Environment

Environmental Projects: Nigeria Gets $23.3m Allocation From GEF

Published

11 years ago

June 29, 2015

Deputy Governor of Bauchi State, Mr Nuhu Gidado inspecting nysc 2015 parade during their closing ceremony at nysc permanent orientation camp in Mangu Iga of Plateau State last Monday. Photo: NAN

The Global Environment
Facility (GEF), the largest sponsor of environmental initiatives, has allocated 23.35million US dollars to Nigeria to implement climate change, biodiversity and land degradation projects.
Mr Festus Eguaoje, GEF’s Desk Officer in the Federal Ministry of Environment, made this known at a two-day National Steering Committee Meeting in Abuja.
Eguaoje, who presented an Overview of the GEF projects in Nigeria, said the allocation was under the 6th replenishment circle, covering July 1, 2014 to June 30, 2018.
According to him, the allocation is under the System for Transparent Allocation of Resources (STAR), which allows GEF to allocate funds to countries to implement projects in specific focal areas.
The meeting was to review the progress of GEF’s activities in Nigeria and to update stakeholders on the ongoing projects.
The official said Nigeria had achieved tremendous success in implementing GEF projects, adding that a lot of projects were still ongoing under GEF 4th and 5th replenishment cycles.
He listed the ongoing GEF projects to include Conservation and Sustainable Management of Niger Delta Biodiversity; Sustainable Urban Transportation; and Setting up Mini- Grids based on Photo Voltaic (PV), Hydro and Biomass Sources.
Others are Promoting Energy Efficiency in Public and Residential Sectors; Less Burnt for a Clean Earth: Minimisation of Dioxin Emission from Open Burning Sources and Small Grant Programme for Civil Society Organisations.
On Fadama III, he mentioned Scaling up of Sustainable Land Management; Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) containing equipment management and disposal; and Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management (NEWMAP): Component of Great Green Wall Initiative.
Also listed were Lake Chad Regional and Natural Resources Conservation and Regional Project on Equatorial Africa Deposition Network.
He said that GEF had approved Fostering Sustainability and Resilience for Food Security in Sub- Saharan African- An Integrated Approach (IAP-PROGRAM) under the 6th replenishment cycle.
He said that GEF had three funding windows, namely the full size, the medium size and the small grants.
According to him, small grants component of GEF is a grant below 50,000 dollars, medium size is between 500,000 and two million dollars, while the full size is from two million dollars and above.
Eguaoje , also an Assistant Director in the Federal Ministry of Environment, said Nigeria could benefit more from GEF by building the capacity of its staff.
In addition, he suggested that project proponents should forward well-articulated concept to the GEF Operational Focal Point for Endorsement.
“The project proponent, in collaboration with the operational focal point, should ensure that prompt comments on the proposals are made by relevant offices of the GEF focal areas.
“The comments should be reverted to the project proponent for incorporation and further development.
“Project proponents should also explore the opportunity offered through the Implementing Agencies’’, he added.
The implementing agencies for GEF projects, he said, were UNDP, World Bank, FAO, UNIDO, ADB, UNEP and IFAD, among others.

Environment

LWC, Julius Berger seek stronger coordination on Lagos infrastructure

Published

1 day ago

August 17, 2026

The Tide

The Lagos Water Corporation (LWC) has commenced discussions with Julius Berger Nigeria Plc to strengthen coordination between water and road infrastructure projects.

This is contained in a statement issued by the corporation.

The corporation said the engagement followed a courtesy and familiarisation visit led by its Managing Director, Mr Mukhtaar Tijani, to Julius Berger’s Ijora office.

It said the visit was aimed at strengthening institutional relations and creating opportunities for deeper collaboration between both organisations.

The corporation stressed the importance of cordial relationships with neighbouring organisations and strategic stakeholders to promote future collaboration.

The meeting focused on road construction, water pipeline protection, water infrastructure development and sustainable water supply across Lagos Island and its environs.

Both organisations highlighted the need for early communication and technical coordination to prevent conflicts between road projects and existing water infrastructure.

Julius Berger Regional Commercial Manager, Region West, Mr Alexander Bauer, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to sustainable engineering solutions rather than short-term fixes.

Bauer stressed the importance of early stakeholder engagement and proper coordination before construction activities begin.

The meeting also examined access to project drawings and technical information required to improve coordination between water and road infrastructure projects.

Julius Berger explained that releasing detailed project drawings remained subject to approval from the appropriate client.

Both organisations therefore agreed on the need to engage the Lagos State Government to secure necessary approvals and strengthen technical collaboration.

The discussions also focused on accurate pipeline information and its importance in planning future water infrastructure and urban development projects.

The LWC delegation raised concerns about uncoordinated borehole drilling and its potential effects on groundwater resources and the ecosystem.

Participants noted that stronger public water supply systems could reduce dependence on individual boreholes and help protect underground water resources.

Construction & Maintenance

They also agreed on the importance of sharing information on construction activities, road conditions, project schedules and potential disruptions.

Security and community considerations were also discussed, with Julius Berger highlighting its engagement with relevant authorities on security infrastructure within the area.

The meeting ended with a shared commitment to open communication, stronger technical coordination and exploring further opportunities for collaboration.

The engagement is expected to strengthen synergies between water and road infrastructure planning and support resilient and sustainable infrastructure development across Lagos.

Environment

IYD: Climate experts advocate investment in African youth

Published

1 day ago

August 17, 2026

The Tide

Some Climate Experts across Africa have called for investment in African youth to enhance future security.

They made the call on Wednesday during a webinar organised by Planet, People and Peace Foundation (PPPF), a non-governmental organisation, to observe 2026 International Youth Day (IYD).

According to them, there is a need to invest, listen and create opportunities for young African people.

The Tide source reports that the 2026 theme of the IYD is “Different Contexts, Common Aspirations’’.

Miss Bisi Kumuyi, the Secretary, Climate Beyond Border Caravan (CBBC), Nigeria, who canvassed for investment in youth, said the future of Africa would be determined by the opportunities the continent created for its young people today.

The CBBC, an initiative of PPPF, is a pan-African, youth-led campaign promoting climate action, cross-border cooperation and green economic transformation across the continent.

‘‘As Africa joins the rest of the world to commemorate International Youth Day on Aug. 12, 2026, we celebrate the energy, creativity, resilience and determination of young Africans who continue to shape the continent’s present and future.

‘‘This year’s theme reminds us that young people across Africa live in different social, economic and cultural circumstances.

‘‘They share common aspirations: access to quality education, decent employment, innovation, peace, inclusion, environmental sustainability and opportunities to fulfil their potential,’’ she said.

Also speaking, Mrs Nouran Farouk, an Egyptian Climate Activist, called for urgent investment in Africa’s youth.

According to her, Africa is the world’s youngest continent, and its youthful population represented one of its greatest assets.

Environment

PWDs: CCD Unveils Report On Climate Change Impacts, Urges Implementation

Published

1 day ago

August 17, 2026

The Tide

The Centre for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) has unveiled a research report on impacts of climate change on Persons With Disabilities (PWDs), calling for its implementation in the country.

The Acting Director CCD, Mr Godwin Unumeri, made the call at the public presentation of the report titled: “Disability-Inclusive Greenhouse Gas Emission and Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation in Nigeria” on Wednesday in Lagos.

The event brought together government institutions, development partners, civil society organisations, persons with disabilities and other key stakeholder to foster dialogue, collaboration and stronger commitment to disability-inclusive climate change adaptation and mitigation in Nigeria.

Unumeri urged stakeholders to strengthen collaboration and policy commitment toward building climate resilience and ensuring the inclusion of persons with disabilities in Nigeria’s climate response.

He noted that valuable insights and recommendations from stakeholders at a validation workshop in February had been incorporated into the report.

According to him, effective implementation of the recommendations requires sustained collaboration, strong policy commitment, adequate resource mobilisation and coordinated action across sectors.

“By working together, we can translate these findings into practical interventions that strengthen climate resilience and ensure the full inclusion of persons with disabilities in Nigeria’s climate response,” he said.

In her remarks, the General Manager, Lagos State Office for Disability Affairs (LASODA), Adenike Oyetunde-Lawal, urged the stakeholders to ensure that the report would be translated into practical interventions to enhance full inclusion of PWDs particularly in climate change policies.