Connect with us

Environment

Disaster: Society Urges FG To  Prioritise Ecological Challenges Across 36 States

Published

4 months ago

on

The Nigeria Environmental Society (NES) has urged the Federal Government to prioritise ecological challenges across the country to safeguard lives and property against flood disasters.
Dr Efegbidiki Okobia, National President of the society, made the call in an interview with the Newsmen on Wednesday in Abuja.
Okobia, who described ecological issues as administrative challenge, was reacting to the burden of ecological challenge in the country and efforts of Ecological Project Office (EPO) in addressing the challenge.
He said the challenge had not received the desired attention from the Federal Government.
He appealed to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Sen. George Akume, to look at all ecological projects currently at his table and forward same to President Bola Tinubu for approval.
“Some of the projects are underground water issues and shore in Lagos, Delta; shore challenges in River State, Akwa-Ibom and all over the country.
“These projects are on his table; we should give them attention. It is time for the SGF to look at the issues. Government should be proactive in addressing ecological challenges.
“It is not political. It is for the betterment of the Nigerian people, and that is all that we deserve at this moment,” he said.
He added “we have a critical challenge as a country with regards to environmental issues.
“While we agree that ecological challenges are mostly common around the South-East, we find that environmental issues regarding ecological pollution, underground water and others, are across the geopolitical zones of Nigeria.
“It is unfortunate that projects on ecological challenges have not been given attention by the government of the day.
“There are funds available for ecological projects and government needs to give environmental issues more attention,” he said.
The president, who acknowledged funds allocated to EPO annually to cushion ecological challenges across board, cautioned that the environment would fight back at the country’s failure to ensure judicious utilisation of such funds.
According to him, once the environment fights back at us, whatever investments we are doing as a people, as a country, will be wasted at the end of the day.
He frowned at the growing pattern of flood incidents across the country leading to loss of lives, properties, health challenges and displaced families.
Okobia, who described the menace as a huge loss to the country, attributed the challenge to poor attention of the Federal Government to ecological challenges.
Okobia, who cited the Lagdo Dam issue from Cameroon specifically, said that the Federal Government and Cameroon reached an agreement in 1970s to construct the dam.
He, however, said “while Cameroon completed the Lagdo Dam project in 1982, Nigeria did not complete the building of Dasin Hausa Dam.
“We have had two scenarios of flood. A major flood incident in 2012 from the Lagdo Dam and in 2022 another major flood.
“We do not know when the next one will happen.
“So, this is just sheer negligence and the government not prioritising issues that have to do with the environment because the flood affected over 30 states and lives were lost, families were displaced.
“So, it is a huge loss to us as a country. We should be able to manage this appropriately.”
The president urged state governments to wake up to the realities of ecological challenges ravaging the country.
The Tide source reports that environmental experts have alerted to worsening environmental degradation in South-South region and urged all tiers of governments to ensure proper utilisation of ecological funds to address the growing crisis.
They attributed the region’s challenges to both natural and human activities.
The Tide source reports that more than N109.5 billion ecological fund was disbursed between July 2023 and December 2025 across the 36 states to mitigate ecological challenges particularly flooding.
Between 2022 and 2023, a total of N39.62 billion was disbursed among 36 states of the federation.
Efforts to reach the management of EPO on how ecological funds allocated to the office are being utilised proved abortive.
Print Friendly, PDF & Email
Related Topics:
Continue Reading

Environment

Lagos Begins Pump Installation At Iju, Akute Water Facilities

Published

1 week ago

on

August 3, 2026

By

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 corporation said the work formed part of an eight-month rehabilitation of the Iju and Adiyan Water Treatment Plants.
It said the rehabilitation programme commenced in February and is expected to be completed in October 2026.
The Managing Director of LWC, Mr Mukhtaar Tijani, said the project would replace critical pumping systems and other related infrastructure.
Tijani said the rehabilitation aligned with the corporation’s strategic business plan and the state government’s efforts to improve water infrastructure.
He urged contractors and other stakeholders involved in the project to ensure its timely completion.
“This project must not be business as usual.
“We want all hands on deck to ensure timely and successful delivery. Let this dream become a reality,” he said.
He said the rehabilitation would improve operational performance, reduce downtime and strengthen the reliability of water supply.
Tijani added that the project would increase water production and improve access to safe drinking water for millions of Lagos residents.
Print Friendly, PDF & Email
Continue Reading

Environment

FEMinWASH, OHCSF to partner On Gender-Responsive Systems Strengthening Initiatives

Published

1 week ago

on

August 3, 2026

By

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.

Print Friendly, PDF & Email
Continue Reading

Environment

Environmentalist Urges Rivers Govt. To Control Sand Mining

Published

1 week ago

on

August 3, 2026

By

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.

Print Friendly, PDF & Email
Continue Reading

Trending