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Jalingo: Portable water scarce like petrol, expensive as gold

Michael Simire
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Residents of Jalingo, the Taraba State capital in Northern Nigeria, are groaning over the unending scarcity of portable water, writes AYODELE SAMUEL, a blogger

“Water, they say is life”, and the human body constitutes 70% of this liquid, as such water tops the priority list of the demand of mankind. 80% of diseases plaguing humanity are due to use or consumption of unsafe water.

Children fetching water in Jalingo, Taraba State

It is generally believed that the accessibility of sufficient quantities of portable water and safe sanitation facilities to a household determines the quality of life of the people and potential for poverty alleviation. This leads to the welfare improvement and is generally linked to a decrease in infant and maternal mortality, increase nutritional values and environmental hygiene.

In Jalingo, the capital of Taraba State, accessing portable water by residents remains a major battle forcing residents of the city to rely on local vendor popularly called Mai Ruwa and few streams for water, while public water supply remained exclusive for the rich in the state.

Wurom Musa is a one of the slum communities in Jalingo, and is inhabited mainly by farmers and traders. Here, the only source of water for domestic consumption is a local stream about seven killometers away. What would have served as a safer source of water supply – a two-hand pump borehole donated to the community five years ago, had collapsed.

In another slum community, Barade Ward, there are tales of woes and anguish whenever the Lamorde River, the only source of water in the area,  dries up, typically  during dry season. When this occurs, residents of the community are left with no other option than to buy from Mai Ruwa water vendors, whose source of water is unknown.

In another community, Agangagwasa, a resident, Julian Bala narrated that getting water for domestic use is a major challenge.

“Because here is a new area with plenty people, water is our problem, when the wells in the area are dried up, it’s a difficult  to get water because, we trek long distance searching for water as if you are looking for petrol, its saddening because water board is not here.”

Another resident, Mrs. Franca Osita told me that she starts her day by searching for water, “I have to wake up early and walk to  the stream to get water, or else buy from the water vendors and then prepare the children for school before resuming business, this is usually difficult for me.”

She called on the government to show more concern to the untold suffering water scarcity has brought upon the people, by making provision for more boreholes and making sure that the taps are running again.

The Ward head of Mayo-Gwoi Village, in peri-urban Jalingo, Mr. Aliyu Jassa, said the lack of access to portable water in the city is harming their health.

“Due to lack of water from the taps, some of us depend largely on Mai ruwa, and those who cannot afford to buy, have to depend on the river. Unfortunately we’ve had cases of cholera that have resulted to the loss of lives, especially pregnant women and children; I almost lost my children too, but thank God for quick intervention.”

Hamman Yakubu a retired bank official, on his part lamented the hike in price of water by local vendors. “Me and my family consume not less than three trucks a day at N200 per a truck of 10 jerry-cans each, but we are at the mercy of the water vendors, who sometimes hike the price of the water at will,” adding that  it is  too expensive for an average citizen in the state who earns less than N18, 000 per month, considering  other family expenses like sending the children to school.

Yakubu also noted that though there are pipes laid down for distribution to homes, but too expensive to embark upon, as it will cost N60,000 for the installation per home; adding  that the pipes have rusted due to non-usage resulting to  health hazard for the few consumers.

Other residents across the city bemoan the recurrent shortage of water and overdependence for water supply on Mai Ruwa whom sources of water is not known to the consumer.

Chairman of Taraba State Water Vendors, Mr. Muhamadu Ahmed, said: “There are over 20,000 members of the association scattered in various location of Jalingo.”

Danlami Musa, a water vendor said, he sells as much as fifteen trucks a day and due to the high demand of the product he often have to go in search of water from the stream, stating that sometimes the water from the borehole is not sufficient to go round.

Secretary of the Association of Water Vendors in Jalingo, Mr. Iliya Jacob, who had been in the business for more than 14 years, said his service is an alternative to government.

“I have been providing water for this entire area for 13 years, people troop in from distances to come here for water, sometimes we have to give them for free, as a humanitarian service, we see the untold hardship on our people, we regard our services as an alternative to the government, because most people cannot afford to buy trucks of water per day, there is no other option for getting portable water,” he added.

He identified causes of water scarcity in city as “dryness of well and stream majorly during dry season and well water  changing colour during raining seasons, and sometimes due to the activity of the pumping machine, it drains water from the ground which often cause some temporal water shortage from the ground, and leads to dry wells.”

Area Manager of Taraba Water Supply Board, Jalingo District, Mr. Bitrus Bambur, admitted to ravaging water shortage in the city:

“The product seems to be unavailable; however the government is doing its best to meet up with the challenges. The government is doing its best, the Taraba water supply board is operational on a daily basis, but coverage is not much, due to the growing population of the city, the coverage area is presently at 32%,” he said.

Some of the challenges facing the State Water Board according to investigation include obsolete machines that needs renovation and replacements, inadequate funding, deficiency in human resource development, and manpower that has reduced from 600 to 324 since the creation of the state.

Other challenges, according to Mr. Mambur, is the need to upgrade the facilities  for water distribution, stating that  only six out of the 14 boreholes  in the Board are functional. Calling on the  the government to subsidise water supply, in the state  rather than putting  more money  in providing drugs, Mr Mambur said the proper funding of the Board and efficient supply of safe water will help prevent diseases.

A government official who does not want his name in print confirmed that that the state government recently accessed a loan from the African Development Bank, to enable it upgrade the water supply coverage in the state from 32% to 75% .

The article was initiated courtesy of the Pro-poor WASH Stories Project implemented by the Water and Sanitation Media Network Nigeria, with the support of West Africa WASH Media Network, WaterAid, and Water Supply and Sanitation Collaborative Council.

Ifokobale: From metal recycling to air pollution

Michael Simire
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Ifokobale, one of the communities that make up Ogijo, a border town between Lagos and Ogun states had experienced a fairly pleasant environment prior to the establishment of some companies that the residents thought would upgrade the up and coming suburb.

The quest for socio-economic gains has been viewed as the main cause of environmental and physical pain, and of note are the activities of firms like Phoenix Steel Company, Mayor Steel Company and Metal Recycling Company in Ifokobale Community Development Area (CDA) in Ogijo, Sagamu Local Government Area of Ogun State.

The companies operate their heavy equipments simultaneously every minute of every day with a cloud of thick smoke that envelope Ifokobale like a blanket. According to residents, the most remarkable effect, aside visibility problem, is the odour that emanate alongside the fumes, thereby leaving residents gasping for breath.

Ifokobale, a community of about 500 residents, is characterised by numerous uncompleted buildings and un-tarred roads, which serve as dump sites for industrial waste from the metal recycling companies. The residents believe that this action may further hinder the development of the region. The community lacks basic amenities like electricity, pipe borne water, public schools and access to good medical care that would have served as a palliative measure for the indigenes.

According to some residents, the pollution is threatening their means of livelihood. One of such is the farming business of a retired accountant-turned-livestock farmer, Fatai Olalekan Salami, who started his poultry farm and animal rearing in 2005. He said his business had been on the progressive path and was largely successful but that since the establishment of the companies about two years ago with one directly opposite his farm, things never remained the same again.

He said: “My cost of production has accelerated and its almost overrunning my terminal yield. All I know is that each time the vet (veterinary doctor) consultant visits the farm, he usually complains that the birds are suffering from a chronic respiratory disease (CRD). He added that the casualty level had equally gone up, with the birds laying smaller eggs.”

Humans are not spared either. Mrs Funke Alaba, a business woman, shared the pains of her four-year-old daughter, Precious, who is suffering from a strange illness. According to her, barely three weeks after the family moved into Ifokabale, Precious took ill with a serious cough that lasted about three months.

“When I visited the hospital (Dorin Hospital, Ajah) the doctor diagnosed that though she had cough, she is also suffering from breathing congestion,” she stated, pointing out that, after treatment, Precious still suffers for cough.

“The doctor advised us to leave Ifokabale, but we cannot do so because of the cost of relocation.”

Another resident, Mr. E. O Fadesere, said that though he hadn’t felt anything physically, he however believes that the companies are doing damage to lives and the environment. “Anytime the machines are working, it’s like rain wants to fall. Though I have not been to the hospital, I know the smoke most have an effect.”

Mrs. Adepoju, a school teacher, said she first noticed the problem in 2010, after three years of residence in the neighbourhood.

“I thought it was about raining but for the smell I perceived. I called on my husband who told me it was from the new company,” she stated, adding that whenever the smoke envelopes the community air space, she feels nauseating. “I’ll be feeling like a pregnant woman and would be spitting (salivating) and want to vomit.”

Another resident submits that he usually felt sensation in his throat whenever Ifokobale is cloudy with smoke from the recycling companies.

All over Africa, studies have shown that air pollution from all the four sourcesadversely affects people’s respiratory health. Despite this realisation, little orno attention has been given to the subject thereby making control of this man-made nuisance difficult, or in some places even apparently impossible. But a man-made problem needs another man to put it under control.

According to a scientist, M.O. Tanimowo, air pollution is  due to gases and dust that singly or in combination cause respiratory impairment if inhaled over a period of time.

The irony of the whole saga is that these companies in Ifokobale are operated in order to bring sanity to the environment by recycling urban and industrial waste. But the reverse appears to be the case.

By Samson Asije

Cross River farm to produce biodiesel

Michael Simire
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Nigeria may soon take a remarkable step toward embracing renewable energy if an initiative being undertaken in the country eventually sees the light of the day.

The farm in Okpoma, Cross River State

According to former Environment Minister, John Odey, he is involved in a venture to produce diesel from non-petroleum, renewable agricultural source – ostensibly from a Jatropha farm he is cultivating in Okpoma in Cross River State.

Biodiesel is a form of diesel fuel manufactured from vegetable oil, animal fats, or recycled restaurant greases. It is believed to be non-toxic, biodegradable, and produces less air pollutants than petroleum-based diesel.

A flowering plant, Jatropha (or jatropha curcas), is cited by Goldman Sachs to be one of the best candidates for biodiesel production. It is resistant to drought and pests, and produces seeds containing 27 percent to 40 percent oil, averaging about 35 percent.

Though details of Odey’s project are still sketchy, he disclosed however that the venture would start producing diesel oil from next year.

Odey, who served as Environment Minister between December 2008 and May 2011, disclosed that he is likewise working under Access Nigeria for LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) utilisation for cooking across the country to reduce dependence on firewood and kerosene. This will be useful for drying agric produce to ensure post harvest storage, he added.

He noted that Africa Access Initiatives is partnering with stakeholders on the project, that considers the environment and eco-friendly cooking approach.

“We had met with Oando Plc on all the key issues including safety network and affordability issues to reach the grassroot. I met with Abba Ruma and others such as Chairman, NLC; chairman, Micro Banks Association; and president, Farmers Association.”

He expressed joy that the REDD+ initiative that he began while in office “has come to a fruitful beginning.”

Korea to host Green Climate Fund, LMDCs in debut meeting

Michael Simire
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The Board of the Green Climate Fund (GCF) has selected by consensus Songdo, Incheon City in the Republic of Korea as the host city of the GCF.  Five other countries – Germany, Mexico, Namibia, Poland and Switzerland – also submitted bids. The Board expressed its appreciation to the six countries for submitting their offers.

Songdo, Incheon City, South Korea

The decision of the Board was adopted at a recent Board meeting (the second) held in Songdo by consensus following a confidential ballot process. The decision is the outcome of an open and transparent process that the Board had initiated at its first meeting in Geneva, Switzerland, in August 2012.  The decision will be presented for endorsement to the Conference of the Parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) at its upcoming 18th session to take place on 26 November–7 December 2012 in Doha, Qatar.

Another important step expected is the launch of the selection process for the Executive Director of the Fund who will head the independent Secretariat that will be established in the course of 2013.

In a related development, the first meeting of the Like Minded Developing Countries (LMDCs) on climate change was hosted by China at Beijing on October 18-19, 2012. The meeting was attended by the representatives of Bolivia, China, Ecuador, Egypt, India, Malaysia, Nicaragua, Pakistan, Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Thailand and Venezuela. His Excellency Mr. Xie Zhenhua, Vice Chairman, National Development and Reform Commission of China, hosted a reception of the participating delegates on October 18, 2012.

The participants reiterated that, as developing countries experiencing many severe impacts of climate change, they share common interests and priorities.  They noted the increase in extreme weather events, including heavy rainfall, extensive floods, storms and hurricanes which have adversely affected their own countries as well as others, and that these recent events underscore the need for global cooperation and action on climate change. They also emphasised that for developing countries the problem of climate change goes beyond issues of environmental sustainability as it also directly impacts on their survival and development aspirations.

The participants noted that the LMDC is a platform for like minded developing countries to exchange views and coordinate positions on the climate negotiations in the UNFCCC, with the view to contributing to achieving the combined goals of environmental sustainability, social and economic development, and equity. They stressed that this grouping is part of and is anchored firmly in the G77 & China (the group of 133 developing countries). They agreed to continue to work together to strengthen the unity of G77 & China and play a constructive and meaningful role in the negotiations.

The participants had a candid and useful exchange of views on the ongoing negotiations under the UNFCCC. They reaffirmed their resolve to cooperate to fight the global problem of climate change in accordance with the principles and provisions of the UNFCCC. They recalled the outcomes of the Durban climate change conference and reiterated their commitment to work for an ambitious, equitable and comprehensive outcome of the upcoming Climate Change Conference at Doha, Qatar.

The participants recalled the outcome of the recent Summit-level United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20), which reaffirmed the Rio Principles, including the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities.  They endorsed the Summit outcome document’s, recalling that the UNFCCC provides that parties should protect the climate system “on the basis of equity and in accordance with their common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities.”

Participants affirmed that a top priority in the Doha climate conference is the adoption of an agreement for a second period of legally binding emission reduction targets for developed countries under the Kyoto Protocol which start on 1 January 2013. In order to be meaningful, the emission reduction targets must be sufficiently deep and in line with the requirements of actions to curb rising temperatures.

Equally important for success in Doha is a meaningful and comprehensive outcome under the Ad Hoc Working Group on Long Term Cooperative Action (AWG-LCA), which is responsible for implementing the Bali Action Plan launched in 2007. In order to have a successful and meaningful conclusion of its work, the AWG-LCA must make appropriate and balanced decisions on all aspects of its mandate, especially on supporting developing countries to adapt to climate change; provision of adequate financing and transfer of technology to developing countries; adequate mitigation efforts by developed countries in aggregate terms and comparable efforts for emission reduction among them;  nationally appropriate mitigation actions by developing countries, supported and enabled by financial resources and technology transfer; and a shared vision for long term global goals within a framework of equity and common but differentiated responsibilities.

The participants reiterated that successful outcomes in the Kyoto Protocol and the Bali Action plan (AWG-LCA) would contribute to progress on the Durban Platform. In their view, the Durban Platform, which was established in the Durban climate conference in December 2011, should build on the outcomes of the Kyoto Protocol and the Bali Action Plan, the two components of the Bali Road Map launched in 2007. The participants affirmed that, under the Durban Platform, they are committed to making progress on discussions for the enhanced implementation of the Convention in the post-2020 period and reiterated that the process as well as the outcome of the Durban Platform in both work-streams are under the Convention and must therefore be in full accordance with its principles and provisions, especially equity and common but differentiated responsibilities.

The participants thanked the Government of the People’s Republic of China for hosting this meeting and agreed that they would strengthen their cooperation including through more meetings in future.

GEF, UNEP in inefficient lighting phase-out campaign

Michael Simire
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New guidance for lighting efficiency programmes will save government resources, speed the transition to energy efficient lighting, boost economies, and mitigate climate change. In a recent letter, the head of the Global Environment Facility (GEF), Naoko Ishii, announced the availability of the new United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)/GEF en.lighten initiative’s Toolkit “Achieving the Transition to Energy Efficient Lighting.”

The book is described as an unparalleled resource for providing guidance for countries to transform their markets to efficient lighting. The Toolkit highlights best practice examples that countries have successfully implemented to move their economies to efficient lighting and mitigate climate change.

Lighting is responsible for 19 percent of global electricity consumption and, if not addressed immediately, global consumption for lighting will grow by 60 percent by the year 2030. Without significant improvement in efficiency, this growth will have dramatic climate consequences. The phase-out of inefficient lamps is one of the most straightforward and cost effective ways to significantly reduce carbon emissions, according to the GEF. However, despite technological improvements most developing countries have not taken steps towards this transition. Countries that have not made the shift may be unsure about how to begin efficiency programs, or lack the necessary capacity and know-how.

In her letter announcing the Toolkit, Dr. Ishii said: “The GEF, together with UNEP and its international partners, encourages countries to use this Toolkit to protect the environment, save energy, grow their economies, and become more competitive in the global arena.”

The en.lighten initiative is currently working with 46 countries worldwide to develop National Efficient Lighting Strategies based on the best practices reflected in the Toolkit. Partners in the initiative led by UNEP include Philips, Osram, and the National Lighting Test Centre (China).

The content of the Toolkit is presented in practical, action-oriented terms to be utilized by those responsible for drafting policies – environment or energy departments or agencies – but also by public utilities, private sector and civil society organisations.

Local councils mobilised on disaster management

Michael Simire
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Against the backdrop of the devastating floods that have turned large parts of Nigeria into disaster areas, Community Conservation and Development Initiatives (CCDI), in partnership with Heinrich Boll Stiftung, has engaged local councils on “Local Governments and Disaster Management”. The idea is to prompt local governments over their obligation to form Local Emergency Management Committees (LEMCs), as directed by the National Emergency Management Authority (NEMA), and to explain the roles and responsibilities of those committees.

The engagement comes under CCDIs “Mobilising Local Governments for Climate Action” project and the three local governments involved, Eti-Osa, Lekki and Yaba,  sent members of their LEMCs to participate. Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) was represented by Olusegun Magnus-Davies Magnus and Ganiyu Wewe, the Fire Brigade was represented by George Nwanorim and the Red Cross by Ijeoma Nweke. Dr Olusegun Ojo, an urban planning and disaster risk reduction consultant and former Director of Relief and Rehabilitation at NEMA, was a resource person. Unfortunately, owing to bureaucratic intransigence, the Police were invited but did not attend.

A major role for each LEMC is to develop and update periodically risk maps for its local government and provide the information to LASEMA, the general public and the communities at risk.

LEMCs should have the ability to kick start emergency response and recovery with back up from LASEMA, participants agreed, adding that the LEMCs must work closely with agencies such as the Fire Brigade, Red Cross and the Police, who should be represented on those committees. Local governments are afforded some degree of flexibility in the composition of the LEMCs, which should ideally reflect wards within the local government.

According to Kofo Adeleke of CCDI, other recommendations from the workshop include greater emphasis on disaster risk reduction as well as management, as the level of disaster risks and vulnerability in any community is determined by the members’ capacity to anticipate, resist, cope with and recover from the impact of hazards.

LEMCs, she noted, require more assistance from LASEMA to develop plans of action which integrate disaster risk reduction into the local development planning process. Through the development of action plans, training and sensitization needs will be identified for the local governments and communities. Local governments must make budgetary allocations for the LEMCs and funds can also be drawn from revenue mobilization and the private sector.

Above all, for the successful operation of LEMCs, good governance and political will must be ensured, stressed Adeleke.

WaterAid, stakeholders observe Handwashing Day, underline need for cleanliness

Michael Simire
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Lack of access to water and sanitation would continue to increase poverty and diseases in Nigeria because poor sanitation costs Nigeria N455 billion annually. This is based on a desk study carried out by the Water and Sanitation Programme, a multi-donor partnership administered by the World Bank in 2011.

Country Representative of WaterAid in Nigeria, Dr. Michael Ojo, while addressing key stakeholders at an event to celebrate this year’s Global Handwashing Day, stressed that WaterAid is working on a five-year project to improve access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) as an essential step in human development.

WaterAid projects are being undertaken in six states, which are Jigawa, Benue, Enugu, Ekiti, Plateau and Bauchi due to the needs of the people and the state governments’ responsiveness towards WASH in its programmes and policies, he added. Ojo explained that, in order to localise the global United Nation’s Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) related to sustainable development, WaterAid has introduced Local MDG Initiatives to the six focal states where it is operating.

Head of Programmes at WaterAid, Mr. Ziyok Ishaku, in a presentation pointed out that, through advocacy programmes, WaterAid is encouraging environmental health clubs in schools that promote hygiene and sanitation. He added that the group is also providing toilet and sanitary facilities to female students as it has been observed that when undergoing menstrual cycle they hardly attend school.

Head of Governance, Mrs Tolani Busari, said in communities where WaterAid has provided different types of water facilities like hand pumps, over head tanks, community taps, through monitoring and capacity building, the sustenance of the project has not been defeated. Busari pointed out that committees are set up within the communities to monitor and ensure the success of the project.

Mr Babatope Babalobi of the WASH Media Network reiterated the role of the media in strengthening public support and advocacy through special reports and programmes. According to him, the media is key in disseminating the message of WASH to create awareness and sensitise the people on the need to ensure basic hygiene which starts from the home.

Babalobi said it was necessary for water-related issues to get more support the way the issue of oil is to national development. In his words, access to safe, clean water is the right of every Nigerian.

WaterAid Communications Manager, Mrs Oluseyi Abdulmalik, called for more public support in ensuring that every Nigerian is not deprived of clean and affordable water. She highlighted that WaterAid supports three key events held globally: World Water Day, Global Handwashing Day and World Toilet Day. These global events, she maintained, are aligned towards the objectives of WaterAid.

Nollywood Stars like Bimbo Manuel, Tina Mba and Femi Brain also expressed their commitment in partnering with WaterAid in sharing the message of hope and life. Mba said she is already speaking with housewives at the community level to teach them about the importance of  basic hygiene such as handwashing, which goes a long way to reduce risk of disease infection. Highlight of the day was the handwashing event which was supported by Unilever Plc. A Unilever staff, Mr. Adeola Dexter, said Unilever was committed to partnering with WaterAid.

By Tina Armstrong-Ogbonna

Forum underlines youth-led agric initiatives

Michael Simire
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In a bid to promoting youth centre activities in raising awareness and mobilising public support for food security and livelihood protection, some 30 youths residing in the six states were recently selected to participate in an agriculture-based programme.

The youths from various backgrounds were camped in Osogbo, the Osun State capital, under a programme tagged: “Young voices for small scale farmers.” Participants visited the International Institute for Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Ibadan in Oyo State; Osun Farm Settlement; Epe Fishing Community, Afuye-Epe; Nigeria Institute of Marine and Oceanography Research (NIMOR), Lagos; and Osun State House of Assembly.

During a lecture on the power of the internet, a youth activist and environmentalist, Zaid Shopeju, encouraged the youths to create a buzz on the internet about the programme by using different social media platforms to share happenings with their friends and the world.

Shopeju explained that the power of the internet can cause change when applied for the right cause. In a practical session, some of the youths were introduced and made to open accounts with Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and also start their blogs. A Twitter hash tag, #YV4SSF, was created and the youths tweeted daily happenings to the world about the programme.

Deputy Director, Partnership and Capacity Building at IITA, Dr. Kenton Dashiell, while receiving the youths, expressed optimism that the next level of change and development that would emerge from the agricultural sector would be based on youth-led initiatives. Dashiell pointed out that young, educated and smart people were needed to engage in agriculture as it (agriculture) is not a profession that should be downgraded. He urged the youths to join the large number of small scale farmers who are the major producers of food consumed in Nigeria.

Dashiell maintained that hunger and poverty can be totally eradicated in the country, if more young people with skills and initiative engage in agriculture, even as he expressed the IITA’s support to partner with the youths for future development.

On tour the cassava processing unit in IITA, the site supervisor, Mr Smith Ikpan, spoke extensively on different researches, strategies being formulated to better develop improved varieties of cassava.

He said: “It is a known practice in Nigeria that to produce yellow-coloured garri that palm oil is required to be added to it, but an improved cassava variety has been produced by the Institute. The Beta-Carotene fortified cassava when processed into garri is normally yellow with no need for palm oil addition. This saves money, adds value and is nutrient fortified.”

Ikpan inquired from his audience if they had ever seen or known that cassava had seeds? The youths were surprised to see the seeds of cassava as they collected some to show their family and friends.

The youths were also taken to the Osun Farm Settlement in Osogbo to interact with the farmers. One of the farmers, Pa. Isaiah Oladejo a 70-year-old mechanised farmer, said they first came to the settlement in 1963. Oladejo added that since then farming has become a way of life for him and he now manages 50 acres of farmland, where he cultivates different food crops. The farmer of over 50 years experience identified access to fertilizer and tractors as a major challenge facing the farmers in increasing their yield.

Pa Oladejo explained that farming requires passion and good sense of planning as a profession and encouraged the youths to come into it as most of the present farmers are growing old and becoming weak to actively continue. According to him, the notion that agriculture does not sustain your livelihood is untrue.

“I have seven children who are all graduates and I catered for them through farming. One of my sons has joined me in farming and we make an average of N2 million annually from maize farming alone,” he disclosed, appealing to the youths to stop considering themselves as unemployed and waiting endlessly for white collar jobs. Through farming, you will feed yourself, family and Nigeria.”

He praised the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo whose leadership as the Governor of the Old Western Region led to the creation of Farm Settlements across the region. Pa. Oladejo urged those in leadership position to initiate projects that would impact on the lives of their electorates. He called for issue-based and people-focused leadership which he said would position the country on the right direction.

Osun State Commissioner for the Environment, Professor Bukola Oyawoye, while addressing the youths  before they departed Osogbo to Lagos for the continuation of the tour, advised them to see agriculture as a solution to hunger, poverty and, unemployment. Professor Oyawoye said when young people engage in agriculture, Nigeria’s economy would grow and be among the top 10 global powers.

Co-ordinator of the programme and Project Executive, Human and Environmental Development Agency (HEDA), Mr. Sulaiman Arigbabu, said it was time for young people to engage actively in programmes and policies in the agricultural sector. Arigbabu pointed out that Nigeria can regain its past glory through agriculture, as typified in the days of the groundnut pyramid, cocoa and palm oil, which enabled a boom in the economy.

He demanded: “Do you know the impact on food production if 10,000 Nigerian graduates engage in agriculture?”

Experts in the agricultural sector posited that the nation’s economy can be diversified if more support is given to young people to encourage their engagement in agriculture.

By Tina Armstrong-Ogbonna

Odey: Why I was labelled ‘Mr. Lake Nyos’

Michael Simire
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Odey: Why I was labelled ‘Mr. Lake Nyos’

Former Environment Minister, John Odey, has revealed that his passion towards ensuring the speedy execution of the N4.2 billion Kashimbilla/Gamovo Multipurpose Buffer Dam project in Taraba State while in office earned him a nickname among his peers in the Federal Executive Council (FEC).

Odey

Odey, who served as Environment Minister between December 2008 and May 2011, said that he was labelled “Mr. Lake Nyos” because he consistently brought up the issue during the weekly FEC meetings in Abuja.

The proposed dam is actually meant to serve as a buffer upon the event of an earthquake and the collapse of the lake’s wall, freeing its large volume of water, which is expected to flow along a course from its native Cameroun into neighbouring Nigeria, where settlements will be extensively flooded.

Odey, who is still very passionate over the environment and sustainable development, wants the authorities to expedite action on the actualisation of the dam, which is under construction. It can generate 40mw of electricity with the capacity for expansion to 60mw.

“The dam will provide portable water to Taraba State and irrigation for Taraba farmers and more areas in Benue State. I studied the dam and pushed for the acceleration of the project by Council. This earned me the name Lake Nyos in the FEC when I was Environment Minister.

“I can confirm President Goodluck Jonathan’s support to have this project completed. He sent us to inspect progress of work in May 2011,” he said.

On the perceived limited budget allocation in 2013 Budget foe Agriculture and Rural Development in the light of the recent nationwide flooding, Odey remarked: “It is important for the key players who understand the effect of policy to advise Mr. President on policies that will drive private sector investment. Budget as an instrument is not enough to set the goals for the sector. Favourable policies will do more.

“The value chain and post harvest processing is not in place. This is even more important that the vote for agriculture. The flooding will affect rice yield a lot. Our farmers depend on rain-fed agriculture and swarm rice a lot. We should begin to develop small irrigation projects powered by solar pump. This will yield a lot of result. We are working under Access Nigeria for LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) utilisation for cooking across the country to reduce dependence on firewood and kerosene. This will be useful for drying agric produce to ensure post harvest storage.

“Government intervention now is short term measure. Government must plan on a medium and long term measures. The budget itself is a short term instrument, considering the way we formulate and implement our budget. It is not drawn from a long term development plan at all.”

On the switch to LPG, he noted that Africa Access Initiatives is partnering with stakeholders on the project and considering the environment and eco-friendly cooking approach.

“We had met with Oando Plc on all the key issues including safety network and affordability issues to reach the grassroot. I met with Abba Ruma and others such as Chairman, NLC; chairman, Micro Banks Association; and president, Farmers Association.”

While expressing joy that the REDD+ initiative that he began while in office “has come to a fruitful beginning,” Odey stressed that he is operating a Jathropha farm in Okpoma in Cross River State, which will enable the production of bio-diesel from 2013.

Odey’s Jathropha Farm in Okpoma, Cross River State, which will supply raw material for the production of bio-diesel from 2013

Lake Nyos, a volcanic lake situated on the Cameroun border with Nigeria, covers an area of 1.48km2 and approximately 250m deep. It holds about 200,000 tonnes of water. Eruption of poisonous gases have occurred at Lake Nyos in 1954, 1982 and 1986, causing  flooding and killing thousands of people.

The worst scenario feared with respect to the lake is the eventual failure of the 50m long wall of the lake, due to erosion of its lower unit. This would discharge an estimated 17,000m three- fifth of flood that would have tragic impact on the downstream areas as far as Nigeria, surging down the Rivers Katsina Ala and Benue. This will affect thousands of people in Adamawa, Taraba, Benue and Cross River states.

In 2001, the Camerounian Government initiated the degassing project supported by an International Advisory Committee and various funding agencies. This project involves principally the use of large polyethylene pipe to siphon CO2 continuously from the lower layers of the lake to its surface. In addition, CO2 early warning systems were set up around the lake to monitor the CO2 concentration in the atmosphere and trigger alert when concentration is dangerously high.

Lake Nyos

On the 5th of September, 2001, the FEC considered a joint memorandum by the Ministers of Science and Technology, Health and Environment on Eruption of dangerous gases from Mount Cameroon and directed that an Inter-Ministerial committee comprising Ministers of Science and Technology, Health, Environment, Water Resources and Special Duties be set up to study the problem of the dangerous gases emitted by Mount Cameroon and make recommendations to the Council.

Based on conclusions from the research works by academics especially those from Cameroun in 2005 that predicted the imminent collapse of the two lakes in a near future, the House of Representatives, Benue and Taraba States Governments noted the enormous catastrophe that may take place.  In response to these, the National Technical Committee on Earthquake Phenomene (NTCEP) of which the Ministry is a member met to draw up a plan of attention for embarking on the necessary investigation of the problem.

Among the recommendations of the NTCEP were channelization of River Katsina Ala, installation of flood early warning system along the River and construction of buffer dam at Kashimbilla after proper Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is carried out.  However, the installation of early warning system has been done and the dam project was awarded and is under construction now with several complaints from adjoining communities of increased flooding of their environment.

President Jonathan has taken commendable action by releasing funds for steady works on the construction of the Dam. The project which witnessed a slow progress before 2011 received strong support by this administration as remarked by John Odey. The dredging of River Niger also is a mitigation action that officials say must be commended and all efforts to complete the work should be vigorously pursued.

Climate change, media and Nigeria floods

Michael Simire
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Climate change, media and Nigeria floods

Predictions by the National Coordinator of Climate Change Network in Nigeria (CCN), Mr. Surveyor Efik, that the Atlantic Ocean washout of the Kuramo Beach and Okun Afa settlements on the coastal city of Lagos are “small signs of bigger calamities to be unleashed on the city and the country,” seems to have manifested earlier than anticipated.

A flooded neighbourhood

Efik may not have been the only one to have made such prediction about Nigeria; but he has, on several occasions, tried to paint the picture of the calamities that lie in wait for Nigeria – direct consequences of the changing climate – without mincing words each time he is prompted.

In August, he had submitted that, “unless urgent adaptation measures were taken, a tsunami may occur in Lagos.”

He also disclosed during that interview that the threat of the ocean surge, as a consequence of swollen water volume due to increase in global temperatures, hangs loosely on most (or all) of Nigeria’s coastal cities.

Efik made this assertion six years after a prediction by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) listed Lagos and other cities on the coastal line of Africa among those faced with extreme floods due to sea level rise.

Less than two months after his prediction, Nigeria is being flooded from north to south. Unfortunately, the country had been adequately warned. In 2005, a team of American marine and related experts on expedition of the Atlantic Ocean had noted that Nigeria and some cities on the mid-ridge of the Atlantic Ocean could be destinations for deadly hurricanes and similar events. Soon after, series of hurricanes hit some major cities in the United States and the Lagos Bar Beach was washed out by serious floods from the ocean.

At a recent meeting on Climate Change by the Africa Adaptation Programme (AAP) Nigeria in collaboration with United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Environment Editor at Independent Newspapers Limited, Mr. Michael Simire, noted that, although “humans have been adapting to their environments throughout history by developing practices, cultures and livelihoods  suited to local conditions,” current realities have shown that we are not prepared for the emergencies resulting from the swift changes in climatic conditions as experienced currently.

This holds so true for Nigeria, as the raging flash floods and its threats to the existence of man experienced  in the last one month across most parts of the country has caused unimaginable distress to lives and properties of inhabitants along the coastal line of the country with authorities being lost on what to do.

The reality of the devastation of the flood that had affected lives and properties in virtually all the six geo-political zones of the country was the reason concerned professionals came together in Lagos to face the reality of Climate Change, by proffering practical adaptation and mitigation solutions.

At the ‘Strategic Media and Development Partners Forum on Climate Change Adaptation in Nigeria, stakeholders exchanged ideas and deliberated on the need for the media to come up with strategies for the media to effectively communicate the reality of the change and make the people understand what it means.

Climate Change crusader, Mr. Tunde Akingbade, in a paper tagged, “Challenges of Climate Change Reporting and the Media in Nigeria,” stated that the expectation of man of rainfall at a given period of the year had changed, as all predictions by weather experts have been eroded by the change in climate.

“Twenty-two years ago, at the celebration of World Meteorological Day in Nigeria, one of Nigeria’s Meteorological experts sounded an alarm in Lagos that the sun was getting hotter and radiating more energy to the earth than it has done since creation. Very few people, including the media, thought that was something alarming that needed a space in the newspaper or television,” Akingbade noted, while informing on how climate change had been dubbed a figment of imagination in the past.

Not so many people may like President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe; but, on climate change, he probably got it right when he said, “With the rivers becoming heavily silted up, the flood danger is increased.” This statement as presented by Akingbade was sequel to a visit Mugabe made to Somalia in 1978, where he said: “He could have wept to see trees being choked by the advancing desert, rather like people being drowned in flood.”

Throwing this up to the media, he said the media must rise up to the challenges of informing, sensistising and communication of these threats to people in order for Nigerians to get used to present realities of our time.

He noted that since climate plays a role in the survival of man, the much talked about change does not mean change in weather but a change in what people are experiencing over a long period of time that has been changing or suddenly changed.

“Since the industrial revolution, more carbon dioxide and Green House Gases have been released into the atmosphere – causing he earth’s climate to be changing as confirmed by studies by the IPCC,” Akingbade noted. Unfortunately, this has received only marginal attention from governments of countries like Nigeria that are most at risk.

“The Nigerian environment has suffered from massive pollution and degradation in the last 55 years. In the North, the Sahara desert is threatening everyone while the sea is eating our 800 Kilometers shoreline with great intensity. The air is fouled by industrial fumes. In the Delta, gas flaring is scorching the earth. The climate is changing,” Akingbade said, adding that the bigger task is in the hands of the media, which he said cannot afford to sit on the fence.

Panelists at the Lagos meeting noted that adaptation is a measure that is usually planned in advance or measures that may be put in place simultaneously in response to pressure on the environment, noting that such measures may include building of wall fences and improve the quality of healthcare care and facility prior to its occurrence.

They also expressed worry that over politicisation of issues concerning climate might lead to further aggravation on the victims because of the insincerity of the populace on politicians. They accused politicians of taking advantage of such emergence situations for personal enrichment at the detriment of the victims.

The National Co-Ordinator, AAP Nigeria, Dr. Samuel Adejare Adejuwon, said, “The ongoing flooding in many parts of the country and the aftermath greatly underscores the vulnerability of Nigeria to the vagaries of nature.”

Adejare noted, “In Nigeria, the high level of climate risk is related to a number of factors, including our densely populated low-lying coastline, which is also home to a high concentration of industry and infrastructure.”

He also pointed out that the North of the country, which forms part of the Sahel, is at risk of further drought and desertification.

Recent analysis by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET), as presented by him, shows a trend of late onset of the rainy season, with most of the country experiencing a below-average length of rainy season. Climate projections, according to him, have also indicated that mean annual rainfall will be lower in the North of the country and higher than normal in the coastal belt, with lower dry season contributions to annual totals in all belts.

“Sea-level rise leading to submergence of lowlands along the coast would result in much of the land currently used for agriculture being lost, with resultant devastating socio-economic and socio-cultural costs,” Adejare noted, while pointing out some of the climate change related weather conditions that were predicted prior to the recent events across the country.

On its part, Adejare said, AAP Nigeria has taken the bull by the horn.

“We have developed an electronic newsletter to update readers on the various activities and initiatives taking place under AAP in Nigeria. It will also interest you to know that the AAP Nigeria through the Climate Change Department of the Federal Ministry of Environment and with the support of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) set up the AAP Media Network,” he informed the Lagos meeting.

Meanwhile, the experts and other stakeholders that met in Lagos said Climate change has opened the world of Science and Technology to further areas of researches as people are currently seeking ways of developing and producing reinforced electricity poles, roofing materials, drought and flood resistant crops, sporting materials footballs that defy soaking, synthetic playing turfs among others.

The bigger challenge, however lies with government at all levels, which have been urged by the Lagos meeting  to be sincere and proactive towards issues of climate.

By Onche Odeh and Oyeniran Apata

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