Environment

Andoni Council Chairman Vows To Restore Peace, Dev

Published

5 years ago

June 21, 2021

The new Chairman of Andoni Local Government Area, Bar Erastus Awortu has reiterated his readiness to run all inclusive government that will restore peace and development in the area.
Awortu made this Known at his swearing in and reception ceremony held in Port harcourt.
According to him,”the government is not for Peoples Democratic Party PDP and politicians alone but for all citizens of Andoni irrespective of the Party one belong to.”
He called on all stakeholders including those in Opposition parties to join hands to give Andoni a new facelift
The Chairman also called on the youths to embrace peace and shun violence, saying that development cannot take place amidst insecurity.
Awortu reassured that education and empowerment of youths would be a priority in the new government of the area.
Mr Awortu also pledged to enroll 20 youths in the Local Government Area for a maritime training programme.
The council chairman said he was determined to have development programmes geared towards preparing the youth for gainful employment in the maritime sector.
“I have started exploring employment opportunities in the various oil companies operating in our areas.
“But, these companies have always complained that our youths lacked requisite skills.
“It is on this note that I have decided to train selected youths and arm them with necessary manpower in the maritime sector.
“I have had a preliminary discussion with a maritime institute where I intend to enroll no fewer than 20 trainees for the 2021/2022 academic session of the institute.
“We look forward to training 20 ship captains in the first two years of our administration,” Awortu said.
On criteria for selection for the training, he assured that it would be based on merit, adding that participants would be exposed to a competitive examination.
As part of efforts to set his agenda for the council rolling, the new council head has announced two key appointments in his cabinet.
Mr Dimiari Franklyn will serve as Secretary to the Council while Mr Talik Dandison will serve as the Council’s Chief of Staff.
Indigenes and political stakeholders in the area who were present at the reception have pledged support for the new administration.
It would be recalled that Governor Wike of Rivers had last Thursday inaugurated newly elected 23 local council chairmen.
Among other demands, the governor had urged the new chairmen to prioritize security and environmental sanitation in their respective areas.
Based on the governor’s charge, Awortu said that he would strengthen an existing committee set up by traditional rulers in pursuance of peace in Andoni.
He said the measure would assist in achieving quick and sustainable peace in the area and urged the various warring factions to support the peace process.
“The current security situation in our area is quite worrisome, some communities have been internally displaced following consistent cult related crises.
“A lot of our people are currently taking refuge in neighboring local government areas.
“We must strive to restore peace and ensure that displaced persons are returned to their homes.
“The people responsible for unrest and bad reputation that a once peaceful area now have are all our children and brothers.
“We cannot continue to pretend as if we don’t know them, we cannot continue to tolerate this unwarranted torture on innocent citizens.
“This is the reason we must form a united front in our commitment to peace,” Awortu said.

By: Enoch Epelle

Environment

LWC, Julius Berger seek stronger coordination on Lagos infrastructure

Published

1 day ago

August 17, 2026

The Tide

The Lagos Water Corporation (LWC) has commenced discussions with Julius Berger Nigeria Plc to strengthen coordination between water and road infrastructure projects.

This is contained in a statement issued by the corporation.

The corporation said the engagement followed a courtesy and familiarisation visit led by its Managing Director, Mr Mukhtaar Tijani, to Julius Berger’s Ijora office.

It said the visit was aimed at strengthening institutional relations and creating opportunities for deeper collaboration between both organisations.

The corporation stressed the importance of cordial relationships with neighbouring organisations and strategic stakeholders to promote future collaboration.

The meeting focused on road construction, water pipeline protection, water infrastructure development and sustainable water supply across Lagos Island and its environs.

Both organisations highlighted the need for early communication and technical coordination to prevent conflicts between road projects and existing water infrastructure.

Julius Berger Regional Commercial Manager, Region West, Mr Alexander Bauer, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to sustainable engineering solutions rather than short-term fixes.

Bauer stressed the importance of early stakeholder engagement and proper coordination before construction activities begin.

The meeting also examined access to project drawings and technical information required to improve coordination between water and road infrastructure projects.

Julius Berger explained that releasing detailed project drawings remained subject to approval from the appropriate client.

Both organisations therefore agreed on the need to engage the Lagos State Government to secure necessary approvals and strengthen technical collaboration.

The discussions also focused on accurate pipeline information and its importance in planning future water infrastructure and urban development projects.

The LWC delegation raised concerns about uncoordinated borehole drilling and its potential effects on groundwater resources and the ecosystem.

Participants noted that stronger public water supply systems could reduce dependence on individual boreholes and help protect underground water resources.

Construction & Maintenance

They also agreed on the importance of sharing information on construction activities, road conditions, project schedules and potential disruptions.

Security and community considerations were also discussed, with Julius Berger highlighting its engagement with relevant authorities on security infrastructure within the area.

The meeting ended with a shared commitment to open communication, stronger technical coordination and exploring further opportunities for collaboration.

The engagement is expected to strengthen synergies between water and road infrastructure planning and support resilient and sustainable infrastructure development across Lagos.

Environment

IYD: Climate experts advocate investment in African youth

Published

1 day ago

August 17, 2026

The Tide

Some Climate Experts across Africa have called for investment in African youth to enhance future security.

They made the call on Wednesday during a webinar organised by Planet, People and Peace Foundation (PPPF), a non-governmental organisation, to observe 2026 International Youth Day (IYD).

According to them, there is a need to invest, listen and create opportunities for young African people.

The Tide source reports that the 2026 theme of the IYD is “Different Contexts, Common Aspirations’’.

Miss Bisi Kumuyi, the Secretary, Climate Beyond Border Caravan (CBBC), Nigeria, who canvassed for investment in youth, said the future of Africa would be determined by the opportunities the continent created for its young people today.

The CBBC, an initiative of PPPF, is a pan-African, youth-led campaign promoting climate action, cross-border cooperation and green economic transformation across the continent.

‘‘As Africa joins the rest of the world to commemorate International Youth Day on Aug. 12, 2026, we celebrate the energy, creativity, resilience and determination of young Africans who continue to shape the continent’s present and future.

‘‘This year’s theme reminds us that young people across Africa live in different social, economic and cultural circumstances.

‘‘They share common aspirations: access to quality education, decent employment, innovation, peace, inclusion, environmental sustainability and opportunities to fulfil their potential,’’ she said.

Also speaking, Mrs Nouran Farouk, an Egyptian Climate Activist, called for urgent investment in Africa’s youth.

According to her, Africa is the world’s youngest continent, and its youthful population represented one of its greatest assets.

Environment

PWDs: CCD Unveils Report On Climate Change Impacts, Urges Implementation

Published

1 day ago

August 17, 2026

The Tide

The Centre for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) has unveiled a research report on impacts of climate change on Persons With Disabilities (PWDs), calling for its implementation in the country.

The Acting Director CCD, Mr Godwin Unumeri, made the call at the public presentation of the report titled: “Disability-Inclusive Greenhouse Gas Emission and Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation in Nigeria” on Wednesday in Lagos.

The event brought together government institutions, development partners, civil society organisations, persons with disabilities and other key stakeholder to foster dialogue, collaboration and stronger commitment to disability-inclusive climate change adaptation and mitigation in Nigeria.

Unumeri urged stakeholders to strengthen collaboration and policy commitment toward building climate resilience and ensuring the inclusion of persons with disabilities in Nigeria’s climate response.

He noted that valuable insights and recommendations from stakeholders at a validation workshop in February had been incorporated into the report.

According to him, effective implementation of the recommendations requires sustained collaboration, strong policy commitment, adequate resource mobilisation and coordinated action across sectors.

“By working together, we can translate these findings into practical interventions that strengthen climate resilience and ensure the full inclusion of persons with disabilities in Nigeria’s climate response,” he said.

In her remarks, the General Manager, Lagos State Office for Disability Affairs (LASODA), Adenike Oyetunde-Lawal, urged the stakeholders to ensure that the report would be translated into practical interventions to enhance full inclusion of PWDs particularly in climate change policies.