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World Population Threatens Food Security -Pepple …As RSSDA Celebrates World Environment Day

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13 years ago

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The Executive Director of the Rivers State Sustainable Development Agency (RSSDA), Mr  Noble Pepple has said that the continuous increase in world population may threatened food security.

Mr Pepple who said this at a forum for students of Holy Rosary Girls College, Port Harcourt organised by the agency to mark the 2013 World Environment Day in Port Harcourt, said that it has become pertinent for the world to look at the issue of population growth.

Mr Pepple also stressed the need for a serious attention on the issue of conservation of natural resources, adding that people must be enlightened to use natural resources in a manner that future generations will come and see it.

He described the theme of the celebration which is Think, Eat and Save,” as very important as it is against food wastages.

According to him, the message is that people should be sensitive to the need of everybody by ensuring that one does not eat more than he needs.

Mr Pepple said that as a responsible agency, the RSSDA would partner with other organisations and agencies to ensure environmental sustainability in the State.

He urged the students to see themselves as environmental ambassadors by propagating the ideal of environmental conservation.

Dr Gogo Mary Oyet  in her lecture said that tidal erosion and acid rain are a major problems in Rivers State.

Dr Oyet also said that climate change has further led to lot of specie lost, but noted that thus can be curtailed if mankind reduce their anti-environmental activities.

The guest lecturer who is the Head, Health Safety and Environment (HSE) Oando Plc urged the participants to imbibe the culture of environmental conservation.

He also charged them against wastages of food, stressing that they should always share what they have with one another.

Also speaking, the principal of the college, Barrister (Mrs) Vero Efika thanked the agency for using the school for the celebration, noting that it would help the students to adjust  a new way of doing things.

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Environment

Lagos State Government Refuted Resumed Monthly Sanitation 

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1 day ago

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February 23, 2026

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The Lagos State Government on Saturday refuted an online media report claiming that the state had resumed the monthly environmental sanitation exercise.
The Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr Tokunbo Wahab, said no categorical statement had been made regarding the commencement date of the exercise.
Wahab explained that what he told newsmen after a project inspection tour last Sunday was that engagements with relevant stakeholders were still ongoing.
He said the state government had planned to begin with a sensitisation programme last week, but was constrained by logistics issues.
“The truth is, we were meant to start with a sensitisation programme last week, but we had a logistics issue. We need to find a day that is acceptable to all stakeholders,” he said.
He expressed optimism that the exercise might return very soon, adding that the official date would be communicated by the Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
The commissioner urged law-abiding residents to continue their lawful activities without hindrance, assuring them that adequate notice would be given before the exercise was reintroduced.
The monthly environmental sanitation, previously held on the last Saturday of every month between 7.00 a.m. and 10.00 a.m., was suspended in November 2016 following a legal pronouncement restricting movement during the exercise.
However, renewed waste management challenges, including clogged drainage channels and indiscriminate refuse disposal, have sparked calls from residents for its reinstatement.
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Environment

RIWAMA In Collaboration With Obio Akpo And Port Harcourt LGA Ban Dumping Of Refuse On  Road Side

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1 day ago

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February 23, 2026

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The Rivers State Waste Management Agency (RIWAMA) in Collaboration with Obio Akpor Local Government Council and Port Harcourt City LGA had advised the public not to dump refuse on the road side.
 In a statement signed by the Director of RIWAMA Dr Ibimina Wokoma, Mayor of Port Harcourt Sir Hon Allwell Ihunda and Obio Kpor local government Chairman Hon  Dr,  Gift  Worlu made available to Tide news stated that dumping of refuse on road medians is banned in Obio Akpor LGA, Port Harcourt City LGA, and the entire metropolis.
The statement said all waste is to be properly bagged and taken to the nearest RIWAMA-approved receptacle only between the hours of 6pm and 10pm daily.
“The use of cart pushers for waste collection, evacuation, and disposal is highly prohibited across Obio Akpor LGA and Port Harcourt City Local Government. Corporate organizations are requested to engage only Private Service Providers licensed by RIWAMA, in line with extant laws.
“Scattering of refuse bags at the receptacles or roadside by scavengers, individuals, and organizations engaged in illegal sorting or segregation of waste or recycling business is hereby banned, except as authorized or licenced by RIWAMA at the final dumpsites.
“The Thursday sanitation exercise by shop owners will continue alongside business activities without closing or locking up shops.
The statement also said  that , shop owners whose shop environment or surroundings are untidy will be arrested and prosecuted accordingly.
This notice applies to all residents, businesses, and organizations in Rivers State. Let’s work together to restore our “Garden City” status.
By: Kiadum Edookor
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Environment

Ministry Of Environment To Validate A Landmark Policy To Advance Nigeria’s Economy 

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1 day ago

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February 23, 2026

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The Federal Ministry of Environment last Thursday convened key stakeholders in Abuja to validate a landmark policy brief aimed at tackling marine litter to advance Nigeria’s transition to a circular economy.
Mrs Falmata Bukar-Kolo, the Deputy Director, Solid Waste Management and Technology Division in the ministry, warned that plastic pollution poses serious risks to aquatic ecosystems and public health.
She stated that microplastics have already entered the food chain through fish consumption, while clogged waterways, soil contamination, and greenhouse gas emissions from burning plastics are worsening the environmental crisis.
Bukar-Kolo said that plastics, though widely used, are non-biodegradable and persist in the environment for years.
She called for improved waste management systems, stronger enforcement of environmental regulations, and behavioural change amongst citizens and businesses.
Mr Clem Ugorji, Regional Coordinator of PROTEGO, emphasised on the urgency of action, saying Nigeria’s marine litter crisis carries environmental, economic, and reputational costs.
He expressed optimism that the 2025 to 2040 roadmap endorsed at the workshop would shift the country from prolonged dialogue to concrete implementation.
The  event was organised in collaboration with PROTEGO (Prevention of Marine Litter in the Gulf of Guinea).
Discussions centred on a draft policy input paper titled “Policies, Institutional Set-up and Financing of Marine Litter Prevention in Nigeria,”.
These seeks to present insightful analysis and a set of recommendations to address the structural and financing gaps that have long hindered effective waste management, particularly plastic leakage from inland communities and waterways into the Atlantic Ocean.
The PROTEGO initiative is supported by the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection and led by adelphi, with implementation in Nigeria by WASTE Africa and the Nigeria Climate Innovation Centre (NCIC).
The policy brief is a key delivery for one of the programme’s four impact areas – building capacities of public stakeholders.
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