Environment

Group Declares Four New LGAs Open Defecation – Free

Published

6 years ago

February 4, 2020

The National Task Group on Sanitation has declared four new Local Government Areas open defecation free, having met requirements in the Open Defecation Free (ODF) Protocol.
The Local Government Areas are Nsit Atai in Akwa Ibom State, Gagarawa and Kiyawa of Jigawa State, and Agatu in Benue State.
At the monthly meeting of the National Task Group on Sanitation in Abuja, the Chairman, Mr Emmanuel Awe, noted that the declaration makes a total of 20 local government areas now defecation-free.
Receiving the reports from validators who went on the field to verify claimed reports from the local government authorities, Awe thanked the team and members of the group to improve Sanitation and hygiene in the country.
According to him, Nigeria ought to do through collective effort in making sure that open defecation practice ended, saying that as the largest open defecator globally, it cannot be ‘business as usual’.
He said 754 local government areas still needed to be open defecation free, noting that current efforts show that one in two persons defecate openly in the country, and has no access to toilets.
The chairman said Nigeria ought to take a cue from India who made commitment through political will and financial provision to end open defecation in the country.
He hinted that at the upcoming World Bank Spring for Finance Ministers’ meetings in April, discussions would be to see how countries would increase budgets for sanitation and hygiene in line with the Sustainable Development Goals six.
On possible relapse of communities declared open defecation free, Mr Nanpet Chuktu, Programme Manager of Rural Sanitation and Hygiene Promotion in Nigeria, United Purpose, noted that plans were on the way to bring all traditional leaders to a meeting to see work out sustainability plans.
Chuktu, whose organisation is implementing the programme in Benue and Cross River states said Agatu local government had made steady efforts towards ending open defecation, saying the delay was from the farmers-herdsmen crises some time ago.
He added that communities have been triggered and empowered on Simple Doable Actions that will help to maintain ODF status and promote sustainability in hygiene promotion.
Mrs Yemisi Akpa, a member of the Task Group and staff of the Federal Ministry of Water Resources, noted that efforts were on to review the ODF Guideline, saying it would involve a post ODF monitoring towards ending relapse of defecation-free communities.
“We recognise that some ODF communities may have a relapse, that is why we are designing a post ODF guideline for monitoring them.
“This would involve follow-up visits from time to time to see that they maintain the status. “
A Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Specialist for UNICEF, Mr Bioye Ogunjobi, commended the team for efforts made so far at getting more Local government areas open defecation free.
Ogunjobi urged the NTGS and other stakeholders to key into efforts already made in some communities, as they could be ‘low hanging fruits’ for programme success.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that today’s declaration makes a total of 20 local government areas, now open defecation free. (NAN)

Environment

NSE Inauguates 18 Units Residential Terrace In Lagos

Published

2 hours 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 hours 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 hours 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.