By Tosin Kolade

The Borehole Drillers’ Association of Nigeria (BODAN), has urged the Nigerian Government to reconsider its decision on the Expatriate Employment Levy (EEL), as it poses a threat to the survival of the drilling sector.

BODAN President, Mr Francis Uzoma, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday that the decision has prompted many foreign drilling companies to consider relocating to other countries.

NAN recalls that Expatriate Employment Levy mandates an annual fee for organisations employing expatriate workers, requiring $15,000 (£12,000) for a director and $10,000 for other employees.

This move, according to the Federal Government aims to encourage foreign companies to increase the employment of Nigerian workers.

Uzoma said the federal government should reconsider the decision by reviewing the mandated levy to be more considerate in line with current economic realities.

According to him, its members, especially the foreign investors have been worried about the new decision saying it was not beneficial to continue to operate in the country.

“I just came out from a meeting with my members and they have expressed concern about the new law which mandates organisations employing expatriate workers to pay $15,000 for a director and $10,000 for other employees.

“These companies have already indicated their intentions to leave the country, many of them are Indian and Asian drillers.

“There are predictions of massive job losses, affecting mainly Nigerian workers and would contribute to unemployment.

“We are calling for total review of this annual levy as the one-month window given for payment is not tenable and would affect the economy.

“Without such reconsideration, there’s a risk of drilling companies relocating to neighboring countries, as they have expressed dissatisfaction and unfavorable business conditions”.

These effects, he added include potential repercussions on the borehole sector, hindrance to knowledge transfer, and limitations on equipment and technology use.

He stressed the potential retaliation from foreign investors, particularly Nigerians in diaspora, highlighting the importance of considering the policy’s impact.

He mentioned his intention to write to the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, outlining the adverse effects of the policy on the economy.

NAN recalls President Bola Tinubu’s cautionary statement during the recent launch of the EEL handbook, where he warned against using the levy to obstruct potential investors.

He highlighted the government’s expectations to enhance revenue and promote indigenisation, emphasising the objective of balancing employment opportunities between Nigerians and expatriates.

Tinubu clarified that the government’s aim is to narrow wage gaps between expatriates and the Nigerian labor force.

Also, it is to simultaneously foster increased employment opportunities for qualified Nigerians within foreign companies operating in the country. (NAN) www.nannews.ng

Edited by Ekemini Ladejobi

By Abigael Joshua

Stakeholders in the environment sector on Tuesday, in Abuja collaborated on mitigating climate change through the restoration of mangroves in the country.

They said this at the inauguration of the UK PACT project on the integrated management of mangrove ecosystem and the expansion of social protection for fisheries and forest dependents in the coastal communities of Cross Rivers.

The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) Representative in Nigeria, Mr Koffy Kouacou, said that it was expedient to save mangrove ecosystem in Nigeria and in the coastal area of Cross River, most especially to impact livelihoods.

Kouacou stated that considering the negative impact of deforestation on the climate everyday, especially through fire wood and timber collection, which causes air pollution, the mangrove ecosystem needed restoration.

He expressed appreciation to the UK PACT, Federal Ministry of Environment Cross River Government for its support in the project.

He assured support for environmental projects and commended stakeholders for their collaboration on efforts to restore mangroves ecosystem.

Earlier, Dr Salisu Dahiru, Director-General of National Council on Climate Change (NCCC), in an address of welcome, said that Mangoves played important role in carbon sequestration, provides livelihoods and maintain emissions reduction target.

“The project aligns with one of the mitigation options it also helps in climate adaptation this also enhanced institutional strengthening in deepening research adaptive management practices and collaboration amongst stakeholders.”

Dahiru noted that both FAO and the UK PACT were joint project to harness the less harnessed resources critical to Nigeria’s determined contribution and commended their efforts to climate mitigation in Nigeria.

Martine Sobey, Climate Change and Nature Team Leader British High Commission, a representative of the UK PACT in Nigeria, said that it was pertinent to provide forest protection for communities against erosion, desert encroachment and deforestation.

The Commissioner for Agriculture and Irrigation Development Cross River, Mr Johnson Ebokpo, expressed willingness to restore mangroves in the state and assured continued support of the government. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

By Tosin Kolade

The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev, has called for immediate and collaborative efforts to address the escalating challenges of climate change in the country.

Utsev made this call at the opening of the two-day National Workshop on State Action Plan on Climate Change on Tuesday in Abuja.

He said there was an urgent need for collective action as no nation was exempted from the effects of climate change which surpassed borders, ideologies, and political realms.

The minister said the fast encroachment of climate change was affecting every facet of life, from food sources to infrastructure, livelihoods, health, and the future.

According to him, water, as one of the most vulnerable sectors, faces the brunt of climate change.

Utsev, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Alhaji Aliyu Shinkafi, listed various manifestations, including rising temperatures, extreme weather conditions, and the depletion of natural resources, especially water and ecosystems.

“The signs of climate change are becoming more distinct, and the time for climate action is now.”

He referenced Nigeria’s experiences, such as the floods of 2012 and 2022, as undeniable proof that climate change was a tangible reality.

The minister attributed climate change primarily to greenhouse gases and synthetic chemicals and called for swift, decisive, and collaborative efforts.

He said engaging stakeholders at all levels, including governance, development partners, and the private sector, was crucial to developing holistic solutions that leave no one behind.

Utsev said that the impact of climate change on the Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) sector, affected not only human life but also economic growth, food, and energy production.

He urged participants to approach the workshop with optimism and a sense of purpose.

“Together, we can rise to the challenge of climate change and recreate a world that is healthy, equitable, and more resilient for economic prosperity,’’ he said.

He expressed optimism that the workshop’s outcome would drive positive change in the collective aspiration to make the planet more conducive and resilient.

Dr Mukaila Babarinde, the Director of Hydrogeology and Climate Change at the ministry, highlighted the significance and timeliness of the workshop.

According to him, the workshop aims to advocate for and align Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 13 on Climate Action with SDG 6 on Water and Sanitation.

He said that it placed special emphasis on grassroots engagement, youth involvement, and the participation of water sector professionals from various states across Nigeria.

This, he added focused on the Climate Adaptation Country Compact.

“The workshop’s specific objectives include disseminating the concept of climate-resilient Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) programming.

“Additionally, it aims to orient states on the Climate Landscape Analysis for Children (CLAC) and provide support for the preparation of action plans to implement climate-resilient WASH programmes,’’ he said.

Babarinde added that the initiative underscored the commitment to addressing climate challenges in the water sector, ensuring a sustainable and resilient future for communities across the nation.

Dr Jane Bevan, UNICEF Chief of WASH, issued a stark warning regarding Africa’s vulnerability to climate change, with Nigeria ranking as the second-highest risk globally.

She said there was the need for tangible actions in the WASH sector to counteract the impending threats of extreme weather conditions and diseases like cholera.

Bevan advocated for a united front against the risks; outlining the importance of preparedness plans, emergency response strategies and initiatives to mitigate the effects of extreme weather events and diseases linked to rising temperatures.

She underscored the significance of adopting proactive measures, including state-level action plans and a climate rationale, to secure external funding and fortify regions against climate-related challenges. (NAN) www.nannews.ng

Edited by Chijioke Okoronkwo

By Martha Agas

The Nigerian Mining and Geosciences Society (NMGS) has called for the engagement of more personnel to shore up the manpower situation in public mining agencies.

It also emphasised the need to improve the working conditions of workers in the sector to boost its  fortunes.

NMGS President, Prof. Akinade Olatunji, made the suggestions in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Abuja.

Olatunji said that the gestures would reposition the sector for improved services and avert incidences such as the January Ibadan explosion attributed to the storage of explosive materials by illegal miners.

He particularly advised government to strengthen the manpower of the Mines Inspectorate Department and the Nigerian Geological Survey Agency (NGSA), for effective service delivery.

“Currently, the department (Mines Inspectorate), is understaffed and undermanned.

“Each state and Abuja has a Federal Mines Offices, but they are poorly staffed. They do not have enough mining engineers and geologists.

“The current manpower in that department cannot deliver the kind of results expected,” he said

He underscored the importance of generating geoscience data to ascertain the nation’s natural resources.

“There is a need to improve resources to enable the NGSA fulfil its core mandate of producing geoscience data that can benefit all sectors.

“Government should involve non-governmental partners like the NMGS in its efforts to generate and deploy skills not available to the ministry of solid minerals development.

“We need to deploy the right skills to tackle issues of under-declaration by operators, especially  in relation to the payment of royalties and taxes. The goal is to shore up revenue accruable from the sector considerably,” he said.

He advised government to identify local champions in the mining sector and promote them globally so that local and foreign investors would know that there are success stories to be proud of.

He also called for a synergy among the ministry, Nigeria Customs Service and the NMGS in providing expert knowledge and skills needed to curb the massive exportation of Nigeria’s mineral resources without declaration.

He noted that the situation had led to massive revenue leakage.

He also suggested the full implementation of the government directive requiring all minerals to be processed before export, to ensure their deserved value in the international markets.

“This, alone, can revolutionise the industrial sector,” he said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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By Chijioke Okoronkwo

Fridays For Future Nigeria (FFFN), a group of young climate justice activists, says it will hold protests across the country to pressurise insurance companies to stop insuring fossil fuel projects.

Kingsley Odogwu, National Coordinator (FFFN), in statement in Abuja, said the protests would be held in Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt and Delta from Feb. 26 to March 3.

He said there was the need to insure the future and not fossil fuels.

“We will join global fight demanding insurance companies around the world and in Nigeria insuring fossil fuel projects such as  AIG, Tokio Marine, Zurich Insurance, the Linkage Assurance Plc, AIICO Insurance Plc and others to stop immediately and start taking actions on climate.

“Actions will hold in Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt and Delta from this Feb. 26 to March 3.

“All FFFN local activists and community members as well as university students will protest around the major cities in Nigeria demanding that these insurance companies take immediate actions to slow the climate crisis and support the urgent transition from dangerous fossil fuels to clean energy.

“Grassroots groups and activists from across the world are coming together to demand action; same events will be taking place in the UK, U.S. Japan, South Korea, Uganda, DRC, Nigeria, Switzerland, France, Peru, Colombia, Germany and Czech Republic.’’

According to him, the aim is to demand immediate halt to insuring new fossil fuel projects, phasing out support for existing coal, oil and gas projects, respecting human rights and supporting a just transition.

He said that 2023 was the hottest year since the records began; and extreme and violent weather events were increasing across every continent.

Odogwu said that burning fossil fuels was the number one cause of the climate crisis, and fossil fuel projects – coal, gas and oil – could not operate without insurance.

“This puts the insurance industry in a uniquely powerful position to have an impact on the future of our world.

“ The environmental devastations caused by these fossil fuel industries at the Niger-Delta region of Nigeria where the Indigenous people can no longer farm on their farmlands are enough reasons for these insurance companies in Nigeria to stop insuring new fossil fuel projects in the country and support a just transition to renewable energy.

“As we continue our ongoing Fossil Free Campaigns across the country, the Nigerian Government is hereby advised to keep all its promises on the  global climate Justice struggles before the International community and.

“Also, Nigeria Government should create conducive atmosphere for climate justice activists across Nigeria to peacefully continue their climate advocacy campaigns without any form of intimidation and harassment from the law enforcement agencies.’’

Odogwu said that the insurance industry was meant to protect communities but instead they were deepening the crisis the communities faced

According to him, the insurance companies will be guaranteeing a future with more wildfires, floods, droughts and storms if they continue to insure fossil fuels.

“Insurers have a choice – they can stop insuring dirty, planet–wrecking oil, gas and coal.

“We ask them to take action now to protect our children’s future because later is too late,” he said. (NAN) www.nannews.ng

By Ahmed Kaigama

The Association of Public Toilets in Bauchi Local Government Area has announced a 100 per cent increment in charges for using its facilities.

Mr Ibrahim Kabo, Chairman of the association, made the announcement in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Bauchi on Thursday.

He said that charges for defecation in the facilities increased to N200 from the initial N100, while taking bath with hot and cold water rose to N200 as against the earlier N100.

Kabo said the upward review was necessitated by sharp increase in prices of items used in maintaining the facilities.

“We use soap, detergent, antibacterial agents, petrol, deodorant, cream buckets, brooms , dustbins, toilet paper among others to make the toilets convenient for the public.

“On the other hand, we have increased workers’ transportation fares; their role is very important because they are in charge of maintenance and taking care of the facilities.

“These are what led to the price increase in the public toilets in the metropolis,” the chairman said.

He said that as advocates of ending open defecation, members of the association must increase the charges to be able to pay for their utility bills and remain in business.

“That is why we work with the Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) unit of the local government area and the Bauchi State Environmental Protection Agency (BASEPA),” Kabo said.

Reacting, a client, Aliyu Danjuma, said the upward review was unfortunate, but understandable.

“I don’t blame them on the increase; everything has gone up, so you don’t expect less than what they are charging,” he said.

NAN correspondent observed that the new charges are boldly written on the walls of the facilities. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Nabilu Balarabe and Emmanuel Afonne

In an address of welcome, Mr Steve Abuh, the National Network Coordinator, CSDevNet, said it was crucial to empower and enlighten people on the critical need for community involvement in environmental protection and sustainable resource management.

By Abigael Joshua

Stakeholders in Abuja on Tuesday renewed their commitment to address the pervasive issue of land degradation affecting 19 northern states and the Federal Capital Territory.

Mr Mahmud Kambari, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Environment, made this declaration during a training programme focused on Land Restoration Techniques.

Collaborating with the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations, the training was conducted in partnership with the Agro-Climate Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) project, funded by the World Bank, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.

Kambari highlighted the significance of the ACReSAL project as a pivotal initiative toward environmental conservation and sustainability.

He emphasised that land restoration is a shared responsibility among stakeholders, crucial for sustaining ecosystems, fostering biodiversity, and mitigating climate change for the well-being of communities.

Dr Ibrahim Goni, Conservator-General of the National Park Service, expressed the park’s continued advocacy for effective protection of the seven parks to counter challenges posed by climate change.

Goni acknowledged the benefits derived from ACReSAL projects, particularly in solar power installation, which has streamlined their operations.

He appealed for increased engagement from ACReSAL projects to further enhance the country’s biodiversity.

Dr Moctar Sacande, Land Technical Officer of the FAO project, underlined that the training aimed at ensuring the successful implementation of the ACReSAL project.

Sacande commended ACReSAL for project implementation and the World Bank for financial facilitation.

The training was organised specifically for the 19 northern states.

Mr Abdulhamid Umar, National Project Coordinator for ACReSAL, stressed the need for serious drive and capacity building in landscape restoration.

He described the training as equipping selected colleagues from states and community levels with the necessary skills to transfer knowledge from Abuja to local communities.

Representing the World Bank, Mr Andrews Seglah hailed the ACReSAL project as a significant step toward achieving sustainable landscape restoration and a cleaner environment.

He assured continued support from the World Bank and encouraged participant states to disseminate knowledge regionally, especially at the grassroots level, for environmental sustainability. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Razak Owolabi