Environment
Kerosene Scarcity: Households Resort To Firewood
As kerosene scarcity bites harder, more Rivers households are now relying on firewood as their source of energy.
Our correspondents report that a bottle of kerosene is now selling between N700 and N800 in some markets especially in Port Harcourt City and environs.
A recent market survey conducted by our correspondents on the prices of the product in some markets in Port Harcourt shows that a bottle of kerosene which used to sell N150 and N200 now sells at N700 to N800.
A visit to the Eleme junction market shows the product selling at N700 while at the small market at Igbo Etche, the product is selling at N800.
Investigation also revealed that in some rural communities, especially in the riverine areas the product is non existent.
Similarly, prices of firewoods have also gone up, at Igbo Etche, a trader told The Tide that a bundle of firewood which before at N100 now sells between N300 to N400.
According to Mrs. OgechiIzuba, “even firewood self is scarce”, adding that they now go to bush markets to get them.
The Tide also learnt that some food vendors have also increased the prices of their food.
A food vendor who simply gave her name as Mrs. Blessing told our correspondent that the situation was affecting her business negatively.
In her words, “ I have increased the price of my food because of the increase in kerosene and firewood prices.
“I barely make enough from sales and this increment is really not helping”.
She also said she resorted to the use of firewood because of the increase in price of kerosene.
“ I started using firewood because I could not cope up. It is raining season now.
Speaking with our correspondent at Eneka, Miss Caroline Mbata regretted that kerosene which used to be at the doorsteps of every household was now a scarce commodity.
She said the price of the product was driving the women to revert to the old method of using fire wood as a source of energy and stressed the need for the government to do something about it.
Also, a petty trader, Obinna Johnson said the situation was biting is bitting harder on many households.
He regretted that kerosene which was the commonest product for the common man was now a scarce commodity.
Obinna also urged the government to do something about it.
Meanwhile, the Executive Director of Reginagilead Foundation for the elderly, Mrs. Ebiware .N. Helen has called on households not to increase their reliance on firewood for cooking.
Helen, who spoke on the situation in an interview with The Tide said cutting down trees for firewood has a big negative impact on the environment.
She said the situation contributed to climate change, stressing that instead of using firewood, they can use coal.
Helen said firewood smoke caused blindness, “we do not need kerosene and firewood. Coal does not generate smoke.
“ Coal is very cheap to get, it does not cost much so i am appealing to our women to look for coal instead of kerosene and firewood” she said.
By: John Bibor, Oribimlbama & Precious Boms
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.