Environment

IFC, stakeholders move for improved cold chain in Nigeria

Published

1 month ago

February 2, 2026

The Tide

The World Bank Group, together with the United Kingdom and other Cool Coalition stakeholders, has organised Nigeria Cooling Day to highlight challenges and solutions in the country’s cold chain sector.

The Tide source reports that the conference held at Marriott Hotel Ikeja recently.

TheTide reports that the demand is rising as the climate becomes hotter, but affordability and power supply issues limit access to air-conditioning and other cooling solutions.

Nigeria is a signatory to the Global Cooling Pledge, joining over 70 countries and 200 organisations that have pledged, among others, to reduce cooling-related GHG emissions by 68 per cent from 2022 to 2050, increase AC efficiency by 50 per cent. and bring cooling to underserved populations.

The International Finance Corporation, IFC,(a member of the World Bank Group), in the interactive workshop, highlighted how stakeholders can access resources by IFC and our partners.

At the sector-specific breakout sessions, participants were enlightened about some of the innovative solutions for cooling piloted around the world.

In her opening address, Ms Dahlia Khalifa, IFC Director West and Central Africa, reiterated the need to address cooling challenges and solutions in Nigeria.

She noted that cooling was indeed fundamental to climate adaptation, economic productivity, public health and overall economic development.

“With Nigeria’s current cooling challenge, more than 100 million Nigerians lack adequate access to cooling.

“This isn’t just about comfort of enjoying well air conditioned rooms but it is also about making sure that we are able to preserve food, have fresh food and vaccines that actually are potent.

“Two thirds of cooling related emissions already come from what we call emerging developing economies, without deliberate action, that share could exceed 80 per cent by the middle of the century.

“This means that places like Nigeria are at the centre of both the problem, but also the solution.

“We must rise to meet the cooling demand, and that will determine our economic resilience, our environmental future and our quality of life for decades to come.

According to her, the cooling market in developing economies is projected to grow from 300 million, where it is today, to double to 600 million by 2050.

“Adopting sustainable food pathways can unlock over $8 trillion in avoided costs by 2050.

“That is a massive way of saying that we save ourselves $8 trillion by implementing these technologies today, we save that money over the next 24 years.

“This is why we, at IFC, want to be part of that solution. We see this not just as a climate imperative, but we see it as an economic necessity.

“So, I would like to thank the UK Government, who is providing technical assistance and grant funding to pilot innovative technologies, where early stage risks still deter investment,” she said.

On her part, Ms Chau Tonnu, Senior Programme Manager and Policy Advisor UK Department for Energy Security and Net zero, reiterated the UK government support for advancing the cold chain sector in the country.

“Nigeria is setting the pace with strong economic momentum, rising demand for cooling, growing innovation and technology systems, and a strong commitment to climate action.

“With the National Cooling Action Plan and leadership across governments, states and businesses, Nigeria has shown us that cooling is not just an input from the nation, but an innovation and development opportunity.

“And it is because of this leadership that UK Government is so proud to welcome you. Against this backdrop, I want to highlight what UK Government is doing.

“Firstly, UK Government is committed to sharing leadership in sustainable development.

“Alongside Nigeria, UK was one of the first countries to deliver a cooling package and we continue to tackle the dual average of reducing cooling plate conditions whilst expanding access to the global cooling sector,” Tonnu said.

She noted that, “We are also investing in a programme like Cooling Exponential Climate Action, or COETECA, a venture-owned programme to support African-led tech implementation.

“These programmes matter, and Nigeria is at the forefront of the cooling challenge and that’s what this programme is about. We are pleased to say that this year’s programme is a whole and inventive build.

“When governments deliver climate innovation, they are not just profit-driven, they are for the whole of Africa and the world,” she said.

Operations Officer at IFC Country Advisory and Economic Unit, Mr Assadullah Nissar, also emphasised the need to address the cold chain gap in Nigeria.

“Heat directly affects all value chains of all sectors across the economy. When cooling fails, health system fails.

“When cooling is missing, food security is challenged. There is the weight of waste, spoilage, and lives when cooling missing.

“In the context of Nigeria, it is not just high temperatures that is a problem. It is also humidity. So we must address its cooling challenges,” Nissar said.

Environment

IWD: NGO promotes clean energy access for women in Kaduna

Published

3 days ago

March 9, 2026

The Tide

An NGO, Bridge That Gap Hope for Africa Initiative (BTG) has distributed energy-efficient cookstoves to women in Kaduna’s climate-impacted areas to promote clean energy use and climate resilience.

The intervention covered communities in Chikun, Zaria and Zango Kataf local government areas, forming part of activities marking the 2026 International Women’s Day.

The initiative was implemented under the Women Empowerment and Climate Resilient Initiative (WECRI) supported by the Partnership for Agile Governance and Climate Engagement (PACE) programme.

Gloria Bulus, BTG Executive Director, in a statement on Friday, said the project seeks to address desertification, promote energy-efficient technologies and support inclusive environmental governance.

Bulus said women and vulnerable groups were prioritised because they were often the most affected by climate change while playing key roles in household energy management and community adaptation.

According to her, the clean cookstoves will reduce indoor air pollution, lower household energy costs and cut charcoal consumption by more than 50 per cent.

She added that the technology would also reduce tree felling and help curb deforestation in affected communities.

Bulus noted that many women and girls spend long hours sourcing firewood, exposing them to health and environmental risks.

She explained that the intervention would ease that burden while allowing women to devote more time to productive and income-generating activities.

The organisation said the initiative aligns with the 2026 International Women’s Day theme, “Give to Gain,” which highlights the value of investing in women for stronger communities and environmental sustainability.

4th lead

NEMA sensitises Jos traders to market fire prevention measures

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), yesterday organised a one-day sensitisation workshop to promote fire safety measures and prevent frequent fire outbreaks in Jos markets.

In a speech, the Head of Operations, NEMA North Central, Mrs Bintu Wana, said the workshop was designed to sensitise traders to the practical steps to reduce market fires.

Wana explained that the workshop dwelt majorly on the common causes and prevention of market fires, basic first aid knowledge and the formation and training of Market Emergency Response Team.

According to her, market fire prevention and response call for a collective and coordinated effort to mitigate its effect.

She emphasised that early reporting of fire hazards and strict adherence to safety guidelines could significantly reduce the risk of dangerous and devastating market fires.

The Secretary, Plateau Traders Association, Chobe branch, Mr Raymond Ndukwu, thanked NEMA for organising the workshop for his members, describing it as timely and necessary.

Ndukwu promised that the association would work with NEMA and also help to cascade the knowledge acquired from the workshop to all its members.

He urged traders in the state to imbibe safety guidelines and also adopt better fire prevention practices.

The Tide source reports that the workshop was attended by representatives of the Plateau State Emergency Management Agency, Federal Fire Service and Red Cross Organisation, who educated traders on common causes of market fires and preventive measures.

The workshop is part of the agency’s ongoing effort to strengthen disaster preparedness and protect lives and property in major markets across Nigeria.

Environment

AEPB rates performance of waste evacuation contractors low

Published

3 days ago

March 9, 2026

The Tide

The Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB) has decried the low performance of the waste evacuation and cleaning contractors, engaged by the Federal Capital Territory Administration to keep Abuja clean.

The Director, Mrs Kate Ogbonna gave the assessment during an interactive session with the contractors in Abuja, yesterday.

Ogbonna said she was overwhelmed with unsavoury reports from the supervisors who monitor the daily performance of the cleaning and waste contractors.

According to her, routine checks by the Board have shown that the contractors are lagging in their task.

“The reports at my disposal from our supervisors, who monitor the performance of the contractors are not too good.”

She called on the contractors to brace up and ensure proper and efficient waste evacuation across the Federal Capital City.

She said that the FCT Minister, Mr Nyesom Wike, has been keeping his promise of paying the contractors on time, stressing that they, therefore, have no excuse not to deliver on the terms of agreement.

She acknowledged that there could be challenges, which were normal with every job, and advised the contractors to procure more equipment and engage more hands where necessary, to make their job easy and seamless.

The director reminded the contractors that they signed the contracts on grounds that they were capable, and assured them that the Board would assist where necessary.

Ogbonna explained that the meeting was to educate and guide the contractors on the full weight of their duties as waste managers and evacuators.

“We want them to know that there are standards and what we expect from them. We have set rules and agreements guiding their schedules.

“All we want is for the Federal Capital City to be clean,” she said.

Speaking on indiscriminate dumping of construction waste, the director said that the Board was working with the Department of Development Control to ensure that such waste were properly disposed of.

She appealed to residents and institutions doing businesses in the capital city to pay their waste and cleaning bills and procure the right size of waste bins commensurate with their residences and business offices.

She noted that waste removal and management was capital intensive, adding that residents need to do their part while the Board do its part.

“You cannot be owing and expect clinical waste removed.

“You cannot also have a bin meant for one household for a block of 10 flats and expect it to hold the waste you generate until the contractor’s trucks come around. It will definitely overflow and mess up the environment.

“To ensure Abuja capital city remains clean, devoid of pollution and epidemic free, all must do their part,” she said.

In his remarks, Mr Benjamin Enwerem, Director, Solid Waste Management, AEPB, said that some of the contractors have complained that most of the waste on the streets was being generated by night traders and funfare operators.

“These traders and funfare operators generate waste and litter the whole area, thereby, forming illegal waste dumps around residential and business areas.

“We have taken notice of this complaint and we will send our task force after them,” Enwerem said.

On the performances of the contractors, Enwerem said that although there were still lapses, the contractors were doing better by the day, noting that additional capable hands have been injected into the cleaning force.

On his part, Chairman, Association of Solid Waste Contractors, Mallam Ibrahim Babayo, acknowledged the unsatisfactory performance of the contractors and promised that they would improve.

Babayo also promised that the contractors would procure modern equipment and employ more hands to improve on routine evacuation of waste.

Environment

Lagos State Government Refuted Resumed Monthly Sanitation

Published

2 weeks ago

March 2, 2026

The Tide

The Lagos State Government on Saturday refuted an online media report claiming that the state had resumed the monthly environmental sanitation exercise.

The Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr Tokunbo Wahab, said no categorical statement had been made regarding the commencement date of the exercise.

Wahab explained that what he told newsmen after a project inspection tour last Sunday was that engagements with relevant stakeholders were still ongoing.

He said the state government had planned to begin with a sensitisation programme last week, but was constrained by logistics issues.

“The truth is, we were meant to start with a sensitisation programme last week, but we had a logistics issue. We need to find a day that is acceptable to all stakeholders,” he said.

He expressed optimism that the exercise might return very soon, adding that the official date would be communicated by the Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

The commissioner urged law-abiding residents to continue their lawful activities without hindrance, assuring them that adequate notice would be given before the exercise was reintroduced.

The monthly environmental sanitation, previously held on the last Saturday of every month between 7.00 a.m. and 10.00 a.m., was suspended in November 2016 following a legal pronouncement restricting movement during the exercise.

However, renewed waste management challenges, including clogged drainage channels and indiscriminate refuse disposal, have sparked calls from residents for its reinstatement.