Environment
Group Condemns Pollution Of N’Delta
An Indian based
Environmental Group, Navdang International, says the continuous pollution of the Niger Delta by oil companies amounts to environmental terrorism against the people.
The Executive Director of the organisation, Vandana Shiva, said in a live interview programme on African Independent Television(AIT) monitored in Port Harcourt.
Vandana Shiva described the situation as “a crime against nature, a crime against humanity”.
She said that her visit to GOI and other communities in Ogoni Rivers State has shown the level of damage done to the environment by long years of all exploration in the area.
According to her all the water sources in Ogoniland have been polluted and described the case of GOI as very pathetic as the community has long been deserted by the inhabitants.
“Thus is much more serious than that. I think that the people of the Niger Delta are paying for profit maximization by oil companies”, she said.
Vandana Shiva also said that the people of the Niger Delta were living in a new era of colonization. A colonization of grabbing resources and urged the people to standup for their rights.
She paid tribute to the late Ogoni environmental activist, Ken Saro Wiwa for not only standing with the Ogonis, but the entire Niger Delta.
Also contributing, the Executive Director of Health of Mother Earth Foundation, Rev. Nnimmo Bassey, said that, the challenge was that the people are completely colonized by multinational oil companies.
Rev. Bassey said that, because of the failure of government to address the issue, the people of Ogoni and other parts of the Niger Delta were taking steps to liberate themselves.
“Because government has failed, the people especially the Ogonis took steps to let the oil remain in the land.
The environmental activist also alleged of an increasing deaths among young people in Ogoni land and blamed it on the pollution of the area, adding that Ogoniland lacks potable drinking water.
The National Orientation Agency (NOA) on Thursday, launched an awareness campaign, aimed at educating residents on the increasing impact of climate change.
The campaign also seeks to enlighten residents on the urgent need for personal and community protection measures.
During the launch in Uyo on Thursday, the Akwa Ibom Director of NOA, Mr Mkpoutom Mkpoutom, said that the campaign aims at enlightening residents, about the changes in weather patterns.
He said that this includes unpredictable rise in temperatures, and how these changes threaten public health across the state.
Mkpoutom noted that the current weather was not harmattan, but an extreme form of air pollution, which is harmful to health as it could cause oxidative stress which affects body balance.
“Our environment is changing rapidly, and the effects are evident in the disruptions faced by our communities.
“It is paramount that every citizen of Akwa Ibom understands these changes and take necessary steps to protect themselves, their families, and their livelihoods,” he said.
He appealed to citizens to take the following precautions which include wearing of nose mask, drinking sufficient water, covering of food and water to keep away dust, washing fruits thoroughly before eating, among others.
He directed all NOA structures within the state to engage with local communities through town hall meetings and collaboration.
He also urged engagement with schools and community leaders, to disseminate vital information on early warning signs, as well as safety protocols during extreme weather conditions.
The Chairman of Epe Local Government Area of Lagos State, Ms Surah Animashaun, has urged traders of Aiyetoro and Oluwo fish markets to consistently ensure a hygienic trading environment.
She urged the traders to maintain cleanliness and observe proper environmental sanitation in the markets.
Animashaun said this during a visit to some of the market areas in Epe on Saturday.
She said that clean markets were critical to public health.According to her, poor sanitation could lead to the outbreak of communicable diseases, especially in fish markets, where waste management must be handled with extra care.
The council chairman urged traders to dispose of refuse appropriately, avoid indiscriminate dumping of waste, and ensure regular cleaning of stalls and surroundings
She noted that environmental hygiene is a collective responsibility, adding that everyone should be involved in this development.
Animashaun also warned that the local government would not hesitate to enforce existing environmental laws, including sanctions against defaulters.
She assured traders of the council’s commitment to providing adequate waste disposal facilities and regular monitoring to sustain a clean and healthy market environment.
The council boss also urged traders to desist from selling by the roadside, so as to avoid accidents, noting that several motor accidents had occurred along the Aiyetoro market area.
“We, therefore, urge traders to stop selling on the roadside,” she said.
President, Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Mrs Margaret Oguntala, has inaugurated the construction of 18 units residential terrace in highbrow Alausa area of Lagos toward bridging the nation’s shelter gap.
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