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Oil extraction: Centre tasks women to demand environmental justice

Michael Simire
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Oil extraction: Centre tasks women to demand environmental justice

The Kebetkache Women Development and Resource Centre has told women in the Niger Delta to speak up against environmental injustices arising from oil extraction in their communities.

Power-up Project
Participants at the Power-up Project in Nigeria

Dr Emem Okon, the Executive Director of the Rivers-based advocacy group, made the call in Port Harcourt on Friday, September 6, 2024, at a conference on the Power-up Project in Nigeria.

At the conference with the theme: “Enhancing the Role of Women in Environmental Conservation”, Okon said that women held a critical stake in the call for environmental justice in the Niger Delta region.

Okon said that the power-up project was organised to empower grassroots women in identified project sites across Nigeria and Zimbabwe to speak up against environmental injustice.

“Women should be in the forefront of the agitation for measures to mitigate the impacts of oil extractions in their communities.

“The threat on the ecosystem by climate change is a call on communities to take actions towards protecting their environments,” she said.

She said that oil and gas communities had continued to suffer from land degradation due to oil extraction activities.

She said that the effect of oil exploration and extraction on the environment had aggravated hunger, crime and declining sources of livelihood.

“The communities have the responsibility to protect their land from abuse, they must raise their voices against injustices.

“Women suffer health challenges, including cancer and reproductive issues due to pollution from oil extraction.

“There is need to continue saying no and urging duty bearers to address pollution in the communities until justice is achieved,” she said.

The executive director stated that women should endeavour to actively advocate for clear development visions for their communities.

She said that the power-up project, sponsored by UK-based Comic Relief, was being implemented in Nigeria by Kebetkache in collaboration with partners from Zimbabwe and South Africa.

She said that the scheme, launched in Akwa Ibom and Rivers in 2020, had trained women to assert their rights towards rejecting harmful resource extraction practices.

According to her, the initiative has engaged women from Abua, Nsisioken, and Okwuzi communities in Rivers, as well as Ibeno in Akwa Ibom, in diverse local advocacy actions.

“These actions included campaigns for women’s access to land, clean water, and inclusion in community development committees.

“Some of the women engaged in tree planting in their communities, stakeholders dialogue, story-telling sessions, and advocacy for inheritance rights, among others,” she said.

In a keynote address, Mrs Nkemdirim Odoya, Director of Forestry, Rivers State Ministry of Agriculture, reiterated the vital roles that women could do to enhance environmental safety and conservation.

She said that it was not in doubt that women played prominent role in safeguarding herbs and medicinal plants in local communities.

“Women are the gatekeepers that discourage and prevent people from destroying medicinal plants.

“It is important that they are empowered financially to enhance their conservation efforts in the communities,” she said.

Odoya emphasised the ecological importance of trees in purifying air, enriching the soil, conserving water, and providing habitats for wildlife.

By Desmond Ejibas

NEMA emphasises significance of data in disaster risk management

Michael Simire
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NEMA emphasises significance of data in disaster risk management

The Director-General, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Mrs Zubaida Umar, on Thursday, September 5, 2024, emphasised the significance of data in disaster risk management.

Zubaida Umar
Zubaida Umar, Director General, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA)

Umar, who said this at a workshop organised by NEMA in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Abuja, said that effective decision-making relied on both quantitative and qualitative data.

The two-day workshop is part of the Sahelian Resilience Project funded by the Swedish government, focuses on disaster data collection.

She highlighted the workshop’s role in equipping NEMA personnel with essential skills in geo-spatial data.

Umar who was represented by Mr Daniel Obot, the Director, Disaster Risk Reduction, underscored the importance of collaboration among stakeholders to ensure that no one was left behind in disaster response efforts.

She acknowledged the support from the Government of Sweden and the UNDP which facilitated the acquisition of equipment for data collection.

She called for participants’ commitment to achieving the workshop’s objectives, reinforcing the need for timely and accurate data in disaster management across Nigeria and the Sahel region.

Mr Usman Kibon, from the Centre for Disaster Risk Management and Development Studies, ABU, Zaria, said that the project, when concluded, would help the Nigeria government and policy makers make proper plan for development.

Speaking to newsmen in the sidelines of the workshop, Kibon said that the project was aimed at creating a centralised hub for data for disaster loss and damage for the country and Sahel countries.

“This is in order to guide development in their respective countries.

“You can not plan without data. So, this is the essence of this project.

“The climate is changing and that has affected other factors that can lead to development. We need data to plan well, we need data to manage our rresources or meaningful development,” he said.

The workshop brought together key stakeholders, including government officials, disaster management experts, and representatives from various humanitarian organisations to identify gaps and share experiences.

The main objective is to enhance capacity for effective data collection during disasters, which is crucial for informed decision-making and response planning.

Africa loses $68bn annually to degradation – ECA

Michael Simire
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Africa loses $68bn annually to degradation – ECA

The Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) says 65 per cent of Africa’s arable land is degraded, costing it $68 billion annually in lost productivity.

Deforestation
Deforestation

Dr Hanan Morsy, the Deputy Executive Secretary and Chief Economist, United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), said this in a statement on posted the commission’s website.

Morsy spoke at the I0th Special session of the African Ministerial Conference on the Environment.

She said the event’s theme, “Raising Africa’s Ambition to Address land degradation, desertification, and drought,” was not just timely, it was vital.

“The stakes are high. Climate change is costing African economies up to 15 per cent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) annually.

“Governments are diverting up to nine per cent of their budgets to cope with extreme weather.

“It is also grappling with debt distress, facing difficult trade-offs between climate action and meeting critical development needs, such as health and education.”

According to Morsy, deforestation rates are twice the global average, further undermining our agricultural output and ecosystem services. We must act now.

“Programmes like reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation in developing countries (REDD+) which seek to reduce emissions from deforestation are crucial, but we need more.

“Carbon markets must be fair, with prices that reflect the true value of our efforts.

“Currently, African carbon credits are undervalued, often less than 10 dollars per tonne, compared to 120 dollars in more mature markets,” she said.

According to Morsy, balancing carbon credit initiatives with the needs of communities, including their access to forest resources for sustainable development is key.

The deputy executive secretary said that developing a high-integrity African carbon market that unlocked our potential and ensured equitable pricing for all was a strategic pripriority.

The economist said climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss were intertwined crises that threaten our very existence.

She said these were not just environmental issues; they were economic and social challenges that threaten the very fabric of our societies and demand our immediate and united action.

Morsy said that the ECA was committed to supporting member states in addressing climate change, land degradation and deforestation through various initiatives.

“The challenges we face are immense, but so are the opportunities for Africa to lead with innovative, sustainable solutions.

“By leveraging our collective strengths and deepening our collaboration, we can protect our ecosystems, empower our communities, and drive sustainable development.

“This path forward will require commitment both in resources, policy, and action.

“Together, we can build a resilient future for Africa for our children and future generations. Let us transform our ambition into action,” Morsy said.

By Lucy Ogalue

Hello world, goodbye health: Curbing Big Soda’s sportswashing at Olympics

Michael Simire
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Hello world, goodbye health: Curbing Big Soda’s sportswashing at Olympics

On October 16, 2021, the Executive Board (EB) of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) endorsed the Olympism 365 strategy which aims to strengthen the role of sport as an enabler for the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Sugar-sweetened beverages
Sugar-sweetened beverages

Through Olympism 365, the IOC, working with partners, uses sport to among others, help improve people’s physical and mental health and well-being.

But just before the Paris 2024 Olympics kicked off in France, the IOC teamed up with Big Soda to do the reverse: promote products known to damage health and well-being.

Big Soda is a synonym for the soft drink industry, particularly industry giants such as The Coca-Cola Company, PepsiCo, and Keurig Dr Pepper.

The IOC teamed up with The Coca-Cola Company to “celebrate the power of sport and music” with a new song named “Hello World”.

The song, which debuted the day before the Paris 2024 Olympic Opening Ceremony on Thursday, July 25, purported to promote unity and collaboration.

But that was not all the Olympic Games’ theme song was about. It also sends a subtle message from the video’s sponsor: Coca-Cola. The company’s unmistakable logo and bottle are displayed prominently throughout the video as images of athletes’ greatest moments flicker across the screen.

By the Hello World video, Big Soda is sending a message that they are associated with the positive values and emotions from sports that we all love to see, thus manipulating us into overlooking their damaging health harms. Big Soda wants its unhealthy drinks to be connected to positive feelings about sports and its stars, including excitement or perceptions of sports as a healthy social good.

This is just one example of Big Soda’s sports washing that the world saw throughout the 2024 Paris Olympics and is still seeing at the ongoing Paralympics.

Of particular concern is that sports sponsorship is an indirect way to reach children and teens, who may be especially susceptible to sports marketing.

A 2018 study by Dixon H, Scully M, Wakefield M, Kelly B, Pettigrew S, Chapman K, et al titled “The impact of unhealthy food sponsorship vs. pro-health sponsorship models on young adults’ food preferences: a randomised controlled trial” found that parents often perceive food products as healthier when they are endorsed by a professional athlete, making them more likely to purchase them.

The study also found that children strongly recall sponsors of their youth and professional teams and report favourable attitudes toward food and beverage companies for the sponsorship of events.

Why does this matter? The reason is that sugary drinks, including Sugar-Sweetened Beverages (SSBs), are a major contributor to rising rates of obesity, Type 2 diabetes and heart disease, among other non-communicable diseases (NCDs) both in Nigeria and globally. Children’s exposure to pervasive, unhealthy food marketing is a major risk factor for childhood obesity. In Nigeria, no fewer than 27 per cent of all deaths are due to NCDs, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO) Country Disease Outlook 2023. The five major risk factors for NCDs are excessive consumption of alcohol, tobacco use, physical inactivity, air pollution and unhealthy diets, including SSBs.

Additionally, plastic pollution, carbon emissions and water depletion are serious global concerns increasingly being linked to the sugary drinks industry and are also significant drivers of the climate crisis.

Thus, the IOC’s association with Big Soda is undermining its noble vision to use sports to build a better world.

Already, an online petition has been created by Kick Big Soda Out of Sport to urge the IOC to end Coca-Cola’s sponsorship deal and to commit to partnerships that align with Olympic values. It has garnered over 197,813 signatures as of September 3, 2024.

A Kick Big Soda Out spokesperson said: “Sugary drinks harm people and our planet. By accepting billions from Coca-Cola to sponsor the Olympic Games, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) implicitly endorses a world where health and environmental harms are ‘sports-washed’ away, undermining commitments to use sport to create a better world.

“By kicking Big Soda out of the Olympics, the IOC will show the world that it is not just committed to talking about these values, but is truly committed to making the world a better place through sport.”

Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) joins Kick Big Soda Out of Sport and its 91 other partner organisations who believe that sugary drinks harm people and our planet and that by accepting billions from Coca-Cola to sponsor the Olympic Games, the IOC implicitly endorses a world where health and environmental harms are “sports-washed” away, undermining commitments to use sport to create a better world.

We demand that the IOC live up to its responsibility to prioritise the health and well-being of people and our planet over Big Soda’s corporate interests. The IOC must, in the interest of public health, end its practice of helping Big Soda use healthy sports to promote unhealthy products.

By Robert Egbe

Egbe is public health advocate at Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA)

Delta community apprehensive over gas leak from NGIC pipeline

Michael Simire
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Delta community apprehensive over gas leak from NGIC pipeline

Residents of Oregha Community in Uvwie Council of Delta State have raised the alarm over the leakage of gas from a pipeline owned and managed by the Nigeria Gas Infrastructure Company (NGIC).

Delta Community
Black oil leakage polluting the Oregha River

NGIC is a gas transportation company with an extensive network of gas pipelines across the Niger Delta.

The company’s pipeline cuts through Oregha, an autonomous community of about 2,000 people near Oko Amurun, Ohore in Uvwie Council area, who are mostly into farming and fishing in the Oregha River.

In a Save Our Souls (SOS) to the Renevlyn Development Initiative (RDI), they said that in the later part of 2023 they started noticing that one of the gas pipelines in the bush was making a whistling noise and spraying gas and sand into the atmosphere.

They reported the incident to the NGIC Community Relations Committee (CRC) at the time, which promised to convey the findings to the company, but the NGIC did not respond to the report.

As time went on, the site of the leak also started oozing a black oil that has now found its way into the Orhega River where the locals fish and is threatening aquatic life.

Chairman of Oregha Community, Chief Mackson Edeki, said that after the initial attempt to get the attention of the NGIC through the report to the NGIC CRC, he continued to observe developments in the environment until he noticed corrosive chemicals in the Oregha River.

He disclosed that members of the community noticed that there is now bubbling at the same spot in the gas pipeline that was whistling and spraying sand in the air, adding that after some time the black oil spilling into the community farmlands has spoilt many traps and is now polluting the river.

Executive Director of RDI, Philip Jakpor, said: “Our team learnt that the gas pipeline that is spewing the black oily substance and gas was constructed over 30 years ago hence its integrity comes to question.

“The incident resembles many others across the Niger Delta where spills occur and are allowed to continue for months and in some cases years, resulting in major disasters before intervention comes. The government at federal and state levels should compel NGIC to mobilise to site and stop the environmental assault.”

Obrotobo Goddey, a 30-year-old community youth from the community, said: “I am a surveyor by profession. In the course of my survey work in one of the bushes we noticed bubbling in a small point. That was last year (2023), but now it is happening in the river.

“The chemical is now entering the river. When I noticed the development I called the community chairman who went to see and then reported to the NGIC’s CRC but nothing has happened so far. It is very disturbing.”

Chairman of Orgegha Community, Chief Mackson Edeki, said: “There’s no bunkering in this community or anything that will affect pipeline integrity so we are surprised that the leak is not being clamped at this stage.

“When it was whistling we never knew anything else would follow. The black oil leaking from the site of the whistling spot has destroyed our animal traps already. I am a fisherman and I fish in the Oregha River but with this incident escalating we may not be able to fish.”

Chairman of NGIC CRC in Uvwie Council, Chief Omafume Amurun, also revealed that the committee has made every attempt to get the NGIC to take action before the leak causes a major disaster but to no avail.

“There is apprehension in the community that a fire or any other incident may happen. We are also worried that the spill might engulf the entire Oregha River and affect the livelihoods of local fishermen. We do not want the situation to degenerate to that extent hence our outcry that the NGIC should come and clamp the ruptured point.”

Following the development, RDI has demanded that the Federal and Delta State Governments and relevant agencies compel the NGIC to mobilise immediately to clamp the gas leak and black oil spewing into the community farmlands and river.

It also wants the NGIC to be compelled to replace its rustic pipes that have the tendency of rupturing and causing havoc in the peaceful community, while sanction should be imposed on erring officials of NGIC for failing to address the imminent danger of an explosion and other fallouts of the pipeline rupture reported to them.

“There should be a comprehensive investigation and environmental audit to ascertain the impact of the leaks on the environment and especially the river, while adequate compensate should be paid to the locals who have suffered losses including destruction of their farmlands and waters.

“The NGIC should strengthen its relationship with the CRC to ensure seamless communication and addressing of community concerns,” it stated

Nigeria’s flooding: Rising waters, sinking hopes

Michael Simire
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Nigeria’s flooding: Rising waters, sinking hopes

Earlier this year as the rainy season approached, the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) in its weather forecast, as it has done in recent years, warned of impending flooding.

Flood
Flooding in Nigeria

As forewarned, the rain is here so is the flood. The consequences, though not as massive as two seasons ago, is huge.

Mrs Aishatu Abu’s eyes welled up with tears as she gazed at the ruins that used to be her home. It has been submerged in the murky waters of the overflowing river.

The floods had come without warning, sweeping away her livelihood, her memories and her sense of security. She is not alone. The victims across the country are many.

Thousands of Nigerians, such as Abu, have been affected by the recent flood season with their lives turned upside down by the raging waters.

The floods spotlight the urgent need for effective disaster risk management in Nigeria.

Mrs Zubaida Umar, the Director-General, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), urges a comprehensive action plan to address disaster risks in Nigeria.

She advocated a more comprehensive action plan for disaster risk management in Nigeria considering new and emerging hazards associated with it.

Umar spoke at a recent Expert Workshop on Early Warning For All, National Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) Strategic and Action Plan 2023-2030 in Abuja.

She said Nigeria faced severe vulnerabilities due to poverty, environmental degradation, and climate change.

Umar said that the Sahel region, where Nigeria is located, is prone to various disasters, including floods, landslides, droughts, and conflicts.

“A review of NEMA’s existing plans has indicated an urgent need for a more comprehensive action plan for disaster risk management in Nigeria, considering new and emerging hazards.

“This is to align with the Sendai Framework and African Programme of Action (PoA) to increase disaster resilience and drive sustainable development.

“The current escalations of conflicts, banditry, annual floods, and extreme weather events have triggered the desire to develop this DRR Strategy and Action Plan for Nigeria,” she said.

One of the agencies at the centre of disaster mitigation, NiMet, is worried that many Nigerians do not heed to early warnings serious hence enormity of damage usually cost by flood and other disasters.

Prof. Charles Anosike, Director-General/Chief Executive Officer of NiMet, spoke in Abuja at a three-day Expert Workshop on Early Warning For All, National Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) Strategic and Action Plan 2023-2030.

“Disasters, whether natural or man-made, can strike at any moment, leaving devastating impacts on communities and livelihoods. Early warning systems are the first line of defence against disasters.

“They provide critical seconds, minutes, or hours for people to seek safety, evacuate, or take necessary precautions.

“However, an early warning is only effective if it reaches all those at risk. In Nigeria, we face various hazards, from floods to landslides, droughts, and conflicts.

“The impact of these disasters can be catastrophic, but we can mitigate them through proactive and inclusive approaches.

“That’s why we must prioritise early warning for all. We need to ensure that every citizen, regardless of location, language, or socioeconomic status, receives timely and accurate warnings,” Anosike said.

Anosike said that, to achieve this, Nigeria should invest in robust early warning systems that leveraged technology and community networks and strengthen emergency response capabilities.

He stressed the need to conduct regulatory and public awareness campaigns, foster collaboration between government agencies, NGOs, and local communities, and support disaster risk reduction education in schools and communities.

Anosike called on all stakeholders working on disaster management and prevention to cooperate for better results.

“By working together, we can build a culture of resilience and reduce the risk of disasters in Nigeria. Let us commit to protecting our people, our communities, and our nation,” he said.

As the country seeks to build resilience against disasters, it must prioritise the needs of affected communities and escalate investment in disaster-related areas.

By investing in robust early warning systems, conducting regulatory and public awareness campaigns, and fostering collaboration between government agencies, NGOs, and local communities, Nigeria can reduce the risk of disasters and protect its citizens from their aftermath.

Anambra is one of the flood-prone states in the country and Dr Nonye Soludo, the governor’s wife wants residents of previously flood-hit communities to always take proactive measures during rainy season by moving to higher grounds.

Ayamelum, Anambra East, Anambra West, Onitsha North, Onitsha South, Awka North, and Ogbaru are among the high flood risk areas.

She urged community leaders, churches, and well-meaning individuals to assist residents who may be affected by the flood.

In Niger State, the management of North South Power Company Limited (NSPCL) has sensitised communities around the Shiroro Hydro-Electric Power Plant to desist from water-based activities.

Mr Olubunmi Peters, the Vice Chairman, North South Power Company Limited (NSPCL), identified poor maintenance of drainage system as part of the causes of flooding.

He, therefore, emphasised the need for government to start intensive desilting of drains and flood channels as well as intensify climate information services, especially to farmers.

As Nigeria grapples with the challenges of disaster risk management, it is clear that a comprehensive action plan is needed to address the challenge.

By working together, government agencies, NGOs, and local communities can build a culture of resilience and reduce the risk of disasters in the country.

Already, the Federal Government said it is taking the bull by the horn by supporting states in their efforts to manage flood disaster.

According to Mr Wale Edun, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, said in Birnin Kebbi that federal government would provide three billion naira to states to mitigate the impact of flood.

While this year’s rainy season is in its twilight it is important that more measures are taken to apply the lessons learnt this year in preparing for flooding and other disasters next season.

By Abiemwense Moru, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

Flood: NEMA raises alert of possible hazards in seven states

Michael Simire
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Flood: NEMA raises alert of possible hazards in seven states

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has advised states in the central and southern parts of the country to be prepared for potential floods that would soon affect communities in the downstream.

Anambra flood
A flooded compound at Ebenebe, Anam in Anambra State

The states, according to NEMA, include Benue, Kogi, Anambra, Delta, Imo, Rivers, and Bayelsa.

NEMA’s Director-General, Mrs Zubaida Umar, disclosed this in a statement by the Head of Press Unit, Mr Manzo Ezekiel, in Abuja on Thursday, September 5, 2024.

She said that the alert followed the recent flood that impacted many communities across some states and the rising water levels in River Benue and River Niger.

“The advice has become imperative to activate the state, local government authorities and communities to take necessary actions to mitigate against the risk of flooding.

“It is also important to avoid the scale of losses recorded so far in areas that have been impacted.

“Such areas have suffered misfortune including loss of lives, displacement of communities, and significant damage to property and infrastructures,” Umar said.

She listed some of the actions to be taken to include immediate clearing of blocked drainages, constructing temporary flood barriers, and evacuating from flood plains to safe higher grounds.

The D-G advised communities to stay informed through weather updates and flood warnings from the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) and the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA).

“Residents are advised to avoid crossing flooded areas, relocate from flood-prone zones, and cooperate with local emergency services,” she said.

Umar said that NEMA was working closely with state emergency management agencies and other relevant stakeholders to ensure that necessary support, including rescue and relief operations were available to affected communities.

She said that the collaboration with relevant stakeholders was through the National Emergency Operations Centre situated in the agency’s headquarters.

She emphasised the importance of early action and community vigilance.

“We urge all residents, especially in vulnerable areas, to heed our warnings and take immediate preventive measures to safeguard lives and property.

“Preparedness is key in reducing the impact of flooding,” Umar said.

By Philomina Attah

Oando to boost Nigeria’s oil production to 2mbpd – Lokpobiri

Michael Simire
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Oando to boost Nigeria’s oil production to 2mbpd – Lokpobiri

Minister of State Petroleum Resources (Oil), Sen. Heineken Lokpobiri, says Oando’s acquisition of Eni’s Subsidiary, Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC), will ramp up crude oil production to two million barrels per day (bpd).

Sen. Heineken Lokpobiri
Sen. Heineken Lokpobiri, Minister of State Petroleum Resources (Oil), briefing newsmen on Friday in Abuja

The minister said the Oando company has already increased production to more than 30,000 bpd sequel to the successful acquisition of the NAOC.

Lokpobiri stated this on Thursday, September 5, 2024, in Abuja during a meeting with a delegation from Oando Energy Resources Nigeria Ltd., led by its Managing Director, Dr Ainojie Irune.

Oando Plc., one of the Nigeria’s leading indigenous energy solutions providers in Aug. 2024, successfully completed acquisition of Eni’s subsidiary, NAOC for $783 million.

Lokpobiri said with necessary support, the Oando would increase production that would substantially help the Federal Government’s desire to get into two million bpd by the end of 2024.

“I will ensure that I do everything humanly possible to create the best environment for Oando and other companies operating in the Niger Delta region to increase production, which we seriously need now.

“Our target is to hit at least two million barrels production by December,’’ he said.

Lokpobiri, who disclosed that 80 per cent of the acquired assets is in Bayelsa, said he has spoken to the state government and relevant stakeholders on collaboration with Oando to boost production from those assets.

He said that enormous local capacity had been grown in indigenous companies such as Oando, Seplat and First E&P, among others tasked them to sustain the momentum to be in same level with the so-called IOCs.

“And I’ve also been asked at the global stage whether the indigenous companies have capacity to be able to sustain the running of these companies. What is going to be the future of Nigeria?

“I said we have no problem at all, that we have grown in enormous capacity, and the companies that are seeking to acquire these IOCs will run them professionally and profitably,’’ he said.

On the upstream, midstream, and downstream sectors of the economy, the minister urged the entire world to seize the opportunity of Nigeria’s readiness for business and invest.

Earlier, Irune said the visit was to intimate the minister on the concluded transaction and highlight some of the landmarks it had hit in just achieving the milestone.

He assured that it would improve the assets management; tackle insecurity and local problems of host communities and contribute to the overall production ambitions of the country.

Irune recalled that Oando started off as a downstream company, selling fuel oil in tankers effectively, and built the largest downstream interest with over 500 fuel stations nationwide.

He said it proceeded to build the largest midstream company, Oando Gas and Power, and stepped into the upstream, where it became first indigenous company to acquire two IOCs.

“It has first transaction in 2014 with ConocoPhillips, with 20 per cent interest in the NAOC Joint Venture (JV) while ENI’s 20 per cent stake in the NAOC JV made it 40 per cent holders in the JV, with the NNPC Ltd. holding 60 per cent.

“It sought to put the best of local content forward to inspire Nigerians to show that Nigerians can do it.

“We can breed and create our own IOCs that would have sizable balance sheets, acreages across the world, and portfolios that can compete with the likes of the Shell’s and Chevron,” he said.

Irune thanked the minister for his steadfast support and commitment to the growth of not just indigenous companies within the oil and gas industry, but the industry as a whole.

By Emmanuella Anokam

Delivering on climate action will unlock a goldmine of human and economic benefits, says Simon Stiell

Michael Simire
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Delivering on climate action will unlock a goldmine of human and economic benefits, says Simon Stiell

In his remarks at the 10th African Ministerial Conference on the Environment (AMCEN) in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, on Thursday, September 5, 2024, UN Climate Change Executive Secretary, Simon Stiell, is of the view that climate action will unlock a goldmine of human and economic benefits

Simon Stiell
UN Climate Change Executive Secretary, Simon Stiell, speaking at the 10th African Ministerial Conference on the Environment (AMCEN) in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, on September 5, 2024

Today I want to start with some good news. Climate action is the single greatest economic opportunity of this century.

It can and should be the single greatest opportunity for Africa, to lift up people, communities, and economies, after centuries of exploitation.

The opportunity is immense. But so too are the costs for African nations of unchecked global heating.

The continent has been warming at a faster rate than the global average. From Algeria to Zambia, climate-driven disasters are getting worse, inflicting the most suffering on those who did least to cause it.

In Africa, as in all regions, the climate crisis is an economic sinkhole, sucking the momentum out of economic growth. In fact, many African nations are losing up to 5% of GDP as a result of climate impacts.

Consider food production being hit hard, contributing to the re-emergence of famine, while also pushing up global prices, and with them inflation and the cost of living.

Desertification and habitat destruction are driving forced movements of people.

Supply chains are already being hit hard by spiralling climate impacts.

It is African nations and people who are paying the heaviest price. But it would be entirely incorrect for any world leader – especially in the G20 – to think although this is all incredibly sad, ultimately, it’s not my problem.

The economic and political reality – in an interdependent world – is we are all in this crisis together. We rise together, or we fall together.

But if the climate and economic crises are globally interlinked. So too are the solutions.

So, it’s time to flip the script. From potential climate tipping points to exponential changes in business, investment, and growth. Changes that will further strengthen African nations’ climate leadership and vital role in global climate solutions, on all fronts.

At COP28, we concluded the first-ever stocktake of global climate action.

It showed how much more work is still needed.

In response all nations agreed on some ambitious new commitments.

To transition away from all fossil fuels quickly, but fairly.

To triple renewable energy.

To double energy efficiency.

And to go from responding to climate impacts, to truly transformative adaptation.

I recognize these are big commitments, particularly in regions focused on development.

But delivering on them will unlock a goldmine of human and economic benefits.

Cleaner, more reliable and affordable energy across Africa.

More jobs, stronger local economies, underpinning more stability and opportunity, especially for women.

Electrification and lighting at night in the home means kids can do homework, boosting education outcomes, with major flow-on productivity gains driving stronger economic growth.

Cooking with traditional fuels emits greenhouse gases roughly equivalent to global aviation or shipping. It also contributes to 3 million premature deaths every single year.

It would cost $4 billion annually to fix this in Africa by 2030, an outstanding investment, on any accounting.

Linking nature-based climate solutions with biodiversity protection and land restoration will drive progress right across the 17 Sustainable Development Goals.

Yet African nations’ vast potential to drive forward climate solutions is being thwarted by an epidemic of underinvestment.

Of the more than $400 billion spent on clean energy last year, only $2.6 billion went to African nations.

Renewable energy investment in Africa needs to grow at least fivefold by 2030.

COP29 in Baku must signal that the climate crisis is core business for every government, with finance solutions to match.

Nations must agree a new international climate financial goal. And ensure that it is grounded in the needs of developing countries.

Domestic action and, indeed, domestic finance will remain crucial. But, alone, it is not enough. More support – including more international climate finance – is needed.

In Baku, we must finally get international carbon markets under Article 6 working.

We must make the Loss and Damage Fund fully operational.

And we must ensure goals on adaptation are realized, financed, and capable of being met. Closing the adaptation finance gap is absolutely crucial.

The climate actions nations choose should be embedded in the new generation of national climate plans – NDCs – due early next year. And in National Adaptation Plans every country must have and, to date, out of 54 African nations, only 29 have submitted national adaptation plans.

Biennial Transparency Reports are also a crucial enabling tool, intended to help governments strengthen climate policies over time.

We know many countries need help in achieving this. The UN system provides a wide range of practical supports. I urge you to make use of them. We, the UN system, a here to help.

We’ve also taken steps this year to boost the proportion of Observer organizations at COP from the global south, following the guidance from Parties at the June Meetings earlier this year.

Your role at the three Rio Convention COPs this year – and your voices in the lead-up to them – are more important than ever, to help guide our process to the highest-ambition outcomes the world needs.

So, I thank you for your tireless efforts and your crucial leadership, and I urge you to keep up the fight.

An Africa ascending, an Africa empowered to take bolder climate actions is in every nation’s interest.

UN Climate Change will be with you every step of the way.

Power Shift Africa welcomes UNFCCC move to admit more COP observers from global south

Michael Simire
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Power Shift Africa welcomes UNFCCC move to admit more COP observers from global south

In his speech on Thursday, September 5, 2024, at the African Ministerial Conference on the Environment (AMCEN), UNFCCC Executive Secretary, Simon Stiell, announced that more observer badges for COP29 would go to organisations from the global south.

Mohamed Adow
Director of Power Shift Africa, Mohamed Adow

Stiell said: “We’ve also taken steps this year to boost the proportion of observer organisations at COP from the global south, following the guidance from Parties at the June Meetings this year.”

In a reaction, Mohamed Adow, Director of Nairobi-based think tank Power Shift Africa, said: “For too long the COP summits have been largely full of delegates from the global north. It’s an example of how too much power at the climate talks has been by held by people and organisations based in countries that have caused the climate crisis.  Finally, we are getting a fairer distribution of observer badges. It’s only right that people from countries that are most vulnerable to the climate crisis are able to attend the meetings that are supposed to address their needs.”

According to Power Shift Africa’s analysis, 50% of the COP28 badges went to participants from the bloc known as Western European and Other States (WEOG), which includes the USA, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Iceland, Norway and Switzerland, despite those countries only representing12% of the global population.

Adow said: “People in parts of the developing world only contribute a fraction of the emissions causing the climate crisis yet disproportionately suffer its impacts. Yet for too long the vast majority of COP badges have been held by people from a small part of the world but with disproportionately high emissions.  It is only right that this imbalance is now being rectified.”

In his speech, Stiell also said that climate action is the “single greatest economic opportunity of this century” and that “the opportunity is immense. But so too are the costs for African nations of unchecked global heating.”

Adow said: “It’s encouraging to hear Simon Stiell spelling out the huge opportunities posed by tackling the scourge of climate change, transitioning the world to clean energy and lifting millions of climate vulnerable people out of poverty.”

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