Environment

Institute Establishes 160 Hectares Of National Mandate Tree Species

Published

7 years ago

December 31, 2018

The Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria (FRIN) has established 160 hectares of National Mandate Tree Species across ecological zones in Nigeria between 2017 and 2018 under the national afforestation programme.
Dr Adeshola Adepoju, the Executive Director, FRIN, told the newsmen in Ibadan, on Thursday that the institute achieved this feat through research breakthrough in tree-breeding and genetics and reducing the gestation period of some indigenous economic tree species.
He listed the tree species as; Vitellaria paradoxa (Shea butter tree) Garcinia kola (bitter kola) Irvinga gabonensis (Bush mango) among others.
He said the institute also established a herbal gene bank, developed herbal drugs and trained personnel on conservation of medicinal plants.
Adepoju also disclosed that soil research activities were carried out by the institute over the period under review.
He said this was to determine soil nutrients’ availability and the physical properties of soil that matched selected tree species to be planted within a particular locality.
“During the period, there was an increase of 25,000 plants collection to Forest Herbarium (FHI) which has more than 150,000 plants specimen and recognised as the largest herbarium in West Africa.
“FRIN developed an innovative process technology which converted wood wastes, principally sawdust and wood shavings, into decorative phase ceiling boards, flour and wall tiles.
“Due to the rapid loss of biodiversity globally, FRIN is focusing its research on conservation and domestication of the rare, threatened and critically endangered Flora and Fauna species, as identified by the International Union for conservation of Nature (IUCN).
“The training workshop on Botanical Research and Herberium Management (BRAHMS) System was undertaken through Capture of Primary Biodiversity Data on West African Plants, sponsored by JRS Biodiversity Foundation of U.S. this year.
“This data management tool is being extended to the broader Nigeria Science community to enhance the expertise of Herbarium workers/users, Plant Ecologists, Seed collectors, Plant Data Collectors, Plant Data keeper and Graduate Students,” he said.
The Executive Director said FRIN also developed a Forest Management plan for the Association of Charcoal Exporters of Nigeria (ACEN) for sustainable renewable energy production in the forest at Ora, in Kwara State.
He said to achieve its extension and dissemination mandate, six farming systems’ annual review workshops were organised by the institute to identify farmers’ problems in adopting FRIN research breakthrough.
“There were planning research activities on different models of Agroforestry, sensitisation for farmers and other beneficiaries of FRIN’s technologies on the need for further collaboration.
“Also, we sensitised the public on the importance of FRIN in food security through agroforestry in sustainable forest management.”
He noted that technologies such as edible mushroom cultivation, cane rat domestication and multiplication, snail farming, honey production and processing, were transferred to more than 1,000 farmers in FRIN adopted villages (Forest-based Rural Resource Centres).
He said other technologies transferred included seedlings production and non-timber forest products (NTFPs) processing and utilisation.
“United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), in collaboration with Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) through a Fund-in-Trust agreement, commenced a project on Green Economy in Biosphere Reserves (GEBR).
“The project aims to reduce poverty, bio diversify conservation and sustainable development in sub-Saharan Africa and FRIN is anchoring the project by establishing four livelihood enterprises in Omo biosphere for 200 project beneficiaries.
“The enterprises are: Fish farming/ production, snail rearing, mushroom production and wildlife (Grass cutter) domestication,” he said.
Adepoju noted that a bill for an act to establish the FRIN Bill, 2016; and other related matters, had been enacted by the National Assembly and assented to by the Presidency on Aug. 17, 2018.
He said that the FRIN Establishment Act had also been gazetted on Aug. 20, 2018.
The executive director said a restructuring and manpower development document was produced for the institute to enhance productivity, efficiency and focus-based research output.
“This policy document is positively directing the institute toward meeting her mandates in a better way.”
Adepoju, however, identified the institute’s challenge as low appreciation of its critical mandates in the sustainable environmental management by Nigerians in the rural areas.
“Another challenge is non-collaboration between private and public sectors in the protection of private and public businesses, through biodiversity conservation and sustainable environmental management practices.
“We have several other achievements not mentioned here, but in spite of these challenges, we will make more progress in 2019,” Adepoju said. (NAN)

Environment

AEPB Decried Low Performance Of Waste Evacuator In Abuja

Published

3 days ago

March 23, 2026

The Tide

The Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB) has decried the low performance of the waste evacuation and cleaning contractors, engaged by the Federal Capital Territory Administration to keep Abuja clean.

The Director, Mrs Kate Ogbonna gave the assessment during an interactive session with the contractors in Abuja on Friday.

Ogbonna said she was overwhelmed with unsavoury reports from the supervisors who monitor the daily performance of the cleaning and waste contractors.

“The reports at my disposal from our supervisors, who monitor the performance of the contractors are not too good.”

She called on the contractors to brace up and ensure proper and efficient waste evacuation across the Federal Capital City.

She said that the FCT Minister, Mr Nyesom Wike, has been keeping his promise of paying the contractors on time, stressing that they, therefore, have no excuse not to deliver on the terms of agreement.

She acknowledged that there could be challenges, which were normal with every job, and advised the contractors to procure more equipment and engage more hands where necessary, to make their job easy and seamless.

The director reminded the contractors that they signed the contracts on grounds that they were capable, and assured them that the Board would assist where necessary.

Ogbonna explained that the meeting was to educate and guide the contractors on the full weight of their duties as waste managers and evacuators.

“We want them to know that there are standards and what we expect from them. We have set rules and agreements guiding their schedules.

“All we want is for the Federal Capital City to be clean,” she said.

She appealed to residents and institutions doing businesses in the capital city to pay their waste and cleaning bills and procure the right size of waste bins commensurate with their residences and business offices.

She noted that waste removal and management was capital intensive, adding that residents need to do their part while the Board do its part.

“You cannot be owing and expect clinical waste removed.

“You cannot also have a bin meant for one household for a block of 10 flats and expect it to hold the waste you generate until the contractor’s trucks come around. It will definitely overflow and mess up the environment.

“To ensure Abuja capital city remains clean, devoid of pollution and epidemic free, all must do their part,” she said.

In his remarks, Mr Benjamin Enwerem, Director, Solid Waste Management, AEPB, said that some of the contractors have complained that most of the waste on the streets was being generated by night traders and funfare operators.

“These traders and funfare operators generate waste and litter the whole area, thereby, forming illegal waste dumps around residential and business areas.

“We have taken notice of this complaint and we will send our task force after them,” Enwerem said.

On the performances of the contractors, Enwerem said that although there were still lapses, the contractors were doing better by the day, noting that additional capable hands have been injected into the cleaning force.

On his part, Chairman, Association of Solid Waste Contractors, Mallam Ibrahim Babayo, acknowledged the unsatisfactory performance of the contractors and promised that they would improve.

Babayo also promised that the contractors would procure modern equipment and employ more hands to improve on routine evacuation of waste.

Environment

Buildings Destroyed, 40 Injured In Lagos and C’Rivers

Published

3 days ago

March 23, 2026

The Tide

No fewer than 40 people sustained injuries, while one person was confirmed dead, in separate tanker-related explosions in Lagos and Cross River states.

In Lagos, the incident occurred in the early hours of Saturday along the Lekki–Epe Expressway, around Ologuro Bus Stop, opposite a filling station in the Sangotedo area.

According to the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, a tipper truck rammed into a gas tanker from behind, sparking a massive fire outbreak.

The Permanent Secretary of LASEMA, Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, in a statement, said one person died in the incident, while two others sustained injuries.

“Upon arrival at the scene, it was discovered that a tipper truck rammed into a gas tanker, resulting in a fire outbreak. The driver of the tipper truck died as a result of the impact, while two adult females sustained minor injuries,” he said.

Oke-Osanyintolu attributed the crash to overspeeding and reckless driving, adding that the fire engulfed several roadside shops, causing extensive damage.

Tide source gathered that emergency responders, including the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service and ambulance officials, were able to contain the fire and prevent it from spreading to nearby buildings.

Similarly, the Federal Road Safety Corps, in a statement by the Sector Public Education Officer, Elizabeth Jayeola, confirmed the incident, saying the crash involved a Sinotruck tipper and a Mack trailer.

“A total of four male adults were involved. One person died, one was injured, while two were unhurt. The crash was caused by speed violation, which led to loss of control and collision,” she said.

Jayeola added that the impact triggered a fire that left the tipper driver burnt beyond recognition, while his assistant sustained injuries.

According to her, three warehouses and about 10 roadside shops, including a gym and a generator house, were affected before firefighters brought the situation under control.

Several vehicles, including buses and cars parked within the affected area, were also damaged.

In a separate incident in Calabar, Cross River State, no fewer than 38 persons sustained varying degrees of burns following a gas explosion at a filling station.

The explosion reportedly occurred during the transfer of gas from a storage tank to a service tank when a hose detached, causing gas to leak into the surrounding area.

An eyewitness in a video, Ekanem Essien, described the moment as chaotic, likening the explosion to a bomb blast.

“The only thing we heard was a loud explosion. Everywhere was in confusion. I had to rush my baby out and grab my documents. We could not even reach the fire service in time,” he said.

The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Sunday Eitokpah, in a statement, said the leakage quickly escalated into a fire, leaving residents with little time to escape.

“Several residents sustained injuries, primarily burns, and those with serious cases have been taken to the Teaching Hospital for treatment,” he said.

Despite the scale of destruction in Calabar, the PPRO confirmed that no death was recorded, while victims were receiving treatment at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital.

Environment

Why Buildings Keep Collapsing In Nigeria…. NIOB

Published

1 week ago

March 16, 2026

The Tide

The Nigerian Institute of Building (NIOB) has attributed the recurring building collapse cases across the country to weak construction laws and failure to hold offenders accountable.

President of the institute, Daniel Kolade, made this known in Abuja at the 2026 Builders Day celebration, themed, “Advocacy and Policy Influence: Towards Sustainable Reforms for a Resilient Built Environment”

He expressed worry that, in spite of concerns over building safety, a key regulatory framework meant to strengthen enforcement within the built environment has remained pending before the National Assembly since 2006.

According to him, the delay has created a situation where those responsible for structural failures often escape punishment.

“Because the enforcement arm of the law is still lying with the National Assembly and has not been passed into law since 2006, the room remains for people to go scot-free when these incidents happen,” Kolade said.

According to Kolade, the lack of consequences encourages negligence on construction sites, as many operators believe little or nothing will happen, even if they violate building regulations.

Kolade cited previous building collapse incidents where, years after the tragedies, no individual had been prosecuted or sanctioned.

“As long as people continue to go free when these things happen, you should expect that it may not stop,” he said.

The NIOB president also said that the growing number of unqualified individuals working on construction sites worsened the problem.

He said it has become common for people without the required training or professional certification to assume technical roles in building projects.

“On most construction sites today, everybody claims to be an engineer, even labourers.

“Without the requisite knowledge and understanding, people just assume roles they are not qualified for,” he said.

Kolade noted that professional builders are regulated by the Council of Registered Builders of Nigeria (CORBON), which has the authority to register practitioners and discipline erring members.

He explained that builders found guilty of professional misconduct should face sanctions, including the withdrawal of their practicing licences.

However, he said the absence of a strong enforcement mechanism outside professional bodies makes it difficult to prosecute developers or project promoters who violate construction standards.

“In Nigeria, only one major case in Lagos saw the building promoter go down with the incident.

“In many other cases across the country, those responsible have walked free,” he said.

Kolade stressed that the built environment consists of several specialised professionals, each with defined responsibilities, including builders, architects and engineers.

He said the NIOB remained committed to promoting professionalism, ethical standards and quality assurance within the building industry.

March 13 is observed annually as Builders’ Day to create public awareness about the roles of professional builders and the importance of engaging qualified professionals in construction projects.