Environment

Stakeholders Decry Illegal Bunkering

Published

11 years ago

October 13, 2014

The continuous devasta
tion of the environment and the loss of lives as a result of illegal oil bunkering is attracting the reactions of the general public.
A crosssection of the people who spoke to The Tide on the issue, cited the recent explosion at the Okrika Jetty as a result of illegal oil bunkering which led to the loss of several lives.
They said that it is high time the government do something to check the menace stressing that apart from the continuous lost of lives, the Niger Delta environment is completely destroyed.
An indigene of Bolo community in the Ogu / Bolo local government area who spoke under condition of anonymity described as an eyesom the sight of Bolo Water Front.
He said that all the mangrove at the Bolo waterfront have been destroyed as a result of illegal oil bunkering in the area, while the Bolo sea is now empty of aquatic lives.
According to him, this situation has brought untold hardship to the fishermen of Bolo community whose sources of livelihood have been affected.
Another respondent, who also spoke under condition of anonymity described as very enormous the environmental damages being caused by illegal oil bunkering. The respondent who hails from one of the communities of Gokana local Government Area claimed that the creeks and rivers running from Bomu, Bodo to Bolo is new completely empty of aquatic lives.
A staff of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation(NNPC), Engr. Kenneth George, who spoke on the issue, said that illegal oil bunkering is detrimental to Nigeria in a variety of ways. “Most visibly are the almost daily oil spills that occurred at every stage of the bunkering process.
“Meanwhile, these thieves are not held or required to perform remediation “careless handling of products during the bunkering process caused the gravest environmental damages to the Niger Delta. “vast areas of the region have become saturated with oil as a result of the many oil spills associated with illegal bunkering and pipeline sabotage,” he said. Also speaking, Mrs Amapakabo Ibibia, described the continuous distruction of the environment in her own word, “oil theft is not a new thing in Nigeria.
Although stolen crude oil is profitable for quick sales in local market . “Some youths have died in the process,” she said.

Erosion at Tasha 2, Gwagwa Karmo Road in Abuja recently.

Benice Iragunim

Environment

Lagos State Government Refuted Resumed Monthly Sanitation

Published

3 hours ago

March 2, 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

LAWMA Director Says Sweeping Reforms Have Improved Waste Collection

Published

3 hours ago

March 2, 2026

The Tide

The Managing Director of the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), Dr Muyiwa Gbadegesin, says sweeping reforms and infrastructure upgrades have significantly improved waste collection efficiency across the state.

Gbadegesin disclosed this to newdmen last week in Lagos state.

He said LAWMA expanded night cleaning operations and increased street sweeping coverage to 1,000 routes statewide.

He disclosed that 16,000 street sweepers were currently engaged across Lagos, supported by improved logistics and operational systems.

He said LAWMA acquired new equipment three years ago to complement Private Sector Participants (PSP) compactors and rehabilitated old trucks to strengthen fleet capacity.

He added that additional compactor trucks were expected in the coming months.

“Heavy-duty equipment is now deployed to clear legacy illegal dumpsites across communities,” he said.

Gbadegesin said LAWMA strengthened human capacity by expanding its advocacy department and deepening collaboration with Community Development Associations (CDAs) and local councils.

He revealed that each local government now operates a waste management task force, supported by LAWMA integration desks.

On waste-to-wealth initiatives, he disclosed that the Lagos State House of Assembly had ratified a concession agreement with ZoomLion to construct transfer loading stations and material recovery facilities.

The facilities, he said, would enable closure of the Olusosun and Solous landfills and process 4,000 tonnes of waste daily.

He said organic waste, which constitutes about 50 per cent of Lagos waste, would be converted into compost, while plastics would be recycled into waste bins.

Gbadegesin also disclosed plans for a 1,500-tonnes-per-day waste-to-energy plant in partnership with a Dutch firm, Harvest Waste.

He said the project was expected to generate 60 megawatts of electricity to support emerging industrial zones.

He further highlighted a pilot biogas plant at the Epe Food Market, which processes 500kg of organic waste daily to generate electricity for market operations.

He called for stronger media collaboration to enhance public awareness and behavioral change.

“Waste management is not just about equipment; it is about human behaviour, enforcement and strong regulatory systems,” he said.

He urged residents to utilise LAWMA’s toll-free lines and digital platforms to report service gaps instead of resorting to illegal dumping.

Environment

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

Published

3 hours ago

March 2, 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