Environment
The Implications Of Burning Tyres
The burning of tyres in villages, towns and cities across Nigeria especially at every New Year eve, is becoming popular among young Nigerians and some adults.
Investigation has revealed that some of those who indulge in it, see it as a way of welcoming the new year, while for others it is just for fun.
Aside from those who burn tyres at every new year eve, there are still some who do it for commercial reasons, which include extracting wires with the view of selling them for money.
Similarly, in most abattoirs in the country tyres are used for curing animal skin.
It would be recalled that last year, the tyre dump at the Port Harcourt flyover was set ablaze by some unknown persons.
Meanwhile, some environmentalists and members of the civil society have described the act as unfriendly to both the environment and human health.
A cross section of respondents who spoke on the issue said that burning of tyres add to the depletion of the ozone layer.
They also said that the situation is not health friendly as the consumption of meat roasted with tyres and inhaling of fumes from burnt tyres can cause series of health challenges.
A medical doctor at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH) who spoke under condition of anonymity said that the situation is also adding to the black soot situation.
He said that the odour is offensive especially within the environment, where the tyres are being burnt.
The medical practitioners stressed the need for those working in abattoirs to evolve a better means of preparing their meat, while the government should evolve measures to check the incessant burning of tyres.
Also speaking, the programme manager, Centre for Environment Human Rights and Development (CEHRD) Mr. Steven Obodoekwe said that time has come for policies that will check the incessant burning of tyres by some members of the society. Mr Obodoekwe also described as senseless, the incessant burning of tyres on every new year eve.
According to him, “I don’t really know why people take delight in burning tyres on new year eves, saying they are burning the old year away.
“They don’t have the time to pause and consider the implications of their actions to the environment and health of the populace.”
He further said that burning of tyres add dangerous substances to the environment that are harmful to human existence.
“When tyres are burnt, some amounts of dangerous hydrocarbon are released into the atmosphere. This adds to pollution of the environment.
Obodoekwe also added that the situation was one of the causes of the black soot.
Also speaking, a former president of the Nigerian Environmental Society, (NES) Mr. Olu Ndi Ogosu described the situation as dangerous to the environment stressing that it is partly responsible for the present environmental problems facing Rivers State and the entire Niger Delta.
He stressed the need for actions on the path of the authority to checkmate the problem.
On his part Prince William Chinwo, an Environmentalist, who condemned the act stressed the need for the government to set up a recycling plant for disused tyres.
“The tyres can be used for craft works such as boat padding, water proof rapt and craft construction, shoe soles, rain boots and rubber hoe designs. Chinwo said that, tyres can be used for the construction of upholstery seat stands knee elbow and protecting pads for safety wares, robber losing among others.
He said that the society is loses millions of naira through the burning of tyres.
Also speaking, Mr. Belema Nyeduko said that proper management of disused tyres can create employment appointments for thousands of unemployed youths in the society.
He stressed the need for the government to ensure proper safeguard of the tyre dump at the Port Harcourt Flyover to ensure that it is not set ablaze by hoodlums again.
Other respondents expressed similar sentiment over the issue in line with expert advise, it is hoped that both the Federal and State Government will come up with legislations to check the trend and save the environment from further pollution.
Stories by John Bibor & Tamunoseipiriala Okweinkiki
The Ministry of Environment on Thursday in Abuja, advanced its National Adaptation Plan (NAP) process, validating a comprehensive plan aimed at tackling climate-related challenges in the country.
The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Alhaji Mahmud Kambari, said this at the Stakeholders Consultative Workshop on the Development of the concept notes to the Green Climate Fund (GCF) for NAP in Nigeria.
Kambari, who was represented by Mrs Victoria Pwol, the Deputy Director in the Department of Climate Change (DCC) in the ministry, said that the workshop is a collective resolve to confront the realities of climate change with purpose, strategy, and coordinated action.
“Over the past years, the Federal Government of Nigeria, with crucial support from the Green Climate Fund (GCF) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), has made significant progress in advancing the NAP process.
“As a nation, we stand at a critical juncture where climate risks ranging from extreme weather events to environmental degradation continues to threaten our socio-economic stability, food systems, public health, infrastructure, and national development aspirations.
“Through extensive technical work, we have completed a Climate Risk Assessment across all geopolitical and agro-ecological zones, developed an Economic Appraisal, an Adaptation Finance Strategy, and a robust Monitoring and Evaluation Framework.”
Kambari said that these foundational elements now guide Nigeria to identify priority adaptation needs and investment opportunities.
“Let me mention that we are at the tail end of this NAP Formulation Process and looking forward to the implementation phase.
“This workshop therefore serves as a strategic purpose to harmonise perspectives across key MDAs; refine project ideas into strong, evidence-based concept notes.
“It will ensure that proposed interventions align with national priorities and the investment criteria of the GCF and position Nigeria to competitively access the resources required to strengthen resilience across vulnerable sectors,” he said.
Dr Iniobong Abiola-Awe, the Director DCC in the Ministry said that the engagement would enhance achievements by collaboratively developing bankable, climate-resilient concept notes that align with national priorities and meet the GCF’s investment requirements.
Abiola-Awe who was represented by Dr Jonah Barde in the Ministry said that the workshop represented an important step in Nigeria’s ongoing efforts to strengthen climate resilience.
She added that the workshop would advance sustainable development, and mobilise the climate finance needed to safeguard Nigeria’s communities, ecosystems, and economy from the growing impacts of climate change.
Effective communication, transparency, and science-based risk assessments are the cornerstones of Nigeria’s approach to Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs).
Mr Bello Bwari, the Director-General, National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA), gave the assurance during a media interaction in Abuja on Friday.
“Where there is communication, you reduce conflict. Effective communication is key, effective engagement with stakeholders is paramount and key to making Nigeria better.
Bwari said anti GMO’s critics keep participants and practitioners on their toes.
“We value them and we expect that their criticisms, suggestions and recommendations will make our operations in the entire spectrum better.
“Where we are not doing so well, we will hear from them, where we can advance explanations, we will advance explanations. Where they are not doing well, we will tell them. We will not run away from doing that.
“But I want to assure you that we are bold enough to face anybody who is not fact-based,” he said.
He reassured that sometime before the end of the second quarter of 2026 there would be a retreat where all stakeholders would be invited.
“And also, the impact we are bringing is going to be measurable by the end of 2026. And going forward, what we do by the end of 2026 will form the basis of our five-year plan.
“There’s a five-year plan which will start at the end of 2026. So, I enjoin the media to please report what you know as a matter of fact, not as a matter of opinion.
“We all have different opinions, but some of our opinions are not facts. From the quality of what I see on papers, reportage, I think largely I’m impressed with what the press is doing in Nigeria so far,” he said.
Bwari stated that Nigerians deserved to understand what NBMA regulates, why they regulate it, and how decisions were made.
“Part of my focus going forward will be strengthening engagement with the media, researchers, policymakers, and the public because regulation works best when it is understood.
“We are not promoters of any technology, and we are not opponents of innovation. We are regulators.
“But at its core, biosafety is about prevention, caution, and preparedness. It is about ensuring that innovation does not outpace safety, and that national development never compromises public health or environmental integrity,” he said.
He promised to uphold the law without fear or favour, communicate more clearly with the public and ensure that every regulatory decision was transparent, evidence-based, and accountable
“NBMA is not an advocacy agency. Our duty is to assess risks, enforce safeguards, and ensure compliance with national and international biosafety standards.I also want to emphasise that public trust matters.
He further urged the media to help Nigerians understand biosafety and biosecurity in a better way.
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