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Food security: Govt restates commitment to improve rural access, agricultural marketing

Michael Simire
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Food security: Govt restates commitment to improve rural access, agricultural marketing

The Federal Government of Nigeria has reiterated its commitment to scale up rural access and agricultural marketing through the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP).

Aliyu Abdullahi
Sen. Aliyu Abdullahi, Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security

Sen. Aliyu Abdullahi, Minister of State, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, stated this at the 8th Joint World Bank and French Development Agency Implementation Support Mission on Monday, January 3, 2025, in Abuja.

He said that the agricultural sector was a foundation of Nigeria’s economic growth and the sustenance of the country’s communities.

“It (Agriculture) is not merely a means of livelihood for millions of our citizens; it is a catalyst for job creation, food security, and sustainable development.

“Our commitment to transforming this sector is unwavering, particularly in fostering initiatives that enhance rural access and marketing.

“Not only agricultural commodities but moving people closer to life’s necessities such as education, health and other social amenities within our communities,” he said.

Abdullahi said that the project was already playing a critical role in addressing two of the priority areas identified by President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

He said these areas included boosting agriculture to achieve food security, and enhancing infrastructure and transportation as enablers of growth.

“In order to boost agriculture for food security, RAAMP addresses the critical need for improved agricultural practices and market access.

“By enhancing rural infrastructure, including roads, mini-storage facilities, and marketplaces, the project directly impacts the ability of farmers to reach broader markets,” he said.

The minister said that RAAMP was pivotal in developing rural road networks essential for facilitating the transportation of goods and services.

He said that poor road conditions often hindered farmers’ ability to transport their products to market, resulting in decreased income and economic instability.

“By focusing on road construction and rehabilitation, RAAMP aims to enhance connectivity among rural communities and urban markets, lowering transportation costs and facilitating the flow of agricultural goods.

“This means more efficient supply chains and the ability for farmers to engage in larger and competitive markets,” he said.

Abdullahi said that RAAMP is championing an innovative policy reform initiative that proposes the establishment by law, two critical agencies, Rural Access Road Authority (RARA) and the State Road Fund (SRF).

He said that the proposed RAAMP Scale-up project initiative is focused on the construction of climate-resilient infrastructure.

“One of these is the high cost of the rural road assets. This project is open to all 36 States and the FCT.

“By expanding our reach to cover the 36 states and FCT, we aim to create a more inclusive and prosperous agricultural sector that leaves no community behind,” Abdullahi said.

“It is also with the ambitious target of improving the livelihoods of millions of Nigerians through the construction of 10,075 kilometres of roads, 1,040 meters of cross-drainage structures.

“To date, 2,743km of rural roads have been awarded by the states and are currently under different phases of implementation,” he said.

“We remain committed to working alongside all stakeholders to develop policies and programmes that enable the participation of smallholder farmers in the agricultural marketplace,” Abdullahi said.

In a remark, Rakeesh, Tripathi, Task Team Lead (TTL), World Bank, expressed the organisation’s  readiness to continue to support the project as well as mobilise expertise.

“We will continue putting our efforts and continue to try to see how we can have an added value, especially in agricultural markets,” he said.

Tripathi was represented by Sali Ibrahim, Project Manager, French Development Agency.

Mr Bukar Musa, Director, Project Coordination Unit, Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, said the meeting aimed to brainstorm and proffer solutions to challenges.

He said that the cost of transportation was a major challenge to access markets in the country.

“We want to have a perfect road for our farmers to convey their farm produce.

“We want to make the markets available and conducive, so that farmers would find it easier to convey their farm produce from their various farms,” he said.

He expressed optimism that this would manifest in the drastic reduction of food prices in the country.

By Doris Esa

HEDA joins NiMet, stakeholders to unveil 2025 Seasonal Climate Prediction

Michael Simire
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HEDA joins NiMet, stakeholders to unveil 2025 Seasonal Climate Prediction

The Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA Resource Centre) is set to participate in the unveiling of the 2025 Seasonal Climate Prediction (SCP) by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) on Tuesday, February 4, 2025. The event, themed “The Role of Early Warnings towards a Climate Resilient Aviation Industry for Sustainable Socio-Economic Development”, is expected to deliver critical insights into Nigeria’s climatic future.

Prof. Charles Anosike
NiMet Director-General, Prof. Charles Anosike

Whereas the NiMet’s SCP is critical for the smooth running of the aviation sector, it is important to note that it is even more critical for other sectors such as agriculture, health, environment, construction, transportation, and maritime, etc. Moreover, due to the climate-dependent nature of agriculture in Nigeria and Africa, timely and reliable climate forecasts are essential for food production and hunger eradication.

For years, HEDA Resource Centre has leveraged NiMet’s annual SCP to conduct downscale training for farmers across Nigeria. These trainings equip farmers with essential information on how and when to plant their crops to avoid losses due to adverse weather conditions, droughts, and floods. The SCP provides vital forecasts, including the onset and cessation dates of the rainy season, expected rainfall volume, and temperature patterns, which are crucial for guiding agricultural practices and ensuring food security.

NiMet’s SCP is a comprehensive climate prediction document that not only benefits agriculture but also impacts various sectors such as aviation, disaster risk management, health, and water resources management. The socioeconomic implications of these forecasts highlight the importance of early warnings in adapting to climate change and building resilience.

HEDA commends the Director General/Chief |Executive Officer of NiMet, Prof. Charles Anosike, and his entire team for the annual and timely release of climate data that are critical for food production, public health management and economic diversification.

Power sector: Govt prioritises metering, debt reduction, protection of most vulnerable Nigerians

Michael Simire
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Power sector: Govt prioritises metering, debt reduction, protection of most vulnerable Nigerians

 It has become necessary to clarify media reports suggesting an imminent 65 percent increase in electricity tariffs.

Olu Arowolo Verheijen
Olu Arowolo Verheijen, Special Adviser to the President on Energy

This is a misrepresentation of what I actually said in a recent press interview. I highlighted the fact that, following the increase in Band A tariffs in 2024, current tariffs now cover approximately 65 percent of the actual cost of supplying electricity, with the Federal government continuing to subsidise the difference.

Also, while the government is indeed committed to ensuring fairer pricing over the long term, the immediate focus is on taking decisive action to deliver more electricity to Nigerians, ensure fewer outages, and guarantee the protection of the poorest and most vulnerable Nigerians.

In line with these, the Federal Government’s power sector priorities include:

Presidential Metering Initiative (PMI)

One of the most significant steps in this reform is the Presidential Metering Initiative, which is accelerating the nationwide rollout of 7 million prepaid meters, starting this year.

This will finally put an end to the practice of estimated billing, giving consumers confidence in what they are paying for and ensuring transparency in electricity charges.

Metering will also improve revenue collection across the sector and will attract the investments needed to strengthen Nigeria’s power infrastructure.

Targeted Electricity Subsidies

Today, the Federal Government spends over ₦200 billion per month on electricity subsidies, but much of this support benefits the wealthiest 25 percent of Nigerians rather than those who truly need assistance.

To address this, the Federal Government is working towards a targeted subsidy system to ensure that low-income households receive the most support. This approach will make electricity more affordable and accessible for millions of hardworking families.

Settlement of Legacy Power Debt

Furthermore, the Federal Government is addressing one of the major roadblocks to improved service, the mounting debts owed to power generation companies.

For years, these debts have prevented investments in new infrastructure and hampered efforts to improve electricity supply.

By clearing these outstanding obligations, the government is ensuring that power companies can reinvest in better service delivery, stronger infrastructure, and a more stable electricity supply for all Nigerians.

Reducing Costs for Alternative Power Generation

Through a range of fiscal incentives, including VAT and Customs Duty Waivers, the Federal Government is working to lower the cost of alternative power sources such as Compressed Natural Gas and Liquified Petroleum Gas.

The government fully understands the economic realities facing citizens and is committed to ensuring that reforms in the power sector lead to tangible improvements in people’s daily lives.

Every policy is designed with the Nigerian people in mind – eliminating unfair estimated billing, ensuring that subsidies benefit the right people, and creating the conditions for stable, affordable electricity.

These reforms are laying the foundation for better service delivery, expanded access to electricity for homes and businesses, and unlocking prosperity for all Nigerians.

By Olu Arowolo Verheijen @OluVerheijen, Special Adviser to the President on Energy

Two Nigerians among authors selected for IPCC Special Report on Climate Change and Cities

Michael Simire
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Two Nigerians among authors selected for IPCC Special Report on Climate Change and Cities

Two Nigerian Professors – Ibidun Adelekan and Aliyu Barau – are among the 97 experts from 56 countries selected by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) to participate in preparing the Special Report on Climate Change and Cities as Coordinating Lead Authors, Lead Authors and Review Editors. Both Nigerians are Lead Authors.

Jim Skea
Jim Skea, IPCC Chair

An Associate Professor of Geography at the University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Oyo State, Adelekan’s areas of research interests are human dimensions of global environmental change (including climate change), climate and society, disaster risk reduction, vulnerability and resilience. She is assigned to Chapter 2 of the Report.

A Professor of Urban and Regional Planning at the Bayero University, Kano in Kano State, Barau is the Dean of the Faculty of Earth and Environmental Sciences, and the West Africa Hub Director of the Urban Climate Change Research Network (UCCRN), affiliated with the Earth Institute, Columbia University. He is assigned to Chapter 5 of the Report.

The IPCC initiative marks the beginning of the drafting process for this Special Report, which will be the first report delivered by the IPCC in the seventh assessment cycle. Its release is scheduled for March 2027. Selected authors and review editors will work on developing the report based on the outline agreed by the Panel during its 61st Session held in Sofia, Bulgaria from July 27 to August 2, 2024.

The Special Report on Climate Change and Cities will provide a timely assessment of the latest science related to climate change and cities, including climate impacts and risks, as well as adaptation and mitigation solutions that can be taken to minimise them. Today, more than half of the world’s population is already living in urban areas, a proportion that is expected to further increase by 2050.

“The IPCC Special Report on Climate Change and Cities is a call to action for all of us to harness the full potential of our cities in tackling climate change, ensuring that they are resilient, inclusive and sustainable for generations to come. We look forward to the insights that our chosen experts will bring to develop a robust and actionable report,” said Winston Chow, Co-Chair of Working Group II.

The Bureau Members of all three IPCC Working Groups carefully considered all nominations and developed the final list of authors and review editors. The selection was undertaken according to the Principles Governing IPCC Work, which has considered the required scientific, technical and socio-economic expertise, geographical and gender balance, and the inclusion of experts with and without previous IPCC experience.

“The selection of the authors for this Special Report is an important step in its production, a leap from the Panel’s decision nine years ago to include it in the IPCC’s seventh assessment cycle.

“We are inspired by the strong support from the scientific community worldwide wanting to contribute to this IPCC Special Report, as evidenced by the large number of nominations for Lead Authors and Review Editors, and also by the growing body of scientific literature and interest surrounding climate change and cities,” said Joy Pereira, Co-Chair of Working Group III.

The 97 experts that will undertake the assessment were selected from 1,201 nominations submitted by IPCC’s national focal points and observer organisations. Of the selected experts, 53 per cent are women and 54.6 per cent come from developing countries and economies in transition. Nearly a third are new to the IPCC process.

The overall number of nominations confirms a robust and growing interest of the global scientific community in support for the IPCC and its work.  Interested experts can contribute as an Expert Reviewer during the review of this Special Report. Another call will be launched for experts to register for the Expert Review of the First Order Draft of the Special Report on Climate Change and Cities that will take place in the second half of 2025.

Nnimmo Bassey: For the defense of our ocean and human rights

Michael Simire
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Nnimmo Bassey: For the defense of our ocean and human rights

We gather today to consider the state of our ocean – not as a commodity to be exploited, but as a common good that sustains life, livelihoods, our culture and spirituality. Our oceans are under siege, and the communities that depend on them bear the brunt of pollution, displacement, and human rights abuses.

Nnimmo Bassey
Nnimmo Bassey

Across the coastline of Nigeria, community folks are being forced from their territories, deprived of their resources and left to grapple with the consequences of laxly regulated natural resource exploitation.

The economic forces driving this destruction prioritise profit over people, extracting resources beyond the ocean’s capacity, and leave behind a trail of ecological devastation. The infrastructure of Nigeria’s economy begins at our shorelines and extend to the deep waters where resources are extracted – and coastal communities who bear the pressures from the land and the sea remain trapped in poverty.

We cannot ignore the countless oil well blowouts that have polluted our waters: Akaso Well 4, Atanba, Bonny Terminal, Buguma Wellhead 008, Santa Barbara, and the ongoing inferno at Ororo Oil Well 1 at Awoye, Ondo State, which has been raging for close to five years now, among others. These disasters are ecological crimes that contribute to climate instability, and a worsening scarcity of land and water, placing entire communities and livelihoods at risk.

We live with the struggles of fishermen and women who set out each day with their nets and baskets, only to find empty waters – enclosed and sacrificed for industrial dredging, multinational oil companies and corporate fishing. A Community like Aiyetoro with its history of well organised governance and industrial strides is now a ghost of its former self, bashed and washed by unrelenting waves and left to grapple with unrelenting impacts of global warming and possibly heading for complete displacement unless we act.

We acknowledge the plight of Makoko’s communities, whose rights to housing, food, and health have been trampled by forces that would be happy to have the people displaced so the waterfront can be grabbed by speculators. Overall, the destruction of marine biodiversity disproportionately affects fishing communities, making them the most vulnerable to environmental degradation.

Our fight to defend the ocean is inseparable from the fight for human rights and justice. We must resist the unchecked advances of transnational polluters in our ocean and demand accountability. We must protect our biodiversity, our land, and our water from the destructive forces of exploitative capitalism seeking to privatise the commons. It is time to rethink our relationship with nature – to take only what can be replenished and respect the delicate balance that sustains us all.

Governments must act – not as enablers of destruction, but as stewards of the environment, ensuring that decisions about natural resources are made with the full participation of the communities who rely on them. Nigeria has signed so many conventions and treaties regarding the wellbeingof marine ecosystems. We even have designated Marine Protected Areas whose protection is disputable. Our constitution may be said to have a tilt towards ensuring the right to life, but there can be no right to life without the right to a safe environment.

This workshop is more than a gathering – it is a platform for us all as oceanographers, marine scientists, government agencies, civil society organisations, and community leaders to reflect, strategise, and commit to the urgent task of defending our ocean. Coming on the heels of the International Wetlands Day, we use this opportunity to take a stand against so-called land reclamation which should rightly be named aquatic ecosystems conversion and grabbing. We have seen wetlands and dependent economies destroyed by urbanisation and diverse speculators.

We are also seeing swaths of the ocean and public beaches being converted into fenced housing estates or so-called superhighways. These disregard the fact that the state of the ocean directly affects the climate, reflects on the quality of our lives and the capacity of the Earth to maintain her cycles and support all beings.

Let us seize this moment to build a future where our ocean is protected, our rights are upheld, and our communities thrive.

Nnimmo Bassey’s Opening Comments at the State of the Ocean Workshop held at the NIOMR on Monday, February 3, 2025

Oando reports 45% growth in revenue to N4.1tr in FY 2024 results

Michael Simire
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Oando reports 45% growth in revenue to N4.1tr in FY 2024 results

Oando PLC, Africa’s leading integrated energy company listed on both the Nigerian Exchange Grpup (NGX) and Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE), announced a strong financial performance for the Full Year (FY) 2024 with a 45% growth in revenue to N4.1 trillion compared to N2.9 trillion in FY 2023 results.

Wale Tinubu
Group Chief Executive, Oando PLC, Wale Tinubu

The company’s 2024 performance showcases a consistent upward trajectory following its announcement of N65.5 billion in profit after tax.

Speaking on the results, Group Chief Executive, Oando PLC, Wale Tinubu CON, commented, “2024 was a year of transformation for Oando, the key highlight being our successful acquisition and subsequent integration of NAOC Ltd, which significantly enhanced our production capacity, attaining peak operated production of 103,206boepd and net entitlements of 45,000 boepd.

“Despite a challenging operating environment, we achieved a 45% increase in revenue to ₦4.1 trillion, reflecting the strength of our business model, and a 9% rise in profit after tax to ₦65.5 billion, notwithstanding the costs associated with the onboarding of NAOC.” 

Oando’s production for the 12 months ended December 31, 2024, averaged 23,911 barrels of oil equivalent per day (boe/d), an increase from the 23,258 boe/d achieved in 2023. This growth was primarily driven by the acquisition of an additional 20% stake in the NAOC JV in Q4, partially offset by production disruptions due to shut-in wells resulting from sabotage activities.

Additionally, the Group incurred $18.1 million on capital expenditures related to the development of oil and gas assets and exploration and evaluation activities, compared to $52.3 million in the twelve months to December 31, 2023.

Looking ahead to 2025, Tinubu stated, “In 2025, our priority shall be to drive cost optimization, operational efficiency, streamline processes, enhance procurement, and leverage technology to improve productivity across our operations. In parallel, we will intensify efforts to boost production through the dual approach of rig-less and workover initiatives while executing an aggressive drilling program across three rig lines.

“Simultaneously, in collaboration with other stakeholders, we are proactively tackling above-ground security challenges by implementing a revamped security framework that integrates advanced surveillance technology and intelligence-driven initiatives to curb the perennial, unnecessary, and unjustifiable theft of oil to ensure the long-term integrity of our vast network.

“As we look ahead to an exciting and successful 2025, we recognize that achieving our goals requires the unwavering support of our host communities and partners. Through extensive engagement, we will foster a collaborative ecosystem that not only secures our operations but also drives shared prosperity and sustainable development for all.”

As the company prepares for its 2025 targets, it is bolstered by optimistic oil demand predictions. The U.S. Energy Information Administration’s (EIA) global oil demand predictions forecast global demand to grow by 1.3 million barrels per day (bpd) in 2025, a significant increase from the estimated growth of 0.9 million b/d in 2024. This projected growth surpasses the pre-pandemic 10-year average (2010-2019) of 1.5 million bpd, indicating a positive trajectory for the global oil market.

With this announcement, Oando enters 2025 on a strong foundation. The announcement brings the company up to date on its financial reporting, successfully meeting all regulatory requirements. Notwithstanding the operational realities, Oando is positioned to build on the momentum of a successful 2024 committed to its strategic vision of becoming Africa’s first international oil company (IOC) by leveraging its strong operational capabilities and strategic partnerships to deliver value to its stakeholders.

Nigeria on alert as Uganda confirms Ebola outbreak

Michael Simire
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Nigeria on alert as Uganda confirms Ebola outbreak

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has placed the country on high alert following the confirmation of an Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) outbreak in Uganda.

Dr Jide Idris
Director-General of NCDC, Dr Jide Idris

Dr Jide Idris, the Director‐General, said this on Sunday, February 2, 2025, in an interview in Abuja.

The EVD is a rare but severe illness caused by viruses of the genus Ebolavirus.

First identified in 1976 near the Ebola River in what is now the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the disease has led to multiple outbreaks across Africa.

Ebola spreads to humans through close contact with the blood, secretions, organs, or other bodily fluids of infected animals such as fruit bats, chimpanzees, gorillas, monkeys, forest antelope, and porcupines.

Human-to-human transmission occurs via direct contact with bodily fluids of infected individuals, contaminated surfaces, or materials like bedding and clothing.

Healthcare workers and family members are particularly at risk when caring for infected patients without proper protective measures.

Idris said that although the country has no reported cases of Ebola, the agency, in collaboration with key stakeholders, has activated heightened surveillance measures to prevent importation of the virus into the country.

He said that the outbreak, caused by the Sudan strain of the virus, was confirmed by Uganda’s Ministry of Health on January 30, 2025, with one reported case and one death in Wakiso, Mukono, and Mbale City in Mbale District.

“Ugandan health authorities are currently tracking 44 contacts to curb further spread,” he said.

He disclosed that, in response to the development, the NCDC has: “Updated its EVD emergency contingency plan. Increased screening at points of entry, particularly international airports.

“Optimised diagnostic capacity for EVD testing in designated laboratories and mobilised Lassa fever testing laboratories, which can be scaled up for Ebola testing if needed.”

The Director General of NCDC assured Nigerians that proactive steps were being taken to mitigate any risk of an outbreak.

“While there is no immediate cause for panic, we must remain vigilant. The Ebola Sudan strain has no approved vaccine, making early detection and containment critical,” he said.

He urged Nigerians to adhere to the following preventive measures: “Practice good hand hygiene – Wash hands regularly with soap and water or use hand sanitisers.

“Avoid contact with persons showing symptoms such as fever, weakness, vomiting, and unexplained bleeding.

“Refrain from consuming bushmeat, especially bats and primates.

“Seek immediate medical attention if experiencing symptoms after travelling to an affected country.”

Additionally, he advised health workers to maintain a high index of suspicion, use personal protective equipment (PPE), and report suspected cases immediately.

While the World Health Organisation (WHO) has not recommended travel restrictions, he advised Nigerians to avoid non-essential travel to countries with confirmed Ebola cases.

“Travelers returning from affected countries in the last 21 days with symptoms such as fever, sore throat, vomiting, or unexplained bleeding should immediately call the NCDC toll-free number (6232) or their State Ministry of Health hotline,” he advised.

Beyond Ebola, he said that the country is currently battling outbreaks of Lassa fever, meningitis, diphtheria, Mpox, measles, and anthrax.

He reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to strengthening surveillance and response efforts across the country.

“Nigerians are encouraged to stay informed and follow official updates from the NCDC through its hotline (6232), social media platforms (@NCDCgov), and official website,” he added.

The incubation period ranges from two to 21 days. Initial symptoms include sudden onset of fever, fatigue, muscle pain, headache, and sore throat.

As the disease progresses, individuals may experience vomiting, diarrhoea, rash, impaired kidney and liver function, and in some cases, both internal and external bleeding.

Laboratory findings often show low white blood cell and platelet counts and elevated liver enzymes.

Ebola is often fatal, with case fatality rates varying from 25 per cent to 90 per cent in past outbreaks, depending on factors such as the virus strain and the effectiveness of response efforts.

The average case fatality rate is around 50 per cent.

Effective outbreak control relies on a combination of interventions, including case management, surveillance and contact tracing, good laboratory service, safe burials, and social mobilization.

Community engagement is key to successfully controlling outbreaks.

Raising awareness of risk factors and protective measures, such as practising good hand hygiene, avoiding contact with infected individuals, and safe burial practices, are essential.

There is an FDA-approved vaccine for the prevention of the Ebola virus (species Zaire ortho-ebolavirus).

However, vaccines for other strains, such as the Sudan strain, are still under development.

Supportive care – rehydration with oral or intravenous fluids – and treatment of specific symptoms improve survival.

Early supportive care with rehydration, and symptomatic treatment improves survival.

A range of potential treatments, including blood products, immune therapies, and drug therapies, are currently being evaluated.

By Abujah Racheal

Stakeholders validate model Climate Change Mitigation Law for Africa

Michael Simire
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Stakeholders validate model Climate Change Mitigation Law for Africa

Some African stakeholders, made up of legal experts, policymakers, lawmakers and climate change specialists, have validated a Model Climate Change Law to address climate change effects on the continent.

NILDS
Participants at the validation retreat on the draft Model Climate Change Law for Africa, in Abuja

The stakeholders endorsed the legislation in Abuja during a three-day retreat, organised by African Group of Negotiators Expert Support (AGNES), in collaboration with National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS).

The legislation, which was drafted by experts under the auspices of AGNES, was targetted at bridging the existing legislative gap in Africa.

Speaking at the retreat, the AGNES Team Lead, Dr George Wamukoya, said of the 54 countries in Africa, only Kenya, Uganda and Nigeria had enacted dedicated climate change legislations.

Wamukoya said that the situation left much of Africa without comprehensive legal instruments to combat the challenges of climate change.

According to him, African countries must endorse an acceptable legislation to combat the challenges posed by climate change on the continent.

Wamukoya, however, stated that the implementation of the law was subject to individual countries, adding that each nation was expected to domesticate the law.

“Climate change is with us, and we must put comprehensive mechanisms in place to address it, and one such mechanisms is a legal framework.

“This framework hopes to enable all African countries to enact legislations on climate change, which will strengthen the continent’s negotiation position on the global stage,” he said.

Wamukoya commended the experts and other stakeholders which included NILDS, United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and Africa Network of Parliamentarians on Climate Change (ANPCC), among others, for their commitment to combating climate change.

By EricJames Ochigbo

How we’re tackling waste, pollution on waterways – LASWA

Michael Simire
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How we’re tackling waste, pollution on waterways – LASWA

Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA) has partnered with Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) Marine Unit to address environmental impact of waterways activities.

Plastic wastes on waterways
Plastic wastes on waterways pose a treat to small boats

The General Manager of LASWA, Mr. Oluwadamilola Emmanuel, said in Lagos that the partnership was particularly on waste management to improve safety on waterways.

Emmanuel said that, under the partnership, LAWMA would go to LASWA centres, pick up plastic bottles and other recyclable wastes, and take them to recycle factories.

“This is done to ensure that boats, jetties and waterways are rid of wastes that constitute nuisance to the system,” he said.

He expressed the hope that pollution of waterways would be adequately tackled in LASWA’s Omi-Eko project aimed at moving its ferries out of fossil fuel engines.

“The Omi-Eko project is strictly going to run on electric ferries. This is to reduce the pollution that comes from engines.

“To this effect, we will embark on collaborations with relevant agencies in a bid to keep the waterways clean.

“Our working with LAWMA Marine Unit is to ensure that waterways are kept clean.

“Also, the state Ministry of Waterfront and Infrastructure Development is upgrading jetties and terminals so that we can operationalise and maintain these jetties,” he said.

According to Emmanuel, LASWA is also collaborating with the National Inland Waterways Authority on safety on waterways.

“We join resources to see it work because, at the end of the day, it is the safety and development of waterways that we are after,” he said.

The general manager noted that LASWA inaugurated 15 ferries in 2024, adding that 10 would be inaugurated in 2025 to significantly improve efficiency.

He said that the state government was determined to have a fully-integrated transport system in which rail, road and water transport modes would be linked.

The LASWA boss said that in the next 10 years, water transport would be expected to contribute much more to the state’s gross domestic product.

He said that improvements in water transport infrastructure in terms of boats and terminals would drive patronage to the state’s waterways.

“One of the things we are doing to encourage people to use the waterways is creating awareness on the need to use life jackets which is the single most important thing in water transportation.

“Apart from pushing for its usage, we donate life jackets. We purchase and distribute to stakeholders, whether operators or passengers,” he said.

On the quality of life jackets some boat operators use, he said that the authority had always advocated best practices.

Emmanuel said that LASWA deployed water guards at jetties to ensure that poor quality life jackets would not be used.

“However, if it does happen, passengers have our hotlines to reach us to make complaints and we deal with them appropriately,” he said.

By Chiazo Ogbolu

Lagos urged to relocate dump site opposite Alimosho General Hospital

Michael Simire
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0
Lagos urged to relocate dump site opposite Alimosho General Hospital

Patients seeking medical care at the Alimosho General Hospital, Igando, Lagos State, have appealed to the Lagos State Government to relocate the dump site situated directly opposite the hospital.

Igando refuse dump
Igando refuse dump site directly opposite Alimosho General Hospital

The patients who spoke in Lagos said that the stench from the dump was sickening and the heaps of refuse unsightly.

Mrs Amina Ayetoro, who accompanied her aged mother to the hospital for treatment, said that having a refuse site close to the facility was not a good image for the hospital.

Ayetoro said the refusal of the Lagos State government to take a drastic measure on the issue over the years was worrisome.

“People around this area have made a passionate plea to the Lagos Government to do something about this refuse ground , yet nothing has happen about it.

“The site is very close to the hospital, and this has a lot of health implications for patients coming to the hospital to seek care,” she said.

Also, Mr Felix Ogu, whose child was on admission, said that the stench from the dump site during the raining season was always unbearable.

“If you come to this hospital during the raining season, especially the Maternal and Child Centre (MCC) building, the stench during that period is terrible.

“I don’t know if the Lagos State Government knows the implications of having a refuse site beside a hospital that caters for the health needs of people in Alimosho.”

Dr Essien Peters, who also went for a check up at the facility, said it was sad for the dump site to be opposite the hospital.

According to him, it will be causing a lot of discomfort for patients and workers in the facility, not to mention of residents around.

He urged the government to look at possible solutions to address the situation and most advisably, relocate the dump site.

Dangers of having open dumpsites especially in metropolis

According to the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), while open dumping is a cost-effective waste management option, it has significant adverse effects on the environment and public health.

Emissions from open dumping, including dioxins, furans, mercury and other hazardous substances, contribute to air, water and soil pollution.

It notes that people working at these sites and surrounding communities face a high risk of inhaling and ingesting toxic substances.

This poses a threat of diseases spreading due to poor sanitation and the presence of insects and vectors.

Studies published in the Journal of Environmental Protection established that indiscriminate disposal of solid waste in dumpsites located within urban areas has proved to be a problem to nearby residents in most developing cities of the world.

It corroborated that open dumps have environmental safeguards as they can pose major public health threats and environmental effects in urban cities.

Results show that both nearby residents and far away residents suffered from related diseases including malaria, chest pains, diarrhea and cholera, due to the location of the dumpsite closer to their settlements.

Solutions

UNEP’s approach identified that the solution would be multifaceted extending beyond the closure of open dumpsites.

However, the closure of open dumpsites would significantly contribute to addressing the climate crisis by reducing greenhouse gas emissions, air pollution, and soil contamination.

It would also lead to improved sanitation and water quality, fostering safer working conditions for informal workers and residents.

Studies in ScienceDirect advise that waste dump sites should be placed far from residential areas, main roads, among others.

Relocating dumpsites from residential areas and roads is considered the most suitable place for waste-dumping land, with less socio-economic, environmental, and political value.

“Additionally, economic benefits, such as increased job opportunities in the waste management sector, can be anticipated.”

By Kemi Akintokun

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