Environment

Flood: FCET Staff Cry Out For Help

Published

4 years ago

November 13, 2022

Staff of Federal College of Education (Technical), Omoku, Rivers State who were displaced from their homes by this year’s flood disaster have called for their inclusion by the Rivers State Flood Management Committee Taskforce in the ongoing donation of palliatives to flood ravaged areas in the state. They also urged the Federal Government,Ogba Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Council,the National Emergency Management Agency and multinational companies operating in the area to come to their aid.
According to a press release made available to The Tide in Port Harcourt, they complained of being neglected by relevant authorities in view of the fact that they were also affected by the disaster.
According to the release, no government agencies or multinational have sympathised with staff of the institution who have suffered various loses as a result of the flood.
“Since over one month when they were sacked from their various homes and their properties worth millions of Naira destroyed by the flood, nobody or government agencies have cared to ask how they are managing”.
They lamented that for the fact that they are not staying in IDP camps does not mean they were not victims of the 2022 flood disaster and appealed for help from concerned authorities in terms of relief materials, and medical support to cushion the effect of the disaster on them.
The release further said that Federal College of Education (Technical), Omoku flood victims staff numbering over 600 with their family members are now taking refuge in the college students hostels, lecture halls, assembly halls while others are in hotels with relations begging for assistance from the Federal Government, Rivers State Government, the political parties, the 2022 ONELGA Flood Mitigation Committee, the Chairman of the local government Council, the Oba (Eze Ogba) of Ogbaland, NEMA, NAOC Ltd., Indoroma, Elf, NDDC, Bro. Felix Obuah, and other philanthropic bodies and individuals to come to their aid as they are suffering like other flood displaced persons.
The release signed by the Public Relations Officer of the college, Prince Charles Amadike-Otoboh, stated that some of those displaced include members of the Academic Staff Senior and Junior Non-Teaching Staff belonging to Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU), Senior Staff Union of Colleges of Education in Nigeria (SSUCOEN) and Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU) being the three unions existing in the College.
The chairmen of the unions in the college, Comrades Richard Onuotu, Pakaye Ekene and Ireju Wokocha of Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU), Senior Staff Union of Colleges of Education in Nigeria (SSUCOEN) and Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU) respectively, when contacted said they have comprehensive lists of genuine flood victims of their union members and wondered why over one month since their members were displaced by the flood disaster, no assistance has come to them from any government official, companies, philanthropists, individuals and organisations, describing it as an open neglect.
.They however thanked the management of the College led by the Provost, Dr. Emmanuel Ikenyiri, for providing some of the affected victims shelter in the College students hostels and some lecture halls, assembly halls, among others.

By: John Bibor

Environment

LWC, Julius Berger seek stronger coordination on Lagos infrastructure

Published

2 days 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

2 days 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

2 days 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.