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N’Delta Faces Resource Depletion -Experts
Experts in the environment sector have raised alarm that Niger Delta states may face resource depletion, if they fail to evolve proactive measures to check biodiversity exploitation on a large scale.
The experts made their view public at a one-day seminar organised by the Department of Animal/Environmental Biology, Rivers State University in collaboration with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) tagged, “Mainstreaming Biodiversity Conservation in Government and Oil and Gas Operations and Policies in the Niger Delta”, last Monday in Port Harcourt.
Professor of Conservation in the Department of Animal and Environmental Biology in the state university, Prof. Godfrey Akani observed that the issue of biodiversity and conservation has become a source of concern since the region has faced a lot of environmental degradation arising from oil exploration and production over the years.
He said, “…In the Niger Delta, several wildlife species are on the brink of extinction – traceable also to multiple pressures, including unbridled anthropogenic activities, and oil and gas operations”.
Akani maintained that, “We will not like our biodiversity status to degenerate to the level observed in the Caspian littoral states. We have ample reasons to protect our biodiversity from depletion”.
In his paper titled, “Mainstreaming Biodiversity in Oil and Gas Operations and Policies in the Niger Delta: The Case of Delta State”, Director, Ministry of Environment, Delta State, Dr. Obiebi Emamezi said, “the more we delay enforcing biodiversity laws, the more we are hastening our extinction”.
Emamezi stressed the need to enforce conservation laws that will protect natural resources from poaching, deforestation, contamination and pollution, while regretting that so many conserved areas in the region were now under serious danger.
He added that, “60 to 80 per cent of endangered species of animals in Africa are found in the Niger Delta”, and that, “50 per cent of fish harvested in the Gulf of Guinea breed in the Niger Delta”.
The director recommended the need for collaboration between government and oil exploration and production firms in implementing environmental protection laws and policies affecting their activities.
Similarly, Director of Forestry in the Rivers State Ministry of Agriculture, Mrs Nkemdirim Odoya warned that the expanse of land covering over 46,000 square kilometres in the Niger Delta was under threat because of “over exploitation, over-hunting, and over-harvesting of wildlife”.
She said that, “the over-harvesting of wildlife is such that it depletes the growing areas, and most of our wetlands now are now being converted to waste lands”.
Odoya recommended the urgency for trained manpower, budgetary allocation for environmental protection and the need to enforce existing laws on deforestation and wildlife poaching.
The same view was expressed by former director of Forestry in Bayelsa State, Mr. George Amoru, who lamented that among the 12 conserved sites in the state; only two are existing and are now facing extinction due to human poaching, dredging, oil exploration, and total negligence by the authorities.
Happy Birthday Chief Barr. Nyesom Ezenwo Wike CON
Honourable Minister Federal Capital Territory
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We’ll Drive Tinubu’s Vision in Rivers With Vigour – Fubara …Inaugurates Dualized Ahoada/Omoku Road ….Debunks Rift With RSHA
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has stated that he will lead Rivers people to galvanize support for President Bola Tinubu to drive the vision and objectives of the Renewed Hope Agenda in the State with vigour.
The governor, who joined the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), on Tuesday, explained that his decision to join the APC was not for personal interest but for the overall benefit of Rivers State.
Fubara disclosed these while inaugurating the extension of the dualized Ahoada/ Omoku Express road in Ahoada East and Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Areas of Rivers State.
He commended the contracting firm, Julius Berger, for timely delivery of the project, saying the project is a campaign promise fulfilled which will bring economic benefits to the people and tackle issues of insecurity associated with the route.
He said his administration has remained focused in delivering democratic dividends in the state despite facing glaring challenges.
The governor thanked the people of Ahoada East and Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Areas for their continuous support, and urged his supporters to remain steadfast and also support President Tinubu who he said, has demonstrated love to Rivers State as a father.
Fubara denied having rift with the Rivers State House of Assembly, stating that his meeting with the lawmakers was stalled as a result of delay in the agreed meeting to be convened by former Governor Nyesom Wike and other stakeholders for him to meet with the state lawmakers.
“I have made every effort to meet with the Assembly members, but it is not within my leadership to initiate the meeting process.
“The arrangement was for my leader, Wike, and the elders led by Anabraba to call for a meeting with the the lawmakers.
“I’m a gentleman and principled. I can’t go behind to call them when we’ve already agreed. Whoever that tell them that I don’t want to meet with them, or I rejected proposal meant for them isn’t saying the truth,” Fubara said.
The Permanent Secretary of the Rivers State Ministry Works, Mr Austin Ezekiel-Hart, who gave the project description, said the delivery of the project was a fulfillment of long time dream by the people of Ahoada East and Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Areas.
He said the road was previously a single lane and has now been dualised to 14.6 meters wide, complete with solar-powered streetlights with drainages.
He said the road significantly would reduce travel time between Ahoada and Omoku while improving economic activity in the region.
In his welcome address, Chairman of Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Area, Hon. Chuku Shedrack Ogbogu, described the road as a symbol of unity, oneness, and development, thanking the governor for fulfilling his campaign promises.
On his part, the Managing Director of Julius Berger, Engr. Peer Lusbash, said the project was awarded to his company in 2023 with a completion period of 18 months which was achieved in best quality.
He added that Julius Berger enjoyed a good support from the Fubara administration, and assured to complete all ongoing projects being handled by Julius Berger on specification, especially the Ring Road project which is a legacy project.
Rivers State, Sir Siminialayi Fubara, has reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring good healthcare for the people of Rivers State.
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?Governor Fubara stated this when he played host to the Country Director of UNICEF, Wafaa Saeed Abdelatef and her management team in Port Harcourt, last Tuesday.
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?The governor who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Benibo Anabraba, said he would continue to provide the necessary facilities in order to ensure accessible and good health care for all Rivers people.
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?”We are constructing new zonal hospitals across the State. The Ahoada Zonal hospital will be commissioned in December and others are near completion.
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?”We are grateful to UNICEF for all they have done and believe we can always work together to care for the vulnerable in the society. We appreciate your physical presence, and believe that your staff working remotely, can also do more virtually. We have a capable Commissioner of Health, Dr. Adaeze Oreh, to help foster our relationship, communication and greater collaboration,” he said.
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?The Country Director for UNICEF Nigeria, Ms. Wafaa Saeed Abdelatef, assured Governor Fubara of UNICEF’s support to the programmes of the State Government. She appealed that health facilities such as the Oxygen Plant at Eleme Local Government Ares and the New Born Care Units be solarized.
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?”Be assured that UNICEF will continue to work and support the programmes here in Rivers State. We have seen the Oxygen Plant at Eleme LGA which has been effective because of the Public Private Partnership. We appeal that the plant be solarized.
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?”I commend your leadership of the State and assure that we are here to support your effort and assure you that you can count on our support and partnership. Rivers State is one of the states we can showcase how things are working so others can learn,” she added.
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