Environment
Foundation Urges Collaboration To Save The Earth
In keeping with Its key objectives and policy brief, the African Indigenous Foundation for Energy and Sustainable Development, (AIFES) has, joined the United Nations and concerned people around the globe to draw attention to the ‘alarm bells’ and continuous threats to the environment as a result of unfriendly human activities and natural occurrences, including climate change,in commemoration of this year’s World Environment Day.
This was contained in a press release made available to The Tide in Port Harcourt.
According to the release, “Focusing on the 2022 theme, “Only One Earth,” AIFES uses this opportunity to call on all individuals, groups, institutions and governments all over the world to act responsively by ensuring that your activities are environmentally friendly, safe and do not destroy nature.
This becomes imperative considering the speed at which the environment and nature is being pushed to the precipice.
Signed by Sunny Zorvah,the group said this year’s theme reminds us once again that we have only one home called Earth which means that we must do all in our powers collectively and individually to protect Mother Earth and secure it for future generations
. This year’s theme draws serious concern to the need for redoubled collaboration and commitment to save the Earth, protect our planet and ensure our generation and future generations have a safe, healthy place to live and grow.
According to recent UN reports, climate crisis is increasing rapidly than envisaged, with 50 per cent possibility that global warming will exceed the current levels in the next five years. This is combined with widespread biodiversity loss which shows that one million species are threatened with extinction.
AIFES aligns with the UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres, who said the rampant pollution create a “triple planetary crisis” that threatens humanity future.
According to him, “We can no longer ignore the alarm bells that ring louder every day.
The only way forward is to work with nature, not against it”.
In marking this year’s World Environment Day, some activities were lined up during the week.
They include, planting of trees; and sensitising the locals on the need to protect the Environment on a Live Radio Programme, Radio Nigeria (Treasure FM 98.5) on Tuesday, June 7, 2022, by 5pm. These activities were concluded with an International media briefing.
AIFES is much concerned about addressing the accelerating heat waves, droughts, floods, wildfires, pandemics, polluted water and air, plastic-ridden streams, canals/waterways, deforestation, Emission of Carbon, Gas flaring, pollution to the hole in the ozone layer, etc, all of which have placed the planet on “Emergency Mode”.
In view of the above, AIFES demands a just Energy transmission; aligns strategy with Paris Agreement; says No to Carbon Emission; No to Shell’s Transition Strategy; No to Global Warming; No to Fossil Fuel Expansion; No to Environmental Degradation; and No to Destruction of Livelihoods.
As these situations continue to confront the human race and the environment, we believe with our genuine commitment to working with nature, not against it, and not giving dead ears to the ‘alarm bells’, the threats, we shall overcome and live sustainably in harmony with nature.
Let’s not Push the Planet to the Precipice!
By: John Bibor & Oribim Ibama
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.