Environment
FG Moves To Tackle Desertification
The Federal Ministry of Environment says that a National Strategic Action Plan for the implementation of the Great Green Wall Sahara and Sahel Initiative (GGWSSI) has been produced.
Dr Bukhar Hassan, the Director, Drought, Desertification and Amelioration Department, , of the ministry made this known in an interview with newsmen in Abuja last Wednesday.
Hassan said that the project was a recent attempt in Africa to address desertification in a more coherent manner.
He said that combating desertification would improve the well-being of the affected people and reduce their vulnerability its impact, amplified by climate change.
He added that the project would be executed through improved use of land and other natural resources for sustainable development.
According to him, the project will commence after the establishment of the shelter belt project.
A shelter belt is a plantation usually made up of one or more rows of trees or shrubs planted in such a manner as to provide shelter from wind and to protect soil from erosion.
Shelter belts are commonly planted around the edges of fields or farms.
Hassan said that the programme would be officially inaugurated by President Goodluck Jonathan as soon as the actual field implementation has been established.
He said that in November last year, a team comprising officials from the ministry, commissioners the participating states and some technical officers, visited the GGWSSI project sites in Senegal to learn from their experiences.
The director further said that the Federal Government had resuscitated the National Council on Shelterbelt Afforestation to be chaired by Vice President Namadi Sambo.
He said that ministers from seven line ministries alongside the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and the Permanent Secretary, Ecological Fund Office were members of the council.
“The council was inaugurated by the chairman of the council and Nigeria’s vice president with a mandate to start preparations for the immediate take off of the project.
“The Federal Government has also approved some resources for the implementation of the project, though it is difficult for us to mention the figures at the moment, but the resources is in the process of being provided for the take-off of the project.
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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