Environment

Tackling Flooding In PH

Published

9 years ago

March 27, 2017

As the rainy season sets in, anxiety is mounting among residents of Port Harcourt city and its environs over the possible increase in flooding in the city, this year.
The Tide observed that during last week Wednesday’s heavy down pour, many parts of the city were flooded.
Among the heavily flooded areas were the MTN junction along the PH Aba Express road, Artillery Junction also along Port Harcourt Aba Express road and Elekahia, and Rumukalagbor.
Also affected by the flood during the rainfall were the popular Mile I Market to Emenike and Elechi Road junctions by the Mile Three market all along the Ikwerre Road.
At the Elekahia, Rumukalagbor villages, The Tide observed that many residents were displaced.
Residential buildings and shops were flooded and for shop owners, it was a sad day as most of their wares were destroyed by the flood waters The Tide also observed that a private school located along the Hill Top Drive Elekahia was shut down and pupils evacuated that morning as a result of the incidents.
A cross section of residents who spoke to The Tide on the situation blamed the flooding on the over flow of the two major adjoining streams which cut across the two communities.
They said that the streams known in the local language as Mini Jiriji and Mini Okoro had been sources of concern to the communities as they normally overflow their banks during heavy rainfall.
They said that until the streams were dredged to ensure the free flow of waters, the situation will get worst.
A shop owner, Mr Innocent Uwuma told The Tide that his shop was flooded early that morning and most of his wares had been destroyed.
Mr Uwuama said that the government must find solution to the problem of flooding in Elekahia and Rumukalagbor stressing that the only way to do this is to dredge the two streams.
“Let the government clean the streams, so that the water can flow into the bigger Rivers”.
Another trader, Kingsley Anosike who also claimed to have lost all his wares, further opined that the solution to the flooding in the areas lies in the dredging of the streams.
Mr Anosike recalled that last year, many traders in the area also lost their wares to the flood waters.
“Last year, we experienced the same thing we are appealing to the government to dredge the streams and make them deeper.
He said that if noting was done about the situation, that axis of Port Harcourt will be cut off from the rest of the city by flood.
Last year, we managed to survive the situation but this year I don’t know what is going to happen as subsequent rains seems to get heavier. Another resident, Mrs Ogechi Clement said that she had already removed all her belonging from her house.
She said that she suffered similar thing last year and called for assistance from the public.
The Tide observed that the situation caused gridlock along the Elekahia Rumukalagbor road as vehicles found it difficult to pass through the area.
Similar situation was also observed at the MTN junction, Aba road and the Mile I Market along Ikwerre Road.
At the market, traders were seen transferring food items to the median.
An environmentalist, Mr Steve Obodoekwe, said the situation was a sign that residents of Port Harcourt city and environs will experience more flooding as this year’s rains will be very heavy.
Mr Obodoekwe told The Tide that, the solution lies on regular desilting of the drains.
He called on the Ministry of Environment and the Rivers State Waste Management Agency (RIWAMA) to come up with modalities of ensuring that streams and rivers such as: the Interwoba creek, Mini Jiriji and Mini Okoro are regularly desilted to ensure their free flow.
He also suggested that residents who are in the habit of dumping refuse into these channels should desist from such act or face the full wrath of the law.
Also speaking on the issue, a Public Affairs analyst, Rev (Dr) Sokari Soberekon said that government must look for ways of channeling waters from the Mile I axis of Port Harcourt through Abonnema Wharf to the rivers there.
He said that the situation at Mile 1 Market portended great danger to the health of the society as most people buy most of their food stuff from Mile 1 market. All in all, it is flood everywhere and the government must find solution to it.

Environment

WDC: Rivers State Deputy Governor, Prof. Odu Call Inclusion Of Woman And Girls Decision Making

Published

2 days ago

March 30, 2026

The Tide

The Deputy Governor of Rivers State, Ngozi Nma Odu, has called for greater inclusion of women and girls in decision-making processes across all sectors, stressing that amplifying their voices is critical to national development.

Rivers State Deputy Governor, Prof. (Mrs.) Ngozi Nma Odu (Right), Launching the CIFAL Nigeria’s Voices of Experiences during the Mentoring the Next Generation and Joint Commemoration of UN International Women’s Day and World Water Day at the Rivers State University Complex,

She made the call during the launch of the “Voices of Experience” mentorship programme and the joint commemoration of the International Women’s Day and World Water Day at Rivers State University on Tuesday.

Odu underscored the burdens borne by women, particularly in rural communities, where they play central roles in water sourcing and food production. She reaffirmed support for initiatives that promote gender advocacy, noting that women’s lived realities must inform policies.

She also stressed the need to sustain the 30 per cent affirmative action for women’s inclusion, urging women to emulate pioneers such as Margaret Ekpo and Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, who championed women’s rights in Nigeria’s past.

Drawing from local experience, Odu recounted how women in Egi community mobilised to demand change by peacefully protesting at an oil facility, demonstrating the power of collective action.

She further advocated partnerships with CIFAL Nigeria and UNITAR to deepen mentorship for young people, noting that such collaborations are essential for building inclusive governance and transferring values to future generations.

The Vice-Chancellor of the university, Isaac Zeb-Obipi, emphasised the need to recognise women’s contributions globally, particularly in water management. He called for increased investment in women’s education and empowerment to ensure access to clean water.

Zeb-Obipi also pledged to align the institution’s academic and research activities with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, while commending CIFAL Nigeria for its innovative programmes.

In her keynote address titled Inclusive Leadership: Building Institutions that Reflect All Voices, former Commissioner for Information, Ibim Semenitari, lamented declining female political representation. She noted that women’s participation, which rose from 1.8 per cent in 1999 to about 8 per cent in 2007, has dropped to roughly 4 per cent.

According to her, the issue is not participation but systemic exclusion, describing it as “a justice problem.” She also decried barriers facing youths and persons with disabilities, including limited access to leadership opportunities and inclusive education systems.

Director of CIFAL Nigeria, Ihuoma Njemanze, said the centre aims to bridge generational gaps by engaging young people—particularly digital natives—in conversations on women’s empowerment and sustainable development.

She disclosed plans to create platforms for dialogue, global exchanges and capacity-building initiatives aligned with UN goals.

Also speaking, Herritta Ogan identified cultural and institutional barriers as persistent obstacles to women’s advancement, while highlighting weak mentorship among women as a critical gap.

The event featured mentorship sessions, panel discussions and award presentations, reinforcing calls for inclusive leadership and sustained advocacy for gender equality.

Environment

FG Alls For stronger Partnerships, Women Inclusion In Water Governance

Published

2 days ago

March 30, 2026

The Tide

The Federal Government has called for stronger collaborations and increased participation of women in water governance to ensure equitable access to water and sanitation nationwide.

The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev, made the call at a news conference to commemorate the 2026 World Water Day.

He said the day, instituted by the United Nations, highlights the importance of freshwater and promotes sustainable management of water resources globally.

Utsev noted that the theme, “Water and Gender: Where Water Flows, Equality Grows,” underscores the link between water access, sanitation and gender equality, aligning with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 5 and 6.

The minister stressed that inclusive governance and women’s participation are essential for sustainable development and national growth.

Utsev said the ministry had constructed and rehabilitated over 6,700 water schemes, providing safe drinking water to more than 32 million Nigerians.

“Rural interventions have benefited over two million people, while about 500 additional projects were implemented across Benue, Jigawa, Gombe, Nasarawa, Bauchi, Borno, Yobe, Ogun, and Niger states.

According to the minister, the ministry has completed two National Water Quality Reference Laboratories in Asaba and Umuahia to enhance monitoring and protect public health.

“The Dadin Kowa irrigation scheme delivered 2,000 hectares of land to farmers, including women, while micro-irrigation projects were completed in Jigawa, Oyo, and Kwara, with additional schemes underway in Kebbi,” Utsev said.

“Other dams recording progress include Mangu, Adada, and Ogbesse, while Alau Dam in Borno is being strengthened to improve flood control and water supply to Maiduguri,” he added.

The minister said the National Water Resources Institute had trained over 1,500 youths in plumbing, drilling, and water technology, while 24 water-use licences were issued to ensure equitable allocation of resources.

He noted that River Basin Development Authorities had developed over 154,000 hectares of irrigable land, benefiting more than 1.6 million farmers.

Utsev reaffirmed government’s commitment to inclusive water access and dignified sanitation, urging all stakeholders to collaborate to ensure no one is left behind.

“Water must become a force for equality, empowerment, and sustainable development,” he said, commending development partners, state governments, civil society organisations, and traditional institutions for their support.

He stressed that sustained investment, stronger coordination across federal, state, and local levels, and political will are key priorities, with women’s meaningful participation in planning and decision-making central to success.

The ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Dr Emanso Umobong, said World Water Day highlights the critical link between water and gender, noting that access to safe water directly affects women’s health, education, and economic empowerment.

Umobong was represented by Dr Adebiyi Tajudeen, Director, Finance and Accounts Department in the ministry.

She said gender-responsive water systems are essential to equitable and inclusive societies, and thanked development partners, civil society, and the diplomatic community for their support.

Umobong added that advancing water and sanitation is a direct pathway to achieving SDG 6 and SDG 5, emphasising that gender-inclusive governance strengthens system sustainability and resilience.

She outlined strategies including gender-responsive planning, targeted financing for schools and health facilities, robust data systems, and partnerships promoting women’s leadership at all levels.

“World Water Day is not merely ceremonial; it is a global call to action,” she said, urging stakeholders to amplify the message: “When water flows, equality grows”.

She added that tangible projects demonstrate the impact of gender-responsive water governance, citing functioning schools, operational clinics, thriving markets, and resilient communities.

Highlights of the event included the presentation of the 2026 UN World Water Development Report, Water for All People: Equal Rights and Opportunities, by Dr Enang Momah from UNESCO.

The report said gender inequalities undermine global water security, disproportionately affecting women and girls, who, in spite of managing household water, remain underrepresented in governance and technical roles.

“Unequal access also affects health, education, livelihoods, and safety, currently, 2.1 billion people lack safely managed drinking water, with women and girls spending 250 million hours daily collecting it”.

The report warned that climate change, water scarcity, and disasters worsen these inequalities, calling for stronger action to ensure equal rights, participation, and opportunities in water management.

The Tide source reports that a sensitisation and awareness campaign was held at the Lugbe axis to promote safe water use, especially among vulnerable populations.

The event also featured the distribution of sanitary products to women and girls, as well as the presentation of trophies to winners of the hygiene video skit competition.

Environment

Environmentalists Raise Alarm As World Loses 10m

Published

2 days ago

March 30, 2026

The Tide

Vice-Chancellor of Igbinedion University, Okada, Prof. Lawrence Ezemonye, on Thursday raised concerns over accelerating global deforestation, revealing that an estimated 10 million hectares of forests are lost every year.

Ezemonye raised the concern during activities marking the International Day of Forests at the university in Edo.

According to him, the level of deforestation poses far-reaching environmental and socio-economic threats.

Ezemonye said that Nigeria was not insulated from the trend, citing data from the Food and Agriculture Organisation which ranked the country among those with the highest deforestation rates in Africa.

“The consequences of this loss are grave,” he said, pointing to rising cases of flooding, desertification, ecosystem collapse, displacement of communities and the worsening impacts of climate change.

Describing the annual observance as more than ceremonial, Ezemonye said it should serve as a rallying point for urgent action.

He added that universities must play a central role as “custodians of knowledge and incubators of solutions.”

The V-C reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to environmental sustainability, emphasising that it remained a core institutional value beyond academic discourse.

The commissioner, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Mr Victor Otamere, said “protecting the forests is protecting our lives.”

Adams said that the state government had taken steps to safeguard forest resources, including the establishment of the Edo Forestry Commission.

The Chairman of the Forestry Commission, Mr Valentine Asuen, represented by Area Forest Officer for Ovia North East, Mrs Joan Omosigho, acknowledged the mounting pressure on forest resources and urged Nigerians to take responsibility for its protection.

Nwangwu listed the activities to include agricultural expansion, urbanisation and illegal logging.

He urged participants to move beyond rhetoric and commit to practical actions that would reverse environmental degradation.

The Tide reports that event, themed “Forests and Economies”, drew attention to the critical role forests play in sustaining livelihoods and supporting global economic systems.