Environment
HOMEF Moves To Secure Environmental Justice …Trains Host Community People
Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF) has embarked on training oil host community members on methods of fostering a united front in seeking environmental justice from oil multinationals.
Following the divide-and-rule tactics often used by most International Oil Companies (IOCs), to evade the capability of environmental crimes, the organisation said it was imperative for communities to channel their focus on forming a solidarity front against such a plot.
Programme Manager of HOMEF, Stephen Oduwari, who spoke to newsmen in Eteo Community in Eleme Council Area of Rivers State, at the weekend, said the training was aimed at reflating on certain aspects of what community people should know for themselves so as to come together to push for a healthy, clean and deserving environment.
“ You will recall that there have been a series of oil spills in Eteo community and it calls for serious action. This is because most of these oil-ravaged communities pay a heavy price for oil exploration and exploitation. They pay with their health, and livelihoods because they have been bombarded from the air with gas flaring, from the land pollution in their farms and pollution in their water. So they have lost a lot. And this has reduced the life expectancy of people living in this region. So the idea is to build community power for resilience and in solidarity to amplify their voices,” he said.
Also, the coordinator of OilWatch Nigeria, Kentebe Ebiaridor, who noted the relevance of the training noted that in most communities in the Niger Delta, the IOCs employ the divide and rule tactics to cover up crimes, while expressing optimism that by such training the community members would stand together and kick against such ploy.
“We centre our discussion around solidarity – looking at how to strengthen community relationships among themselves and all ties of the community to see how the word solidarity can make meaning to them in their everyday lives. This, for us, is very important because it brings about unity in the community.”
One of the participants, Gabriel Kaa-Olowi, who spoke to our source said the capacity training will amplify their voice to demand justice, just as it has unravelled the dangers of being docile whenever there is a spillage.
He said: “Sometimes NNPCL pipelines do get busted may be due to mechanical malfunctioning or wearing out because we, as community people know that their facilities are manned by tight security, so I would not say they are vandalised. And when oil spills in our land and water, they secretly come to the community and seal up the leaking point and go without our knowledge. They do not make efforts to pay compensation, behaving as if nothing happened. So the training for us will help us to speak with one voice and help us hold these people responsible for their actions.”
Speaking on community responsibility,Ken Henshaw of “WE The PEOPLE’ said, every member of a community has a Responsibility towards anothers.
He said fighting for environment reparations in their communities cannot succeed without unity.
According to him, part of the responsibility of community members is being involved in decision making, adding that community responsibility helps to build strong bond for the overall development of the community.
The activist blamed disunity in various communities on the role of oil companies and descrimination on the sharing of community’s wealth.
Henshaw said, the event was to build community resistance to exploitation.
Also speaking Jacob Iniodu of Kebetkache Women Development And Resource Centre urged communities for development plans to drive development in communities
Iniodu said, needs assessment also enables community members to determine what they want.
According to him, responsibility of community people is to contribute to what can drive development in a community.
By: John Bibor
The Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) has issued a seven-day flood advisory, warning of a medium flood risk in 17 states between July 21 and July 27.
The agency said the alert followed rising water levels at key river monitoring stations, increasing the likelihood of localised flooding along river channels and floodplains.
NIHSA Director-General, Umar Mohammed, disclosed this in National Flood Advisory (Alert No. NFA-2026-200) issued on Tuesday.
He said the affected states are Adamawa, Bauchi, Benue, Borno, Edo, Gombe, Imo, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Kebbi, Nasarawa, Niger, Plateau, Taraba, Yobe and Zamfara.
According to Mohammed, river levels at Saminara on the Karam River, Waya Dam Site on the Waya River and Amber on the Amber River had exceeded watch and warning thresholds.
He said 16 gauging stations nationwide were recording elevated river stages, placing nearby communities at risk of localised flooding.
Mohammed urged state governments, local authorities and residents of flood-prone communities to take precautionary measures immediately.
NIHSA said Bauchi had the highest exposure, with 1,841 communities, 145 schools, 101 health facilities and eight markets identified as vulnerable.
The agency also identified vulnerable communities and public facilities in Edo, Imo, Kaduna, Plateau and Benue states.
Mohammed urged the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), State Emergency Management Agencies (SEMAs), local governments and community leaders to activate emergency response plans.
He recommended relocating residents, livestock and valuables from floodplains to safer locations
He also advised emergency agencies to pre-position food, medical supplies and water treatment materials in areas likely to be affected.
“The NIHSA boss called for community mobilisation through early warning volunteers and local communication channels to ensure timely dissemination of flood alerts.
He cautioned residents against walking, driving or riding through flooded roads, bridges and fast-flowing waterway.
A cleaner environment begins with collective responsibility. That commitment was evident across Umuahia on Saturday as thousands of residents turned out to participate in the July monthly environmental sanitation exercise, with officials describing the compliance level as one of the most encouraging in recent months.
The impressive turnout has renewed hope that Abia’s campaign for a cleaner and healthier environment is steadily becoming a culture rather than a routine exercise.
The July monthly environmental sanitation exercise in Umuahia recorded about 80% compliance.
The Abia State Ministry of Environment described the turnout as a strong indication that residents are embracing Governor Alex Otti’s vision for a cleaner, healthier and more sustainable environment, while calling for the establishment of Neighbourhood Environmental Watch groups to sustain the momentum.
The Abia State Government has commended residents of Umuahia for their impressive participation in the July monthly environmental sanitation exercise, describing the turnout as a strong indication that citizens are embracing the state’s campaign for a cleaner and healthier environment.
Speaking after monitoring the exercise across major parts of the Umuahia metropolis, the Permanent Secretary, Abia State Ministry of Environment, Mr. Ikechukwu Oriuwa, expressed satisfaction with the level of compliance and urged residents to sustain the momentum.
According to him, the success recorded during the exercise reflects growing public support for the environmental agenda of the Labour Party-led administration.
“I think, so far, so good. At this point, what we need to do is sustain the momentum. We should move forward with establishing a Neighbourhood Environmental Watch so that residents can monitor compliance and ensure the initiative is sustained,” he said.
Mr. Oriuwa further applauded both residents and the organisers for the success of the exercise.
“Well, I must say I am very impressed. I appreciate the organisers for putting this programme together. It has been highly impressive, and I believe participants have learnt a great deal. From what I have observed so far, everything has been well organised, and I think they are doing an excellent job. I encourage them to keep up the good work because programmes like this are beneficial to everyone,” he added.
The Permanent Secretary stressed that environmental sanitation should become a daily culture rather than an activity observed only on designated sanitation days.
Drawing from an Igbo proverb, he explained why communities must collectively protect their environment.
“An Igbo proverb says that a goat owned by the public often goes hungry. That is why establishing a Neighbourhood Environmental Watch is important. It will encourage residents to take collective responsibility for keeping their surroundings clean and ensuring that sanitation efforts are sustained.”
He also urged government agencies to strengthen enforcement by deploying environmental health officers to carry out routine inspections and ensure compliance with sanitation laws.
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