Environment
Expert Tasks Govt On Air Pollution Research Analyses
The President, Society of Testing and Laboratory Analysts of Nigeria (SOTLAN), Dr Femi Oyediran, has urged the government to invest in research analyses on air pollution.
Oyediran gave this advice at the two-day 2019 Conference of Analysts, Research Paper Presentations and Quiz Competition organised by the Society in Lagos.
According to him, the cost of analysing air pollution is very expensive, however, urged the government to focus on it.
“Air pollution is germane to the quality of life we want to live on earth.
“Nigeria is nowhere to be found in the Air pollution page of the United Nations (UN), and this is very serious while in some countries even in Accra, you get reports of air pollution of different locations on your phone.
“It will benefit everybody including the politicians and government officials, if government invest in air pollution analyses research,” he said.
Oyediran said that its members had been “doing wonders” in turning out researches that would help the growth of the economy if they were adopted as part of policy implementation.
Dr Dahiru Adamu, the Chairman of Council, Institute of Public Analysts of Nigeria (IPAN) said that as far as air pollution was concerned nobody was safe.
He said that it was high time research analysts came out to tell politicians and government officials that even their fully air conditioner in houses, cars and rooms were not safe.
Adamu said that while in those cosy environment, they were still breathing the same amount of particles like those at the heart of congested markets and roads.
He said that the level of air pollution is now in alarming proportion, stressing that public analysts need to address this with utmost urgency.
The IPAN council chairman said the sooner the governments made decisions based on research evidences the better for everybody.
Prof. Tunde Odesanya of Caleb University, Imota, Lagos said that the difference between indoor and outdoor pollution in urban areas were minimal.
He said that the research focused on Abule Egba, Ketu, Magodo area and Caleb University as control for rural setting, showed that outdoor air pollution at Abule Egba and Magodo where high while that of the university was low.
Odesanya said that the indoor air pollution in Caleb was normal as the area still have rural setting surroundings while it was high in Abule Egba and Magodo because of particulate matters in the atmosphere.
He urged the government to embark on quality research work to measure up with countries in Europe, especially France during the summer.
He said most countries have equipment to report and check air pollution levels.
Odesanya harped on the dangers of air pollution, stressing that its inhalation had been known to have effects on the lungs and the entire body system over time.
He said that such reports were useful for government and policy makers to use in improving the quality of air by deploring necessary machineries to ensure improvement in air quality.
The Lagos State Government has commenced installation of new pumps at the Iju Headworks and Akute water intake stations.
The Tide source reports that the project is aimed at increasing water production, improving operational efficiency and expanding access to potable water across the state.
A statement issued by the Lagos Water Corporation (LWC) over the weekend said the project was approved and funded by the state government.
It said the installation was part of the rehabilitation of the Iju Headworks and Akute Intake Station under Lots 1, 2 and 3.
According to LWC, the rehabilitation is designed to modernise water production facilities, strengthen operations and improve public water supply.
The Network of Female Professionals in Water, Sanitation and Hygiene in Nigeria (FEMinWASH) and the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF) are set to partner on gender-responsive systems strengthening, capacity development and WASH initiatives.
The partnership was proposed during a courtesy visit by a FEMinWASH delegation, led by its President and Convener, Dr Boluwaji Onabolu, to the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Didi Walson-Jack, in Abuja.
Onabolu, who conveyed greetings from FEMinWASH Patron, retired Engineer Ebele Okeke, commended Walson-Jack for upholding the Federal Civil Service’s EPIC values of Efficient, Productive, Incorruptible and Citizen-centred leadership.
She praised the HoCSF’s efforts in advancing gender inclusion in WASH and the civil service, including the development of the National Gender in Water Resources Mainstreaming Policy and mentoring programmes for women leaders.
Onabolu also highlighted the INSPIRE (Inclusive Network for Supporting Progressive Leadership, Innovation, Reform and Equity for Women) programme, aimed at strengthening women’s leadership and inclusion.
She said FEMinWASH was seeking a formal partnership and Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the OHCSF to support INSPIRE, WASH advocacy, capacity building and the institutionalisation of Gender-Responsive Budgeting across the Federal Civil Service.
Responding, Walson-Jack commended the diverse expertise of the FEMinWASH delegation, noting that professionals in WASH, water resources, environment, public health, town planning and education were critical to addressing development challenges.
She welcomed the proposed partnership, assuring that the OHCSF was ready to collaborate with FEMinWASH on civil service strengthening and WASH-related initiatives.
The meeting agreed to further engagements with Dr Garba, Permanent Secretary (Special Duties), and Ms Funke Baruwa, Lead for Partnerships at the OHCSF, to advance the collaboration.
The visit ended with a photo session and exchange of gifts between both parties.
The Special Adviser on Environment, Mr Olakunle Rotimi-Akodu, commended the community on the massive turn-out for sanitation.
He also appreciated the chairman and his team for their support to the ministry.
Rotimi-Akodu urged the community to continue to support the council and by extension, the government, by participating in the exercise and engaging in proper disposal of wastes.
“We have heard your appeal, and I assure you that Lagos government will do something about it.
“Although we have PSP operators in this axis, maybe they were assigned to other areas.
“However, I will ensure something is done and residents will observe the improvement.” the advisor said.
Also, the Managing Director, Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LASMA), Mr Muyiwa Gbadegesin, said that waste management was a collective exercise.
Gbadegbesin, therefore, appealed to the residents to always dispose of their wastes properly.
“You must bag your waste at home. Make sure you have a bin to keep the waste for few days, even if there is a delay by the PSP operator.
“Make sure you pay your PSP operator on time because there is no way they can provide that service if you are not paying them regularly.
The Non Governmental Organization (NGO) Go Green Nigeria Foundation, , has called for more stringent government efforts toward prohibition of illegal sand mining in Rivers, following erosion threats.
The founder of NGO Dr John Babington made the call on last Monday in Umuechem, Etche Local Government Area of Rivers, to commemorate the International Day for the Conservation of Mangrove Ecosystems.
Babington, who sensitised the community on dangers associated with crude sand mining, donated some trees as part of efforts to promote tree planting and revitalisation of the altered mangrove ecosystem.
During an interactive session with the community, the environmental expert identified various concerns and commended residents for their willingness to work together to end the excavation.
He, however, dismissed the notion that illegal sand mining was due to poverty and unemployment, saying, ”the business is a capital intensive venture that could only be operated by a rich cartel.”
He said that though the business might have provided menial jobs for few youths, it had not in any manner addressed poverty.
Presently, the landscape is altered with an artificial river encroaching a major access road and threatening public safety,” he said.
Also speaking, a senior Chief in the community, Chief Gilbert Otamiri commended the NGO for the initiative and promised to collaborate with them.
Gilbert, however, urged the government to tackle unemployment which, he said, was a major promoter of the illegal excavation
Also speaking, The Community Development Chairman (CDC) Mr Agbam Mgbechi thanked the group for the sensitisation and donation of trees.
He called on the government and concerned induviduals to emulate the group by making efforts towards salvaging the area from further environmental damage.
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