Environment
Disasters: Consultant Scores Agencies Low
With environment experts still overwhelmed on how well the environment could be brought back to shape after the last devastating flood, a management consultant in Rivers State, Chief Waris Ali, has scored the various environmental agencies low.
Chief Ali who bared his mind on the contentious issue in an exclusive interview with our correspondent over the weekend at a public function in Owerewere Emughan, Abua, said “to my mind, most of these agencies and organisations were busy struggling on how to share funds.”
He said Nigeria was a country that was blessed and that natural disasters don’t happen frequently.
He said each time there was a problem “we’re always left gasping for breath with feeling of frustration.
He was of the opinion that if we do not manage our problems adequately, the international community would not take us to be a serious nation.
Chief Ali said that all the environment and disaster management agencies including the various NGOs should come together and consult with one another and put forward a proper plan.
According to him, the agencies should be able to recognise the situation on ground, to look at remedial actions and thirdly consider what should be done in preventing further occurrence.
He said even when it has occurred like the last flooding, appropriate action should be taken to see that the farmers and the environment do not suffer unduly.
He said it was not enough for NEMA, the Federal Ministry of Environment among others to have bought a few items like mattresses and other accessories.
He further said that the huge sum made available to the agencies was a far cry from what they usually provide at emergencies.
“It is known that over the years Nigeria has voted billions of naira for emergency purposes, “they will claim to have bought a few items like food and some blankets among them” he said.
According to him in the recent flooding despite the relief efforts put in place, it was evident that food prices has soared.
“Right now garri is as high as N3000 per basis and plantain is hard to come by at our markets” he lamented.
He said there was need for a proper Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) done to ascertain the level of environmental damage the flood may have caused.
In a chat with our correspondent at his country home Aminigboko in Emughen Clan of Abua/Odual local government area of the State, Mr Charles Melly-Osila said forecasts should be taken seriously because by last flooding according to him was accurately forecast.
He warned that recent forecast has also revealed that there would be another flooding this year.
He advised that now that the flood has come and gone with the attendant damages, what should be done now was the processes of restoring the environment.
“You talk about the dams that were let loose or broken “you talk about the repairs of such dams” even as he said there were plans by the Federal government to build more dams.
He added that the process should be hastened so that excess water would be successfully diverted when the rains fully returns.
This he said would ensure proper channeling of excess water.
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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