Environment
Forest Preservation: NGOs Provide Communities Alternative Means Of Livelihood
The Coordinator, Coalition of Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), Dr Odiga Odiga, says that the group has started introducing viable options of livelihood to Cross River State communities to ensure forest preservation.
Odiga made the disclosure in an interview with The Tide in Lagos.
According to him, the alternatives are means of empowering the communities that are dependent on forest resources in the area for their livelihood.
“Most communities in Cross River make a living from the forest.
“To get them to help in preserving the forest, alternative means of livelihood have to be provided for them.
“The environmental NGOs working in the areas have to put heads together to find a way of getting the communities to help in preserving the forest.
“In collaboration with the communities, we have to look for the alternatives in honey and beekeeping, mushroom farming and fuel efficient stoves,” he said.
Odiga said that the Cross River forest were rich in varieties of plants that produce high quality honey in the country.
He said the NGOs were assisting and encouraging the communities in bee farming in terms of training, logistics and finance.
The coordinator said that there were over 25 edible mushrooms in the Cross River forests, and the groups were empowering people to have mushroom farms.
He said that the NGOs were empowering the communities to be able to produce mushrooms at such a commercial level that they would feed the country and also export.
Odiga said that the groups were also tapping into fuel efficient stoves to reduce drastically the communities’ dependent on firewood for cooking.
According to him, the coalition’s efforts in that regard have yielded positive results as firewood that will normally last for one week can now be used for over a month.
The coordinator lamented that the government had not been forthcoming on the issue of environment and forest preservation.
Odiga, however, said that the coalition, with the help of international donor agencies, had been able to reduce the harm done to the environment through mishandling of the various forest resources in the area.
The National Orientation Agency (NOA) on Thursday, launched an awareness campaign, aimed at educating residents on the increasing impact of climate change.
The campaign also seeks to enlighten residents on the urgent need for personal and community protection measures.
During the launch in Uyo on Thursday, the Akwa Ibom Director of NOA, Mr Mkpoutom Mkpoutom, said that the campaign aims at enlightening residents, about the changes in weather patterns.
He said that this includes unpredictable rise in temperatures, and how these changes threaten public health across the state.
Mkpoutom noted that the current weather was not harmattan, but an extreme form of air pollution, which is harmful to health as it could cause oxidative stress which affects body balance.
“Our environment is changing rapidly, and the effects are evident in the disruptions faced by our communities.
“It is paramount that every citizen of Akwa Ibom understands these changes and take necessary steps to protect themselves, their families, and their livelihoods,” he said.
He appealed to citizens to take the following precautions which include wearing of nose mask, drinking sufficient water, covering of food and water to keep away dust, washing fruits thoroughly before eating, among others.
He directed all NOA structures within the state to engage with local communities through town hall meetings and collaboration.
He also urged engagement with schools and community leaders, to disseminate vital information on early warning signs, as well as safety protocols during extreme weather conditions.
The Chairman of Epe Local Government Area of Lagos State, Ms Surah Animashaun, has urged traders of Aiyetoro and Oluwo fish markets to consistently ensure a hygienic trading environment.
She urged the traders to maintain cleanliness and observe proper environmental sanitation in the markets.
Animashaun said this during a visit to some of the market areas in Epe on Saturday.
She said that clean markets were critical to public health.According to her, poor sanitation could lead to the outbreak of communicable diseases, especially in fish markets, where waste management must be handled with extra care.
The council chairman urged traders to dispose of refuse appropriately, avoid indiscriminate dumping of waste, and ensure regular cleaning of stalls and surroundings
She noted that environmental hygiene is a collective responsibility, adding that everyone should be involved in this development.
Animashaun also warned that the local government would not hesitate to enforce existing environmental laws, including sanctions against defaulters.
She assured traders of the council’s commitment to providing adequate waste disposal facilities and regular monitoring to sustain a clean and healthy market environment.
The council boss also urged traders to desist from selling by the roadside, so as to avoid accidents, noting that several motor accidents had occurred along the Aiyetoro market area.
“We, therefore, urge traders to stop selling on the roadside,” she said.
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.
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