Environment

Foundation Restates Commitment To Cleaner, Safer Wetlands

Published

4 years ago

February 7, 2022

Sterling One Foundation, a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), has expressed commitment to a safer and cleaner wetlands.
Mrs Olapeju Ibekwe, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Foundation said this in Lagos in a message to mark the 2022 World Wetlands Day.
The Tide source reports that the United Nations has set aside February 2 every year to mark World Wetlands Day (WWD)
The theme of this year’s celebration is “Wetlands Action for People and for Nature’’.
Ibekwe said that the Foundation was committed to coastal Wetlands preservation and the empowerment of coastal communities through its Beach Adoption and Recycling project in coastal communities across Lekki Peninsula in Lagos.
The CEO said that its adoption project currently span across four coastal communities namely: Alpha, Eleko, Lafiaji and Iwerekun Beach communities.
“This is executed through our three times weekly cleaning of the beaches and community environs which is followed by sorting and recycling of recyclables while solid waste is disposed via the Lagos State Waste Management Authority,” Ibekwe said.
According to her, the WWD theme is in tandem with the area of focus of the Foundation and it will continue to ensure environmental sustainability in these communities.
She noted that coastal Wetlands are found along the Atlantic, pacific and gulf coasts.
She said that wetlands provide a buffer between the ocean and land.
“One of the objectives of our project is to keep the coastal wetlands free from waste, particularly plastics that hamper it from carrying out its natural function of being the kidneys of the earth through filtering, cleaning and storing water for people and the planet.
“Wetlands provide ecosystem services worth over 40 million dollars annually.
“Wetlands have huge economic value, protects fish and wildlife habitat and promotes food security,.
“It supports thousands of species of migratory birds, ecotourism, controls beach erosion and provides aesthetic and cultural values,’’ Ibekwe said.
The CEO urged the global community to join forces in protecting Wetlands from plastic wastes through recycling right from the point of waste generation.
She added that creating awareness and educating the general public on the importance of Wetlands and engaging all relevant stakeholders to promote circular economy would engender environmental sustainability.

Environment

Lagos State Government Refuted Resumed Monthly Sanitation

Published

5 days ago

February 23, 2026

The Tide

The Lagos State Government on Saturday refuted an online media report claiming that the state had resumed the monthly environmental sanitation exercise.

The Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr Tokunbo Wahab, said no categorical statement had been made regarding the commencement date of the exercise.

Wahab explained that what he told newsmen after a project inspection tour last Sunday was that engagements with relevant stakeholders were still ongoing.

He said the state government had planned to begin with a sensitisation programme last week, but was constrained by logistics issues.

“The truth is, we were meant to start with a sensitisation programme last week, but we had a logistics issue. We need to find a day that is acceptable to all stakeholders,” he said.

He expressed optimism that the exercise might return very soon, adding that the official date would be communicated by the Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

The commissioner urged law-abiding residents to continue their lawful activities without hindrance, assuring them that adequate notice would be given before the exercise was reintroduced.

The monthly environmental sanitation, previously held on the last Saturday of every month between 7.00 a.m. and 10.00 a.m., was suspended in November 2016 following a legal pronouncement restricting movement during the exercise.

However, renewed waste management challenges, including clogged drainage channels and indiscriminate refuse disposal, have sparked calls from residents for its reinstatement.

Environment

RIWAMA In Collaboration With Obio Akpo And Port Harcourt LGA Ban Dumping Of Refuse On Road Side

Published

5 days ago

February 23, 2026

The Tide

The Rivers State Waste Management Agency (RIWAMA) in Collaboration with Obio Akpor Local Government Council and Port Harcourt City LGA had advised the public not to dump refuse on the road side.

In a statement signed by the Director of RIWAMA Dr Ibimina Wokoma, Mayor of Port Harcourt Sir Hon Allwell Ihunda and Obio Kpor local government Chairman Hon Dr, Gift Worlu made available to Tide news stated that dumping of refuse on road medians is banned in Obio Akpor LGA, Port Harcourt City LGA, and the entire metropolis.

The statement said all waste is to be properly bagged and taken to the nearest RIWAMA-approved receptacle only between the hours of 6pm and 10pm daily.

“The use of cart pushers for waste collection, evacuation, and disposal is highly prohibited across Obio Akpor LGA and Port Harcourt City Local Government. Corporate organizations are requested to engage only Private Service Providers licensed by RIWAMA, in line with extant laws.

“Scattering of refuse bags at the receptacles or roadside by scavengers, individuals, and organizations engaged in illegal sorting or segregation of waste or recycling business is hereby banned, except as authorized or licenced by RIWAMA at the final dumpsites.

“The Thursday sanitation exercise by shop owners will continue alongside business activities without closing or locking up shops.

The statement also said that , shop owners whose shop environment or surroundings are untidy will be arrested and prosecuted accordingly.

This notice applies to all residents, businesses, and organizations in Rivers State. Let’s work together to restore our “Garden City” status.

By: Kiadum Edookor

Environment

Ministry Of Environment To Validate A Landmark Policy To Advance Nigeria’s Economy

Published

5 days ago

February 23, 2026

The Tide

The Federal Ministry of Environment last Thursday convened key stakeholders in Abuja to validate a landmark policy brief aimed at tackling marine litter to advance Nigeria’s transition to a circular economy.

Mrs Falmata Bukar-Kolo, the Deputy Director, Solid Waste Management and Technology Division in the ministry, warned that plastic pollution poses serious risks to aquatic ecosystems and public health.

She stated that microplastics have already entered the food chain through fish consumption, while clogged waterways, soil contamination, and greenhouse gas emissions from burning plastics are worsening the environmental crisis.

Bukar-Kolo said that plastics, though widely used, are non-biodegradable and persist in the environment for years.

She called for improved waste management systems, stronger enforcement of environmental regulations, and behavioural change amongst citizens and businesses.

Mr Clem Ugorji, Regional Coordinator of PROTEGO, emphasised on the urgency of action, saying Nigeria’s marine litter crisis carries environmental, economic, and reputational costs.

He expressed optimism that the 2025 to 2040 roadmap endorsed at the workshop would shift the country from prolonged dialogue to concrete implementation.

The event was organised in collaboration with PROTEGO (Prevention of Marine Litter in the Gulf of Guinea).

Discussions centred on a draft policy input paper titled “Policies, Institutional Set-up and Financing of Marine Litter Prevention in Nigeria,”.

These seeks to present insightful analysis and a set of recommendations to address the structural and financing gaps that have long hindered effective waste management, particularly plastic leakage from inland communities and waterways into the Atlantic Ocean.

The PROTEGO initiative is supported by the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection and led by adelphi, with implementation in Nigeria by WASTE Africa and the Nigeria Climate Innovation Centre (NCIC).

The policy brief is a key delivery for one of the programme’s four impact areas – building capacities of public stakeholders.