Environment

Group Flays NAOC Over Poor Environmental Record

Published

11 years ago

September 29, 2014

The National Coalition
on Gas Flaring and Oil Spills in the Niger Delta (NACHOMD) has criticized the Nigeria Agip Oil Company (NAOC) for its poor environmental record in the Niger Delta.
The group which said this at a media briefing in Port Harcourt also criticised Agip for its poor maintenance policy.
The National Coordinator of the coalition, Father Edward Obi, particularly said that Agip poor maintenances its facilities had led to series of raptures on its pipeline resulting to series of oil spillages across the region. Father Obi, who made references to the recent oil spills at Angamabele and Keelaba Communities of Bayelsa State, said that the company must be called to order before it destroys the Niger Delta.
Father Obi, who was represented by the country representative of Stakeholder Democratic Network (SDN) Mr. Inemo Samuma, also urged the Federal Government to revoke the license of the company.
According to the group, “NAOC has a track record of being insensitive to the environment in their operations. In December 2013 and February 2014, two oil spills occurred in Egbebiri Community in Biseni clan Yenagoa local government area.
“The first spill was not cleaned until the second one occurred. Both spills were attributed to equipment fairlure and Agip only mobilised to site when the spill had attracted public concern because of the scale” it said.
The coalition also worldered why Agip is being allowed to operate in an irresponsible manner by flouting the environmental laws of the country and disrespecting the regulation as stipulated in the oil and gas industry.
According to the group, “Agip poor track record on environmental management is known across the whole industry and we appeal to the federal authorities to put an immediate stop to this appalling behaviour.
“If the current situation continues without any serious effort by Agip oil company to deal with the problems of pipeline integrity and dilapidated equipment as well as total luck of adequate response in case of incidences, we are requesting that the federal government should revoke the licence of Nigeria Agip Oil Company to operate in the country” it said.
On his part, Professor Mark Anikpo urged the Management of Agip Oil Company to emulate other oil companies by being responsive to issues that concern the environment.

Environment

Lagos State Government Refuted Resumed Monthly Sanitation

Published

4 days ago

February 23, 2026

The Tide

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.

Environment

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

Published

4 days ago

February 23, 2026

The Tide

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

Environment

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

Published

4 days ago

February 23, 2026

The Tide

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.