Water
and Environment has urged the state government to pay mobilisation fees to
erosion project contractors in Gboko Local Government Area (LGA).
The committee’s Chairman, Mr Godwin Akaan, made the appeal
on Wednesday during the committee’s oversight functions to projects in the
Gboko and Tarka LGAs.
He said the payment would help to ease ecological problems
in the area.
“Government’s inability to pay mobilisation fees to the
contractors has made the residents in Gboko to face erosion challenges,’’ the
legislator said.
He, therefore, urged the state government to pay up the fees
to facilitate an early take-off of the projects.
Akaan also called on the General Manager, Benue State
Sanitation and Environmental Agency, Mr Ediga Akpa, to immediately deploy men
to clean up Gboko town.
He blamed the water shortage in Tarka on poor access roads
linking Wannune to the Earth Dam, situated about five kilometres out of the
town.
“The Ministry of Works and Housing has to collaborate with
the Ministry of Water Resources to provide good water to the residents of Tarka
LGA,’’ Akaan said.
The chairman advised the contractor handling the Wannune
earth dam to expedite work on the project to enable the people have potable
water.
Mr Friday Adodo, manager of A.G.B Nigeria Ltd., told the
News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) at the site, that the Ministry of Water Resources
was responsible for the delay in completing the work.
“The ministry was not up to date with payments. Out of N136
million that was the total contract sum, the ministry has so far paid N129
million, leaving the balance of N7 million unpaid,’’ he said.
Adodo explained that the entire contract would be given an
upward review to cover extra costs, saying the review would cost an additional
N15 million.
“This is owing to the delay in the payment of the total
contract sum which has resulted to delays in contract execution,’’ he said.
The National Orientation Agency (NOA) on Thursday, launched an awareness campaign, aimed at educating residents on the increasing impact of climate change.
The campaign also seeks to enlighten residents on the urgent need for personal and community protection measures.
During the launch in Uyo on Thursday, the Akwa Ibom Director of NOA, Mr Mkpoutom Mkpoutom, said that the campaign aims at enlightening residents, about the changes in weather patterns.
He said that this includes unpredictable rise in temperatures, and how these changes threaten public health across the state.
Mkpoutom noted that the current weather was not harmattan, but an extreme form of air pollution, which is harmful to health as it could cause oxidative stress which affects body balance.
“Our environment is changing rapidly, and the effects are evident in the disruptions faced by our communities.
“It is paramount that every citizen of Akwa Ibom understands these changes and take necessary steps to protect themselves, their families, and their livelihoods,” he said.
He appealed to citizens to take the following precautions which include wearing of nose mask, drinking sufficient water, covering of food and water to keep away dust, washing fruits thoroughly before eating, among others.
He directed all NOA structures within the state to engage with local communities through town hall meetings and collaboration.
He also urged engagement with schools and community leaders, to disseminate vital information on early warning signs, as well as safety protocols during extreme weather conditions.
The Chairman of Epe Local Government Area of Lagos State, Ms Surah Animashaun, has urged traders of Aiyetoro and Oluwo fish markets to consistently ensure a hygienic trading environment.
She urged the traders to maintain cleanliness and observe proper environmental sanitation in the markets.
Animashaun said this during a visit to some of the market areas in Epe on Saturday.
She said that clean markets were critical to public health.According to her, poor sanitation could lead to the outbreak of communicable diseases, especially in fish markets, where waste management must be handled with extra care.
The council chairman urged traders to dispose of refuse appropriately, avoid indiscriminate dumping of waste, and ensure regular cleaning of stalls and surroundings
She noted that environmental hygiene is a collective responsibility, adding that everyone should be involved in this development.
Animashaun also warned that the local government would not hesitate to enforce existing environmental laws, including sanctions against defaulters.
She assured traders of the council’s commitment to providing adequate waste disposal facilities and regular monitoring to sustain a clean and healthy market environment.
The council boss also urged traders to desist from selling by the roadside, so as to avoid accidents, noting that several motor accidents had occurred along the Aiyetoro market area.
“We, therefore, urge traders to stop selling on the roadside,” she said.
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.
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