Environment
UN Assures Nigeria Of Support In Disaster Management
The UN Under-Secretary for
Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief, Baroness Valerie Amos, has assured Nigeria of the organisation’s continued support in the management of flood disaster.
Amos, who was represented by Mr Ayo Bamidele, a UN staff in Nigeria, gave the assurance recently Thursday in Asaba at the opening of the third South-South Emergency Management Summit and Exhibition.
She said the UN would also support the country in fashioning out a joint development action plan for the management of flood and other disasters in the country.
The under-secretary said that the action plan would create a platform for government at all levels to relate with other humanitarian organisations.
She noted that apart from flooding, there were other challenges facing the country such as political violence, communal clashes and health problems.
She, therefore, commended the efforts of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) in managing the 2012 flood disaster in the country.
“The humanitarian services put in place by NEMA have been very commendable as it is partnering with other agencies,’’ she added.
Also speaking, the Director-General of NEMA, Alhaji Muhammad Sidi, said that the South-South zone was susceptible to various forms of disaster both natural and human-induced.
Sidi said that the region had in recent times witnessed disasters such as ocean surge, flooding, oil spillages, communal crisis, pipeline explosion, among others.
He added that disaster management in the country was mainly humanitarian in nature, with huge funds annually spent on emergencies, while developmental gains were lost in different incidents.
The NEMA boss said the agency had adopted the “Hyogo” framework to avert future disasters and ensure business and government continuity.
The framework, he added, offered the agency the opportunity to formulate policies pertaining to social development, equity, economic growth, environmental quality and sustainable land use.
Sidi commended the drive by the South-South states to integrate their response mechanisms, having achieved 66 per cent in the establishment of their own State Emergency Management Agencies.
He said various issues relating to disaster management would be deliberated upon during the three-day summit.
He advised participants to contribute and evolve strategies that would enhance performance in disaster management in the country.
The theme of the summit is: “ National Flood Disaster: An Imperative for Integrated Disaster Risk Management for Sustainable Development in the South-South Zone.’’
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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