Environment
Ex-NSE Boss Tasks Stakeholders On N’Delta Environment
A former chairman of the Nigeria Society of Engineers (NSE), Port Harcourt branch, Engr Asinyetogha Hilkiah Igoni has noted that disregard for the peculiarity of the Niger Delta environment is the bane of every agricultural mechanisation effort in the region.
Engr Igoni made the assertion while presenting a paper as the eminent lecturer during the 13th Annual Lecture and Award Ceremony 2018, titled “Understanding the Niger Delta Environment for Sustainable Agricultural Mechanisation,” held in Port Harcourt.
According to him, the Niger Delta environment has its peculiar features that distinguished it from others including those oil bearing communities and that these features predispose it to agriculture, adding that it is possible to successfully mechanise agriculture in the region in a sustainable manner.
He stated that Niger Delta environment is not all abuot oil and gas production and recalled that the President Muhammadu Buhari during a Green River Project Farmers Day in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State said, “Despite the oil and gas deposits, the Niger Delta region is blessed with one of the world largest wetlands with arable land for agriculture and has the capacity to become a domestic and international provider of agriculture produce,” stressing that the region was for greater things than its oil and gas deposits.
The engineering expert noted that several attempts made over the years for the development of agriculture in the region especially in Bayelsa, Delta and Rivers States have not yielded sustainable dividends to put the region on the pedestal of commercial agricultural practitioners.
“This may be attributed to the fundamental basis for the establishment of the agricultural venture or lack of focus,” he asserted and opined that engineers have the responsibility to design and develop machines to suit particular situations based on advances in technology.
Igoni maintained that for agriculture to be sustainable, it has to involve mechanisation while appropriateness of a machine for agriculture mechanisation in the Niger Delta regions has to consider the climate condition of the place, soil type, level of education and ergonomic factors.
The eminent lecturer however posited that several decades of oil and gas activities have not only ravaged the environment of the Niger Delta region, but have seriously disconfigured the orientation and socio-economic deposition of the people and alienated them from their traditional occupations, and further called for commitment and serious plans for sustainable agricultural development, establishment of research centres and companies to encourage agriculture in their award of scholarships among others.
Highlights of the day include awards deserving members of the society that excelled in service to the branch.
Collins Barasimeye
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.
