Environment

Rivers Youth Protest Over Flood Disaster

Published

7 years ago

October 22, 2018

Orashi Youth Movement,
a socio-political orgnisation in the Orashi region of Rivers State has put the death toll in the current flooding ravaging the region to nine.
Although this could not be independently verified as of the time of filing this report.
The president of the association, Mr Chiowkwa Nweze said that half of the region is being submerged by flood.
Mr Nweze who disclosed this in Ubeta in Ahoada West Local Government Area at a peaceful protest said the flood has rendered thousands of people homeless, while farming and fishing which are the main occupations of the people have been adversely affected.
According to him, the urgent intervention of the authorities will save the people from further problem stressing that the protests of the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) and other companies operating in the area to assist the flood victims.
The youth president used the occasion to thank the chairman of the four local government councils in the Orashi region for their support to those displaced by the incident.
He particularly thanked the Chairman of Ahoada West Local Government Area, Hon. Hope Ikiriko for taking proactive steps to help the victims through the provision of camps for the internally displaced persons from the communities.
Meanwhile, the Eze Igbu Ubie of Ubie Kingdom in Ahoada West Local Government Area, HRM Eze Augustine Okpokiri has decried the continuous silence by the Federal Government to the flood disaster in the state.
Eze Okpokiri who said this while receiving the youths at his palace at Ubeta said that it would be morally wrong for the Federal Government to play politics with the lives of the people.
“We did not choose where we live. We were born and inherited this place whether good or bad. So the lives of the people should not be politicised”.
The royal father also stressed the need for companies operating in the area to rise up to the challenge of assisting the people, stressing that having operated in the region for years, it behooves on them to come to the aid of the people in their moment of need.
Also speaking, a youth, Reuben Prince decried the destruction of properties and farmlands by the flood.
Meanwhile, some residents of Okogbe community in the Ahoada West Local Government have lamented the negative impacts of the flooding in the community.
Mrs Nkechi Oko told newsmen that she has lost her farm to the flooding.
“My crops, my house, my land have been submerged. This is not the first time this kind of flood has occurred.
“In 2012 a similar incidence occurred, and it affected all my farm produce” she said.
A fish farmer who spoke under anonymity complained that all his fishes have escaped from his pond, adding that now hunger is starring him in the face.
“We are hungry. The flood has kept us stagnant, we hardly eat, we have lost our homes, we have lost our identities, we have nowhere to run to”.
The fish farmers who is a retiree described diseases and hunger as their major challenges, stressing that they need food and clean water to survive.

John Bibor, Tamunoseipiriala Okweinkiki&Emeka Igbe

Environment

NSE Inauguates 18 Units Residential Terrace In Lagos

Published

3 weeks ago

December 22, 2025

The Tide

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.

The project, located on Nurudeen Olowopopo Drive, is a partnership between the Lagos State Development and Property Corporation (LSDPC), Messrs Locke Homes Ltd and NSE Ventures Ltd (NSEVL).

NSEVL is the business arm of the Society.

Oguntala said the turning the sod ceremony of the joint development of the NSEVL- LSDPC-LOCKE HOMES JV Construction Project marked a milestone for the Society.

She added that it also showed NSE’s collective commitment to sustainable infrastructure and housing development in Lagos State and Nigeria at large.

She said the project was part of the deliberate efforts of NSE to contribute meaningfully to addressing the perennial challenge of housing deficit in Nigeria.

“We recognise that housing is a critical component of national development, economic growth, and social stability.

“This development is only the beginning of plans by the Nigerian Society of Engineers in the housing and real estate sector,” she said.

The president called on government at all levels, private sector stakeholders, and development partners to continue to support housing initiatives towards collectively achieving sustainable urban development.

Oguntala thanked the Lagos State Government for the opportunity to be part of the ongoing infrastructure revolution in the state.

“We are particularly grateful for the allocation of this plot, which has made this project possible.

“This gesture underscores the confidence reposed in the engineering profession and our capacity to deliver projects of enduring value,” she said.

She also commended the board and management of NSE Ventures Ltd, LSDPC and Locke Homes, for their dedication, professionalism and tireless efforts in bringing the vision to reality.

According to her, the groundbreaking ceremony is the result of strategic collaboration, perseverance and shared commitment to excellence.

She urged the development company and all professionals involved in the project to ensure compliance to highest standards at every stage of the project, from design and construction through to completion.

“Quality, safety, sustainability and adherence to best engineering practices must remain our guiding principles,” she said.

Mr Olufemi Dosumu, Chairman NSE Ventures Ltd. thanked the NSE President for her unwavering support, especially during the difficult period of resolving the land title document.

Dosumu also commended Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who continues to drive the reforms that position Lagos as a peaceful Centre of Excellence.

“Business can only thrive in an atmosphere of peace and stability.

“We appeal to governments at all levels to ensure that safety of lives and property is guaranteed for all citizens,” he said.

He also thanked their partners and commended foresight of past leaders of NSEVL who acquired the land about 30 years ago.

He said the NSEVL was established in 1989 as an investment arm of the NSE to identify and promote business opportunities for the benefit of the Society.

He said the project would break barriers, create jobs, foster skills, and inspire young minds to aim for the best, ultimately contributing to the growth of the nation.

Gboyega Fatimiehin, Chief executive Officer, Locke Homes Ltd., the developers giving a scope of the project, said it is a terrace of 18 units of totally residential accommodation with a 30-month completion period.

Fatimiehin added that the facility would have a swimming pool, a gym, parking space, CCTV, steady power and water supply, among others.

Environment

FG Launched 1 GOV Digital Content System In Nigeria

Published

3 weeks ago

December 22, 2025

The Tide

Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation has launched the 1GOV Enterprise Content Management System (ECMS) to enhance digital governance and improve service delivery.

The launch, held on Thursday in Abuja, marks the ministry’s transition from paper-based operations to a smart, integrated and technology-driven work environment.

The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev, said the deployment aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu.

Utsev said the system would improve data management, streamline workflows and strengthen transparency and accountability across the ministry.

According to him, the ECMS will enhance productivity, preserve institutional memory and reduce operational costs in the ministry.

Launching the platform, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Didi Walson-Jack, said the initiative is a major step in public sector reform.

She said the ministry’s mandate affects Nigerians through water supply, sanitation, irrigation, river basin development and climate resilience programmes.

Walson-Jack said the 1GOV ECMS enables secure digital records management, automated workflows, electronic approvals and real-time collaboration across MDAs.

She added that the deployment aligns with the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan 2021–2025 and the directive for full digitalisation by December 2025.

“Effective governance cannot afford delays caused by manual bottlenecks or avoidable inefficiencies,” she said.

She directed that all official correspondence in the ministry must henceforth be processed through approved digital registry channels.

In her remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Dr Emanso Umobong, said the system would eliminate workflow inefficiencies and improve service delivery.

She urged staff to fully adopt the platform and engage in continuous capacity building.

Environment

RIVERS HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY SET TO DOMESTICATE CLIMATE CHANGE ACT

Published

3 weeks ago

December 22, 2025

The Tide

The Rivers State House of Assembly says it’s set to domesticate the Climate Change Bill in Rivers State.

Speaking while Unveiling the book Loss and damage the Deputy Speaker Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon. Dumle Maol described the research conducted in Ogoni Communities by the African Indigenous Foundation for Energy and Sustainable Development among Communities Ogoniland as a global phenomenon promising that the Rivers State House of Assembly is prepared to work with relevant authorities and stakeholders in the sector to ensure that Rivers people get remedy for the consequences of climate on their environment.

The Deputy Speaker said though a Governing Council will be in place here in the State , it will be guided by the National Council in Abuja appealing to all Stakeholders and indeed Rivers People to participate in the public hearing and buy in fully to give the state an opportunity to highlight and mitigate the issues on the impact of Climate Change on our Rivers environment

In his speech, the Executive Director of the African Indigenous Foundation for Energy and Sustainable Development AIFES, Legborsi Pyagbara said the research observations is an observation from reports taken from community led findings which revealed that climate Change has led to actuall loss and Damages to inhabitants of Ogoni Communities and call for collaborative efforts between the Government and the Communities including the Civil Society groups and the Media to identify early warning signs around our environment.

The unveiling and response on the Community led research on Loss and Damage ceremony was chaired by the Thomas Bari ere, the Executive chairman of Khana Local Government Area with civil Society groups, traditional Rulers, women groups and the Media in attendance.