Environment
Climate Change: Water Scarcity ’ll Displace 700m By 2030 -Commissioner
With the current climate scenerio around the world, and reliable water supply sources pumping away through flood, droughts and natural disaster, it has been predicted that water scarcity would displace between 24million to 70million people by 2030.
This is even as three out of ten people in Nigeria do not have clean water close to them, thereby putting them under constant threat from waterborne diseases like Cholera and the likes.
Rivers State Commissioner for Water Resources and Rural Development, Prof. Kaniye Ebeku stated this while presenting his keynote address at the World Water Day celebration with the theme ‘Accelerating Change To Solve The Water And Sanitation Crisis’, in Portharcourt, last Wednesday.
Ebeku who noted that the climate was changing at an alarming rate explained that more frequent and extreme flooding was polluting fragile water sources and longer droughts drying up springs, stating that this has made it even harder for the world’s poorest people to get clean water.
According to him, the Sustainable Development Goal(SDG) No.6 as established by the UN General Assembly in 2015, was about ‘Clean Water and Sanitation for all’ with the sixth outcome targeting safe and affordable water.
The Commissioner said “findings from WHO and UN-Water’s Global Analysis and Assessment of Sanitation and Drinking-Water(GLAAS), report shows that acceleration is needed in many countries to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6 -water and sanitation for all by 2030″.
With barely seven years left, Ebeku expressed fears that the more the climate changes with flooding, droughts and other natural disasters, the more challenging it becomes to hit the 2030 deadline.
“Dire consequences of climate change and extreme weather events bring more attention to the issues, underlining an urgent need for a whole-of society approach and global cooperation to act together”, Ebeku said.
While noting that the GLAAS 2022 report showed that countries making progress demonstrated high level of political commitment and investments in improving safe Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) systems, Ebeku stressed the need for the Nigerian government to take a queue for the achievement of safe and affordable water for it’s citizens.
He further called on the government and stakeholders to scale up support for WASH service delivery through strengthened governance, financing, monitoring, regulation and capacity development.
By: Lady Godknows Ogbulu
The National Orientation Agency (NOA) on Thursday, launched an awareness campaign, aimed at educating residents on the increasing impact of climate change.
The campaign also seeks to enlighten residents on the urgent need for personal and community protection measures.
During the launch in Uyo on Thursday, the Akwa Ibom Director of NOA, Mr Mkpoutom Mkpoutom, said that the campaign aims at enlightening residents, about the changes in weather patterns.
He said that this includes unpredictable rise in temperatures, and how these changes threaten public health across the state.
Mkpoutom noted that the current weather was not harmattan, but an extreme form of air pollution, which is harmful to health as it could cause oxidative stress which affects body balance.
“Our environment is changing rapidly, and the effects are evident in the disruptions faced by our communities.
“It is paramount that every citizen of Akwa Ibom understands these changes and take necessary steps to protect themselves, their families, and their livelihoods,” he said.
He appealed to citizens to take the following precautions which include wearing of nose mask, drinking sufficient water, covering of food and water to keep away dust, washing fruits thoroughly before eating, among others.
He directed all NOA structures within the state to engage with local communities through town hall meetings and collaboration.
He also urged engagement with schools and community leaders, to disseminate vital information on early warning signs, as well as safety protocols during extreme weather conditions.
The Chairman of Epe Local Government Area of Lagos State, Ms Surah Animashaun, has urged traders of Aiyetoro and Oluwo fish markets to consistently ensure a hygienic trading environment.
She urged the traders to maintain cleanliness and observe proper environmental sanitation in the markets.
Animashaun said this during a visit to some of the market areas in Epe on Saturday.
She said that clean markets were critical to public health.According to her, poor sanitation could lead to the outbreak of communicable diseases, especially in fish markets, where waste management must be handled with extra care.
The council chairman urged traders to dispose of refuse appropriately, avoid indiscriminate dumping of waste, and ensure regular cleaning of stalls and surroundings
She noted that environmental hygiene is a collective responsibility, adding that everyone should be involved in this development.
Animashaun also warned that the local government would not hesitate to enforce existing environmental laws, including sanctions against defaulters.
She assured traders of the council’s commitment to providing adequate waste disposal facilities and regular monitoring to sustain a clean and healthy market environment.
The council boss also urged traders to desist from selling by the roadside, so as to avoid accidents, noting that several motor accidents had occurred along the Aiyetoro market area.
“We, therefore, urge traders to stop selling on the roadside,” she said.
President, Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Mrs Margaret Oguntala, has inaugurated the construction of 18 units residential terrace in highbrow Alausa area of Lagos toward bridging the nation’s shelter gap.
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