Environment
Red Cross Recovers Five Corpses From River Niger
The Nigeria Red Cross Society said on Monday it had recovered three corpses washed ashore River Niger in Lokoja.
It also said that the corpses of two other male adults, swept away on Saturday night by the flood at Ajaokuta Local Government Area of Kogi, had been recovered
The Kogi branch Chairman of the society, Mr Mustafa Allah-Dey, who confirmed the recoveries to newsmen in Lokoja, said the bodies were recovered late Sunday evening.
He said that all the corpses were male adults and their sources were yet to be ascertained, adding that the attention of the society was drawn to the corpses by local fishermen.
Allah-Dey said the first three corpses might not be from Kogi, adding that they were likely to be among the passengers in a canoe that capsized in a community in Niger two days ago.
He said that the five bodies had since been buried, adding the recent discoveries brought to 11, the number of deaths recorded so far as a result of the flood.
He said that the flood was still devastating some parts of the state, describing the situation in Ibaji and Idah as becoming too precarious.
The chairman said that the situation had forced the National Inland Waterways Authority to release five additional boats for the rescue operations in Ibaji, where hundreds of people were endangered.
He said that the boats, in addition to the three released on Sunday by the organisation, had been deployed to Ibaji, Idah and other flood ravaged communities to rescue the victims.
Allah-Dey said some of the victims, who had taken refuge on tree tops since Saturday, had been brought down and relocated to the four camps in Idah.
Mohammed Garba, the state Sector Commander of the FRSC, said that no movement of vehicle was possible on the Lokoja-Abuja road for now.
“The water level is increasing, no movement for now, what we saw yesterday is not what we are seeing today, no movement is possible on the road now,’’ Garba said.
He said that the FRSC had no idea of when the road would be officially opened to traffic, and urged motorists to make use of alternative routes.
Meanwhile, some motorists have been struggling to find their ways through the road, in spite of the FRSC’s warning to stay off the road.
The Tide correspondent who visited NATAKO junction in Lokoja, observed that passengers simply took commercial motorcycles from the junction to Ukomi community, one of the areas where the water had flooded the road.
On getting to Ukomi, youths making brisk businesses out of the situation, usually ferried the passengers on canoe across to Banda at NI00 per passenger.
At Banda area, another group of youths ferried passengers across at N200 per person to Jamata, where they finally board vehicles going to Abuja, Kaduna, Zaria and other parts of the North.
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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