Environment
Pollution:Bonny Communities, Group Lament Illegal Bunkering
Communities behind the
Oloma flow station in Bonny Local Government Area of Rivers State and the Organisation of Fishermen Seafood Dealers and Farmers in Niger Delta (OFSDF/ND) have blamed the absence of pipeline surveillance contractors for high spate of bunkering activities in the area.
Disclosing this, chairman Board of Trustee of OFSDF/ND, Mr Richard Abbey, said massive bunkering activities in the area have caused monumental damage to the environment and fishing activities.
Abbey challenged the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to make public the pipeline surveillance contractors in charge of the NNPC Oloma flow station axis saying, it is evident that the ones contracted within the area has reneged or does not exist.
He said, “if the government has contracted anyone within the Oloma axis to safeguard NNPC pipelines, it then means some persons are defrauding the people of millions of naira meant for guarding pipeline within Oloma and other Bonny communities”.
Lamenting that some persons collect money on monthly basis in the name of surveillance, the OFSDF/ND boss regretted that pipeline vandals were taking undue advantage of the negligence to perpetrate vandalisation and illegal bunkering activities.
Abbey advised NNPC to help end the sabotage by contracting the surveillance job to fishermen and community members living within the flow station to form a more formidable security team to tackle the menace.
Similarly, resident Chief of Otokomabiri fishing community, Chief Lucky Williams, said his people were ready to partner with security agencies in providing needed information.
“We are ready to provide manpower to help fight this scorge if NNPC wants us to assist”, he said, stressing that it was unfortunate that contractors were paid heavily to safeguard the pipelines but they never showed up at site.
A soil expert, Jeremiah Alaputa, said the spill in the area have negatively affected vegetation and that it would take about twenty years to restore lost vegetation.
The expert cautioned that NNPC should ensure regular patrol within the flow station and Okolo lodge to stall bunkering and attendant fire break out.
In a related development, as part of measures to scale-up its war on pipeline vandalisation and bunkering, the Rivers State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps(NSCDC) has established community cells to enlist support of host commuities.
Acting state Commandant of NSCDC, Christina Abiakam-Omanu made the disclosure in a chat with pressmen in Port Harcourt recently shortly after a meeting with Association of Licensed Security Practitioners of Nigeria, Rivers State Chapter.
Abiakam-Omanu said the measure has become necessary because security agencies cannot alone win the war in checking pipeline vandalism, which according to her was having a big toll on the country’s economy.
“ We have been having meetings with community leaders and in some places we have established cell units. The essence is to ensure that communities that paly host to oil installations support us in the fight to check vandalisation” she said.
The Rivers State Civil Defence Commandant revealed that since a month ago when she assumed office, she has beefed-up efort to check bunkering in some parts of the state.
Addressing members of licensed security practioners earlier, she stressed the need of synergy in boosting security at the grassroots, especially as the yuletide approaches.
The Civil Defence helmswoman in Rivers State observed that private security guards have a very important role to play in boosting the nation’s security status, “ if there is any clue that can help us please let us know” she charged them.
She also charged them to rid themselves of quacks, warning that the NSCDC will invoke it powers to seal-off security companies not licensed or trained by them.
The Civil Defence Commandant advised owners of security firms to always take the welfare of their employees seriously, “ there must be a good working relationship for the Directors and the guards” maintaining that it is crucial for effective security operations.
Chris Oluoh
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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