Environment
Ministry Urges Investment In Bamboo Production
The Federal Ministry of
Environment has called on both corporate bodies and individuals to invest in bamboo production.
The Desk Officer for Bamboo and Rattan Production in the ministry, Mr Adebayo Ibrahim, made the call in an interview with newsmen in Abuja.
Ibrahim said the industry had the potential to boost the nation’s economy in the area of non-oil production resources.
According to him, bamboo is a gold mine that can employ many people and also create wealth for many Nigerians.
He said that the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO), in collaboration with the ministry and the International Network for Bamboo and Rattan (IMBAR), had developed a white paper; for investing in a green future bamboo value chain in the country.
Ibrahim said the value chain had envisaged a development from nursing and seed raising, planting and harvesting to processing and marketing.
He said the value chain process, targeted farming communities where the entire production process would be carried out within plantation farms.
He said the document also developed a technical and business skill for private bamboo processors as well as improving capacities in harvesting and post-harvest treatment.
According to him, the document has also developed and improved the marketing skills for the people.
The desk officer, who is also an Assistant Director in the ministry, said that UNIDO had also pledged 150,000 dollars for the provision of expertise and machines for enhancing bamboo production in the country.
Ibrahim said the Federal Government, as part of its counterpart funding, had commenced the reactivation of the National Forest Utilisation Centre in Benin.
He said the centre, owned by the Federal Department of Forestry, had all the infrastructure required for wood processing.
“The Federal Government will renovate the centre, while UNIDO will bring technicians and machines for the processing of bamboo.
“UNIDO will also train artisans and rural farmers on bamboo processing.
“The UNIDO funding pattern in this case is not going to be in cash,’’ he said.
Ibrahim said the ministry had inaugurated a steering committee known as the National Bamboo and Rattan Development Programme (NBARDEP).
He said the committee had already identified stakeholders in the production of bamboo, adding that it was building synergies with relevant agencies of government as well as the private sector.
Ibrahim said the ministry was working hard to ensure that the production of bamboo commenced in a most robust manner, adding that the ministry was in partnership with many relevant agencies.
Reports say that bamboo production is the brainchild of the Federal Ministry of Environment.
The first national stakeholder’s sensitisation workshop on the sustainability and development of bamboo and rattan in Nigeria was held in Benin in 2012.
A building devastated by rainstorm in Rivers State, recently.
The Lagos State Government has commenced installation of new pumps at the Iju Headworks and Akute water intake stations.
The Tide source reports that the project is aimed at increasing water production, improving operational efficiency and expanding access to potable water across the state.
A statement issued by the Lagos Water Corporation (LWC) over the weekend said the project was approved and funded by the state government.
It said the installation was part of the rehabilitation of the Iju Headworks and Akute Intake Station under Lots 1, 2 and 3.
According to LWC, the rehabilitation is designed to modernise water production facilities, strengthen operations and improve public water supply.
The Network of Female Professionals in Water, Sanitation and Hygiene in Nigeria (FEMinWASH) and the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF) are set to partner on gender-responsive systems strengthening, capacity development and WASH initiatives.
The partnership was proposed during a courtesy visit by a FEMinWASH delegation, led by its President and Convener, Dr Boluwaji Onabolu, to the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Didi Walson-Jack, in Abuja.
Onabolu, who conveyed greetings from FEMinWASH Patron, retired Engineer Ebele Okeke, commended Walson-Jack for upholding the Federal Civil Service’s EPIC values of Efficient, Productive, Incorruptible and Citizen-centred leadership.
She praised the HoCSF’s efforts in advancing gender inclusion in WASH and the civil service, including the development of the National Gender in Water Resources Mainstreaming Policy and mentoring programmes for women leaders.
Onabolu also highlighted the INSPIRE (Inclusive Network for Supporting Progressive Leadership, Innovation, Reform and Equity for Women) programme, aimed at strengthening women’s leadership and inclusion.
She said FEMinWASH was seeking a formal partnership and Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the OHCSF to support INSPIRE, WASH advocacy, capacity building and the institutionalisation of Gender-Responsive Budgeting across the Federal Civil Service.
Responding, Walson-Jack commended the diverse expertise of the FEMinWASH delegation, noting that professionals in WASH, water resources, environment, public health, town planning and education were critical to addressing development challenges.
She welcomed the proposed partnership, assuring that the OHCSF was ready to collaborate with FEMinWASH on civil service strengthening and WASH-related initiatives.
The meeting agreed to further engagements with Dr Garba, Permanent Secretary (Special Duties), and Ms Funke Baruwa, Lead for Partnerships at the OHCSF, to advance the collaboration.
The visit ended with a photo session and exchange of gifts between both parties.
The Special Adviser on Environment, Mr Olakunle Rotimi-Akodu, commended the community on the massive turn-out for sanitation.
He also appreciated the chairman and his team for their support to the ministry.
Rotimi-Akodu urged the community to continue to support the council and by extension, the government, by participating in the exercise and engaging in proper disposal of wastes.
“We have heard your appeal, and I assure you that Lagos government will do something about it.
“Although we have PSP operators in this axis, maybe they were assigned to other areas.
“However, I will ensure something is done and residents will observe the improvement.” the advisor said.
Also, the Managing Director, Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LASMA), Mr Muyiwa Gbadegesin, said that waste management was a collective exercise.
Gbadegbesin, therefore, appealed to the residents to always dispose of their wastes properly.
“You must bag your waste at home. Make sure you have a bin to keep the waste for few days, even if there is a delay by the PSP operator.
“Make sure you pay your PSP operator on time because there is no way they can provide that service if you are not paying them regularly.
The Non Governmental Organization (NGO) Go Green Nigeria Foundation, , has called for more stringent government efforts toward prohibition of illegal sand mining in Rivers, following erosion threats.
The founder of NGO Dr John Babington made the call on last Monday in Umuechem, Etche Local Government Area of Rivers, to commemorate the International Day for the Conservation of Mangrove Ecosystems.
Babington, who sensitised the community on dangers associated with crude sand mining, donated some trees as part of efforts to promote tree planting and revitalisation of the altered mangrove ecosystem.
During an interactive session with the community, the environmental expert identified various concerns and commended residents for their willingness to work together to end the excavation.
He, however, dismissed the notion that illegal sand mining was due to poverty and unemployment, saying, ”the business is a capital intensive venture that could only be operated by a rich cartel.”
He said that though the business might have provided menial jobs for few youths, it had not in any manner addressed poverty.
Presently, the landscape is altered with an artificial river encroaching a major access road and threatening public safety,” he said.
Also speaking, a senior Chief in the community, Chief Gilbert Otamiri commended the NGO for the initiative and promised to collaborate with them.
Gilbert, however, urged the government to tackle unemployment which, he said, was a major promoter of the illegal excavation
Also speaking, The Community Development Chairman (CDC) Mr Agbam Mgbechi thanked the group for the sensitisation and donation of trees.
He called on the government and concerned induviduals to emulate the group by making efforts towards salvaging the area from further environmental damage.
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