Environment
Stakeholders Urge Pragmatic Approach To Environmental Challenges
As Nigeria joined, the rest
of the world last week to mark the 2014 World Environment Day (WED), stakeholders have called for pragmatic efforts to address ecological challenges in the country.
They said this at an event organised by the Ministry of Environment in Abuja last Thursday, to celebrate the day.
The Chairman, Nigerian Environmental Society (NES), Abuja branch, Mr Akinrele Olusegun, called for a collective approach in proffering solutions to the problems plaguing the country.
“There is the need for concerted efforts to address the ecological, industrial and natural problems.
“In other words, the environmental problems we have are caused by individuals, groups and industrial activities.’’
He urged the private sector and governments at all levels to synergise and ensure the establishment of recycling plants to address the challenges posed by non-biodegradable materials.
Olusegun said that government policies must address the influx of used electronic gadgets and cars, adding that they constitute environmental nuisance to the country.
Similarly, the Special Adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan on Ethics and Values, Dr Sarah Jubril, called for attitudinal change among Nigerian, if the environment must be protected.
Jubril urged the Ministry of Environment to pay more attention to the issues of behavioural change.
The Corps Commandant-General, Environmental Ethics and Safety Corps (ESCORP), an NGO, Emenike Eme, said that collective action was urgently needed to curb rising sea level in the world.
Eme added that there was also the need for deliberate public awareness creation on the causes the environmental challenges and their remedies.
“On our part, ESCORP will continue to make available to agencies under the ministry our services, to bridge the obvious gaps between Nigeria’s many policies and their impact on the society,’’ he added.
In her address, the Chief Executive Officer, Mary Elika Foundation, an NGO, Mrs Mary Manzo, urged youths to be agents of change, in order to achieve sustainable environment in the country.
Manzo tasked youths to use the occasion of the WED to imbibe the culture of green living among them and protect the environment for a healthy living.
She said that the foundation was committed to strengthening its awareness programmes to sensitise youths on the need for them to intensify their environmental consciousness.
“And of course for them to also take care of their immediate environment and know the global challenge that the world is facing as regards climate change,’’ Manzo added.
She said that so far, the foundation had recorded huge successes from the response of school children in terms of positive change in their attitude towards clean environment.
“They have shown a lot of changes in their attitude towards their environment especially their immediate school environment,’’ she said.
Our correspondent reports that the Minister of Environment, Mrs Laurentia Mallam, planted a tree in Abuja as part of activities to mark the WED celebrations.
Meanwhile in Lagos, the Federal Controller of Environment, Mrs Olutoyin Agbenla, called for the protection of islands in the face of growing risk and vulnerabilities arising particularly from climate change.
Agbenla made the call in an address of welcome at the 2014 World Environment Day (WED) celebration.
The theme of the celebration is “Small Islands Developing States’’, with the slogan “Raise your Voice Not the Sea Level’’.
She said that the WED was the United Nations principal vehicle for encouraging worldwide awareness and positive action on the environment.
“ The purpose of the celebration is to deepen the public awareness on the need to preserve and enhance the environment.
“The theme is meant to inspire all of us to play our part to raise our voices and save the small island developing states from the impact of climate change.
“Also to save them from devastating storms and the threat of sea level rise due to their small size and susceptibility to natural hazards.’’
Agbenla observed that in Nigeria, islands such as Banana Island, Bonny Island, Brass Island, Victoria Island and other coastal zones were also vulnerable to climate change.
According to her, the islands are all experiencing the same threat of sea level rise and beach erosion.
The Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) has issued a seven-day flood advisory, warning of a medium flood risk in 17 states between July 21 and July 27.
The agency said the alert followed rising water levels at key river monitoring stations, increasing the likelihood of localised flooding along river channels and floodplains.
NIHSA Director-General, Umar Mohammed, disclosed this in National Flood Advisory (Alert No. NFA-2026-200) issued on Tuesday.
He said the affected states are Adamawa, Bauchi, Benue, Borno, Edo, Gombe, Imo, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Kebbi, Nasarawa, Niger, Plateau, Taraba, Yobe and Zamfara.
According to Mohammed, river levels at Saminara on the Karam River, Waya Dam Site on the Waya River and Amber on the Amber River had exceeded watch and warning thresholds.
He said 16 gauging stations nationwide were recording elevated river stages, placing nearby communities at risk of localised flooding.
Mohammed urged state governments, local authorities and residents of flood-prone communities to take precautionary measures immediately.
NIHSA said Bauchi had the highest exposure, with 1,841 communities, 145 schools, 101 health facilities and eight markets identified as vulnerable.
The agency also identified vulnerable communities and public facilities in Edo, Imo, Kaduna, Plateau and Benue states.
Mohammed urged the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), State Emergency Management Agencies (SEMAs), local governments and community leaders to activate emergency response plans.
He recommended relocating residents, livestock and valuables from floodplains to safer locations
He also advised emergency agencies to pre-position food, medical supplies and water treatment materials in areas likely to be affected.
“The NIHSA boss called for community mobilisation through early warning volunteers and local communication channels to ensure timely dissemination of flood alerts.
He cautioned residents against walking, driving or riding through flooded roads, bridges and fast-flowing waterway.
A cleaner environment begins with collective responsibility. That commitment was evident across Umuahia on Saturday as thousands of residents turned out to participate in the July monthly environmental sanitation exercise, with officials describing the compliance level as one of the most encouraging in recent months.
The impressive turnout has renewed hope that Abia’s campaign for a cleaner and healthier environment is steadily becoming a culture rather than a routine exercise.
The July monthly environmental sanitation exercise in Umuahia recorded about 80% compliance.
The Abia State Ministry of Environment described the turnout as a strong indication that residents are embracing Governor Alex Otti’s vision for a cleaner, healthier and more sustainable environment, while calling for the establishment of Neighbourhood Environmental Watch groups to sustain the momentum.
The Abia State Government has commended residents of Umuahia for their impressive participation in the July monthly environmental sanitation exercise, describing the turnout as a strong indication that citizens are embracing the state’s campaign for a cleaner and healthier environment.
Speaking after monitoring the exercise across major parts of the Umuahia metropolis, the Permanent Secretary, Abia State Ministry of Environment, Mr. Ikechukwu Oriuwa, expressed satisfaction with the level of compliance and urged residents to sustain the momentum.
According to him, the success recorded during the exercise reflects growing public support for the environmental agenda of the Labour Party-led administration.
“I think, so far, so good. At this point, what we need to do is sustain the momentum. We should move forward with establishing a Neighbourhood Environmental Watch so that residents can monitor compliance and ensure the initiative is sustained,” he said.
Mr. Oriuwa further applauded both residents and the organisers for the success of the exercise.
“Well, I must say I am very impressed. I appreciate the organisers for putting this programme together. It has been highly impressive, and I believe participants have learnt a great deal. From what I have observed so far, everything has been well organised, and I think they are doing an excellent job. I encourage them to keep up the good work because programmes like this are beneficial to everyone,” he added.
The Permanent Secretary stressed that environmental sanitation should become a daily culture rather than an activity observed only on designated sanitation days.
Drawing from an Igbo proverb, he explained why communities must collectively protect their environment.
“An Igbo proverb says that a goat owned by the public often goes hungry. That is why establishing a Neighbourhood Environmental Watch is important. It will encourage residents to take collective responsibility for keeping their surroundings clean and ensuring that sanitation efforts are sustained.”
He also urged government agencies to strengthen enforcement by deploying environmental health officers to carry out routine inspections and ensure compliance with sanitation laws.
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