City Crime

Echoes Of World Environment Day

Published

3 years ago

June 28, 2021

The continuous destruction of the ecosystem and depletion of the Ozone layers formed the major topics for discussions at the just concluded World Environment Day (WED) celebration.
Incidentally, the event which held on the 5th of June had as its theme: “Ecosystem Restoration” The event is marked 5th of June every year. The first World Environment Day celebration took place in 1974 in Spokane, United States of America.
The theme for that celebration was: “Only One Earth,”
World Environment Day has always revolved round a theme. For instance, in 2010: the theme was Many Species One Planet, One Future, celebrating the diversity of life on earth. In 2011, the theme was “Forest Nature at Your Service.” 2012: The Green Economy, 2013 celebration theme was “Think eat Save”.
Similarly for 2014, the theme was: International Year of Small Islands developing states with the slogan: “Raise Your Voice not the Sea Level” for 2015, it was “Seven Billion Dreams One Planet, Consume With Care” 2016, it was Go Wild for Life.
Similarly 2017 celebration featured, “Connecting Nature to people” 2018 “Beat Plastic Pollution” while in 2019 it was, “Beat Air pollution” for this year, the theme was, “Ecosystem Restoration”.
Although the celebration had come and gone, its echoes still linger across the world.
Here in Rivers State, the Rivers State Government and several other organisations participated in the celebration.
Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Dr Nduye C.T. Briggs, described the World Environment Day as a powerful platform to accelerate, amplify and encourage people, communities and governments around the world to take action on critical environment challenges facing the planet.
According to Briggs, who addressed the press during the celebration, the “main objectives of WED therefore, are to identify current environmental issues, protect and preserve our ecosystem and look at various environmental issues growing day by day, spread awareness on the preservation and protection of the environment. “The theme for this year’s (2021) WED celebration means assisting in the recovery of ecosystems that have been degraded destroyed, as well as conserving the ecosystems that are still intact”.
The permanent secretary listed some practical steps that should be taken to restore the ecosystem.
According to him, “We can grow tress, green tree cities, rebuild our gardens, change our diet and clean up rivers and coasts”
He pointed out that, “we are the generation that can make peace with nature,”
According to him, Nature is in crisis, threatened by biodiversity and ecosystem loses, global warming and toxic pollution.”
Dr Briggs, urged the people of Rivers State to protect and preserve the environment in order to save and restore the ecosystem.
“Let us reflect on our activities and their impacts on the environment and engage in practices that ensures, sustainability of the environment”
He pleaded with those involved in illegal refining of crude oil and bunkering to stop it.
“I want to appeal to all and sundry to stop illegal refining of crude oil and bunkering activities, burning of refuses, especially plastics and other hazardous wastes and indiscriminate felling of trees and bush burning.
“These activities, not only affect the air quality and the ozone layer, but also pollute both surface and ground waters”
He said, the Rivers State Government on its part will continue to protect the environment as well as ensure that policies on the ecosystem restoration are complied with, while also providing social amenities and protecting lives and property.
Also speaking on the theme in an interview with The Tide, the Rivers State President of the Waste Management Society of Nigeria (WAMASON), Mr Abu Benson said, “restoring the ecosystem means protecting their biodiversity and helping them to deliver benefits for the people”.
“It means using ecosystem on land and in the oceans in ways that strengthen their natural resources and processes”.
Abu listed ways in which the ecosystem can be restored to include, supporting the national policy on solid waste management and the plastic waste management initiative to take effect at local, state and national levels.
Pledge support for restoration or conservation initiatives, including cleaning up a lake beach, park or other natural area as well as greening our homes, business, school or public spaces as professional members with indigenous trees or plants.
The WAMASON state chairman also advocated for halting purchases of products and services that are not certified as sustainable as well as imbibing the culture and practices of sustainable waste management.
Similarly, in a press release to mark the day, the Centre for Environment Human Rights Development (CEHRD) condemned gas flaring penalties.
“The overt relaxed penalty for gas flaring that makes economic sense for oil companies to flare gas and pay the penalty rather than adopt trending technology in gas reuse does not help and potentially limits the opportunities for achieving the Nigeria’s nationally determined contribution (NDC).
According to CEHRD, strengthening existing policies and legislations is critical to providing a holistic solution to protecting, preserving and restoring the environment which are key components of ecosystem restoration”.
The centre also called on the citizenry and government at all levels to take practical steps to prevent further loss of biodiversity and restore degraded ecosystems.
“Individuals, communities and the multinational companies must also put an end to practice, that compromised conservation and restoration of biodiversity.
“These include, artisanal refining of crude oil, over exploration of mangroves for firewood, fishing with dynamite and gas flaring.
“We demand that the government of Nigeria should as a matter of urgency embark on a robust sensitisation on citizen’s environmental stewardship and coordinate participatory and sustainable actions to restoring degraded mangroves and rainforests.”
It also urged for a national policy on tree planting in every home, in schools, colleges and public parks, while existing legislations including the National Oil Spills Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) Act and the Environmental Impact Assessment Act be strengthened. The theme is laudable but government must go beyond mere policy-making, by taking action.
In the Niger Delta for instance, action should be lauder than word.
All in all, the celebration has once again re-awakened the consciousness of the society to take action to protect our ecosystem.

By: John Bibor/Miracle Peters

City Crime

Rivers Is Poised To Join Top Tourist Destinations – Commissioner

Published

3 days ago

December 1, 2024

The Tide

The Rivers State Government says the administration of Governor Siminalayi Fubara is taking practical steps to revitalize the tourism sector in the State and promote its rich cultural heritage to make Rivers State a premier destination for investment in culture and tourism.

The Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Hon. Israel Lebura Ngbuelo stated this at the opening ceremony of the Abuja International Carnival 2024.

He said beside the huge investment on security and critical infrastructure, Fubara is determined to fully harness the tourism potentials and rich cultural heritage of the State for the sustainable growth and economic prosperity of Rivers State.

Dr. Ngbuelo said several initiatives by the governor are ongoing to make Rivers State a choice tourism destination, thereby fostering social cohesion and making tourism a viable alternative revenue source in Rivers State, to boost the revenue of the State and promote sustainable development.

He said the initiatives include the current move to activate the long-abandoned Port Harcourt Tourist Beach to become a treasure center for the promotion of arts, culture and tourism.

Dr. Ngbuelo said concrete steps are also being taken by the governor to resuscitate the abandoned Rex Lawson Cultural Centre in the old Port Harcourt Township with the goal of maximizing its utilization including establishing an Art and Culture Training School at the center.

The Commissioner said investments in culture and tourism are not only safe in Rivers State but also guaranteed to thrive due to the sustained peace and security in the State as a result of the commendable efforts of the governor in the area of security of lives and properties in the State.

The Commissioner led the Rivers State contingent to a scintillating, spectacular and superlative outing at the Abuja International Carnival 2024.

The contingent which comprised diverse cultural troupes from across the 23 local government areas of Rivers State, showcased colourful and stunning Rivers costumes as they marched through the major streets of Abuja to the Eagle Square, venue of the Carnival where they mesmerized the audience with their phenomenon performances.

Dr. Ngbuelo expressed optimism that Rivers State would emerge victorious in all categories of competition at the Carnival due to the level of preparedness of the State as well as its rich and unique culture.

He said besides personally rehearsing with the troupes and supervising them to ensure a good outing, Fubara graciously provided all that they requested.

The Federal Lawmaker representing Andoni/Opobo/Nkoro Federal Constituency Hon. Dr. Awaji-Inombek Abiante, the Rivers State Commissioner for Physical and Urban Development Rt. Hon. Evans Bipi, Local Government Chairmen, political appointees and other Stakeholders were among dignitaries and guests from Rivers State who graced the Abuja International Carnival 2024.

City Crime

RSG To Enforce Building Plan Compliance

Published

1 month ago

October 21, 2024

The Tide

The Rivers State Government has vowed to enforce strict compliance with approved building plans by property owners and developers in the State to guarantee safety and adherence to regulatory standards.
The Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Rt. Hon. Evans Bipi, in his inaugural meeting with the Permanent Secretary, Directors and staff of the Ministry, said he would ensure full implementation of the Physical Planning Development Law of the State.
He warned that the Rivers State Government will no longer condone a situation where developers make deliberate adjustment or completely deviate from approved building plan in the execution of their projects without recourse to the Ministry.
Hon. Bipi solicited the cooperation of the civil servants of the Ministry while promising to run an open door policy and be easily accessible.
He also promised to right the wrongs, make a positive impact and leave an enduring legacy in the Ministry.
He promised to enhance the physical landscape and aesthetic of Old and New GRA as well as other parts of Port Harcourt.
In his remarks, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, Surv. Wisdom Hebron, assured the Commissioner of maximum cooperation to foster a harmonious working environment.

City Crime

Fubara Approves N85,000 New Minimum For Rivers Workers

Published

1 month ago

October 21, 2024

The Tide

Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has approved the payment of N85,000.00 as the new minimum wage for civil servants in the employ of the Rivers State Government.
This is the agreement reached during a closed door meeting presided over by the Governor and attended by representatives of organised labour under the auspices of the Joint Public Service Negotiating Council in the State at Government House in Port Harcourt on Friday.
Briefing newsmen after the meeting, the Head of Rivers State Civil Service, Dr George Nwaeke, who spoke on behalf of the Government, affirmed that Governor Fubara has graciously approved a new minimum wage of N85,000.00, adding that the government will begin in November, 2024.
Dr George said, “He (Gov Fubara) has pronounced a figure that is higher than the National Minimum Wage. He pronounced a sum of N85,000.00, which is higher than the minimum wage that was prescribed nationally.
“So, as the Head of Service and a major stakeholder in the labour family, I am very happy to say that the Rivers State Civil Servants have never had it this good since the inception of this State.
“The labour union leaders and all the other major stakeholders were happy with this development,” he added.
Responding to possible payment of arrears, Dr Nwaeke, said it is yet to be determined because a technical committee has been set up to critically work out a tenable payment chart, which will cater to issues of arrears.
He clarified, “Issues of arrears will be worked out by the committee that I am going to be Deputy to the SSG. We are already going to work on it in a technical committee that will now get the nitty gritty of the payment and inform the press later.”
On his part, the Rivers State Chairman of the Joint Public Service Negotiating Council, Comrade Emecheta Chuku, explained that this is their first meeting with Governor Fubara to discuss the issue of the new minimum wage as approved by the Federal Government of Nigeria.
Comrade Chuku pointed to the fact that the gracious approval of N85,000.00 new minimum wage is very appeasing to the labour leaders, adding that it demonstrates love for the workers.
He explained, “For the Governor to come, against all the crisis, against all the things that he is facing and more, to say he will pay N85,000.00 minimum wage, I think our hearts are full of joy.
“Of course, we have no doubt, knowing the kind of person we have as our Governor. He is a decent man; very responsible enough; and grew through the rank and file of the system. He understands what it takes to earn a living salary; he understands the difference between gifting money and paying somebody salary that can sustain him or her from the first day to the last day of the month.”
Also speaking, the Chairman, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Rivers State Chapter, Comrade Alex Agwanwor, noted that the amount approved by Governor Fubara puts Rivers State Government ahead of Lagos State as the highest minimum wage paying State to civil servants in Nigeria.
He stressed, “Why do I say that? Lagos State said N85,000.00 and Rivers State is paying N85,000.00. The IGRs of Lagos State and Rivers State are not the same. So, for the Governor to agree to pay the same rate with Lagos, that means we are at the top of it.
“We are the best, and we want to continue to commend the Governor. We assure him that, as far as this State is concerned, labour is going to stand with him. We will be with him even until the next eight years.
“I want to commend His Excellency, Executive Governor of Rivers State, our own Number One Worker in Rivers State, he has, once again, proven that the workers in Rivers State gave him an award on May Day as the Champion of Labour, as the Most Labour-Friendly Governor in Nigeria. He, again, has shown that to us today, and I want to commend him.”
He added that they were returning to the State Secretariat Complex to inform workers of the Governor’s magnanimity and benevolence towards civil servants in the State.