Environment
Confab:Clark Canvasses Pragmatic Approach To Environmental Pollution
An elder
statesman, Chief Edwin Clark, and some delegates at the ongoing National Conference have called for a pragmatic approach to tackle environmental challenges in the country.
The delegates made their positions known on Monday in Abuja while commenting on the report of the Conference Committee on Environment.
They underscored the urgent need for the development of the environment and the payment of compensation to communities that had suffered environmental pollution over the years.
Clark called for the cleaning of those areas, particularly communities in the Niger Delta region which had been polluted due to exploration activities.
“We, in the riverine areas, sit on drums of water but we have no water to drink or to cook.
“When I was young, all I needed to do was to put a plate or a pot inside water and fishes will come inside.
“Today, I observe that my people now eat iced fish, which was never known in our area before the exploration of oil.
“Even the mango trees that were very strong are all withering away; the ecosystem is bad; there is nothing we have in our area again, including farming.
“Recently Chevron equipment in the area got burnt and the fire went on for three months.
‘’Up till today, the host community affected has been begging Chevron to pay them some compensation,” he said.
Another delegate, Dr Abiola Akiyode, a delegate representing Civil Society Organisations, underscored the need to build the capacity of courts in the country, to properly handle environmental issues.
She equally proposed greater participation of women in the planning and management of issues concerning the environment.
“There is the need to build the capacity of our courts to handle environmental issues.
“I also propose greater participation of women and other key groups in the planning, management and preservation of the environment and sustainable use of natural resources at all levels,” she said.
On his part, Mr Godswill Iyoke, a delegate representing Christian leaders, called for the prohibition of indiscriminate sinking of boreholes because of its adverse effects on the soil.
“There should be prohibition of indiscriminate sinking of boreholes because of its adverse effect on boreholes.”
In the same vein, Dr Hannatu Ibrahim, a delegate representing Gombe State, said adequate attention should be paid to states, particularly Gombe State that faced problems of erosion and flooding.
“Gombe is one of the states faced with the problem of erosion, flood disaster and the resettling of refugees.
“This has added to maternal mortality rate because they are faced with diseases because of poor hygiene,’’ she said.
The Ministry of Environment on Thursday in Abuja, advanced its National Adaptation Plan (NAP) process, validating a comprehensive plan aimed at tackling climate-related challenges in the country.
The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Alhaji Mahmud Kambari, said this at the Stakeholders Consultative Workshop on the Development of the concept notes to the Green Climate Fund (GCF) for NAP in Nigeria.
Kambari, who was represented by Mrs Victoria Pwol, the Deputy Director in the Department of Climate Change (DCC) in the ministry, said that the workshop is a collective resolve to confront the realities of climate change with purpose, strategy, and coordinated action.
“Over the past years, the Federal Government of Nigeria, with crucial support from the Green Climate Fund (GCF) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), has made significant progress in advancing the NAP process.
“As a nation, we stand at a critical juncture where climate risks ranging from extreme weather events to environmental degradation continues to threaten our socio-economic stability, food systems, public health, infrastructure, and national development aspirations.
“Through extensive technical work, we have completed a Climate Risk Assessment across all geopolitical and agro-ecological zones, developed an Economic Appraisal, an Adaptation Finance Strategy, and a robust Monitoring and Evaluation Framework.”
Kambari said that these foundational elements now guide Nigeria to identify priority adaptation needs and investment opportunities.
“Let me mention that we are at the tail end of this NAP Formulation Process and looking forward to the implementation phase.
“This workshop therefore serves as a strategic purpose to harmonise perspectives across key MDAs; refine project ideas into strong, evidence-based concept notes.
“It will ensure that proposed interventions align with national priorities and the investment criteria of the GCF and position Nigeria to competitively access the resources required to strengthen resilience across vulnerable sectors,” he said.
Dr Iniobong Abiola-Awe, the Director DCC in the Ministry said that the engagement would enhance achievements by collaboratively developing bankable, climate-resilient concept notes that align with national priorities and meet the GCF’s investment requirements.
Abiola-Awe who was represented by Dr Jonah Barde in the Ministry said that the workshop represented an important step in Nigeria’s ongoing efforts to strengthen climate resilience.
She added that the workshop would advance sustainable development, and mobilise the climate finance needed to safeguard Nigeria’s communities, ecosystems, and economy from the growing impacts of climate change.
Effective communication, transparency, and science-based risk assessments are the cornerstones of Nigeria’s approach to Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs).
Mr Bello Bwari, the Director-General, National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA), gave the assurance during a media interaction in Abuja on Friday.
“Where there is communication, you reduce conflict. Effective communication is key, effective engagement with stakeholders is paramount and key to making Nigeria better.
Bwari said anti GMO’s critics keep participants and practitioners on their toes.
“We value them and we expect that their criticisms, suggestions and recommendations will make our operations in the entire spectrum better.
“Where we are not doing so well, we will hear from them, where we can advance explanations, we will advance explanations. Where they are not doing well, we will tell them. We will not run away from doing that.
“But I want to assure you that we are bold enough to face anybody who is not fact-based,” he said.
He reassured that sometime before the end of the second quarter of 2026 there would be a retreat where all stakeholders would be invited.
“And also, the impact we are bringing is going to be measurable by the end of 2026. And going forward, what we do by the end of 2026 will form the basis of our five-year plan.
“There’s a five-year plan which will start at the end of 2026. So, I enjoin the media to please report what you know as a matter of fact, not as a matter of opinion.
“We all have different opinions, but some of our opinions are not facts. From the quality of what I see on papers, reportage, I think largely I’m impressed with what the press is doing in Nigeria so far,” he said.
Bwari stated that Nigerians deserved to understand what NBMA regulates, why they regulate it, and how decisions were made.
“Part of my focus going forward will be strengthening engagement with the media, researchers, policymakers, and the public because regulation works best when it is understood.
“We are not promoters of any technology, and we are not opponents of innovation. We are regulators.
“But at its core, biosafety is about prevention, caution, and preparedness. It is about ensuring that innovation does not outpace safety, and that national development never compromises public health or environmental integrity,” he said.
He promised to uphold the law without fear or favour, communicate more clearly with the public and ensure that every regulatory decision was transparent, evidence-based, and accountable
“NBMA is not an advocacy agency. Our duty is to assess risks, enforce safeguards, and ensure compliance with national and international biosafety standards.I also want to emphasise that public trust matters.
He further urged the media to help Nigerians understand biosafety and biosecurity in a better way.
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