By Tosin Kolade, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

Environmental pollution is one of the challenges that arise from industrial development.

Toxic substances and emissions in form of smoke, dust, noise and waste water are released by industries during and after production thereby contaminating water bodies, soil and air.

Pollution has adverse effect on our health. It puts vital organs such as kidney, skin, eye in danger. It does not spare animals and trees.

Environmental scientists blame it for some of climate mate change challenges such as ozone layer depletion.

Environment activists, governments, civil society organisation and international bodies have made various efforts to pull resources towards environmental pollution.

To curb pollution, ministers of environment from all over the world at the 2017 UN Environment Assembly expressed their political commitment to working towards pollution-free environment, according to UN Environment Assembly.

“Governments also adopted Resolutions targeting specific aspects of pollution: air quality, water pollution, soil pollution, marine litter and micro-plastics, chemicals and wastes”, the Assembly said in a report.

In Nigeria the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) is responsible for enforcement of environmental laws.

Industries are required to operate in an environmentally-friendly manner by establishing environmental management systems and adopting best pollution abatement technologies.

Unfortunately, this was not the case for Pure Bio-Tech Company Limited, an ethanol manufacturing firm located on Gboko Road, Makurdi.

The residents of the area had complained that industrial waste from the company being discharged into the river thereby polluting it and endangering their lives and sources of livelihood.

According to Chief Terfa Gbam, a village head who spoke on behalf of Abua, Angbaaye and Akile communities the waste which is a blackened sludge, is discharged into River Benue.

He said the water, since the plant was established in 2020, has been polluted and not fit for even a bath.

“They discharge the waste into the river which contaminates it and makes it unfit for drinking and even bathing. It also kills the fish in the river,” the media quoted Gbam as saying.

A fisherman and resident of Angbaaye part of the town said the operations of the factory had negatively impacted on his occupation.

The media quoted the man identified as Dantanimu as saying that the waste prevents his net from catching fish because it got stuck in the sludge. Many fish have also died from the pollution.

However, the company through the Corporate Communications and Public Relations Manager, Mr Stephen Numbeve, tried to defend its action.

A media report quoted him as saying that “the waste is not hazardous and the odour is not harmful,

“It’s true that we have discharged waste in the water but what we have put in there is not hazardous. It is treated effluent

“Also, I can agree that the waste used to have offensive odour but that doesn’t happen again.

“The odour is not harmful and our consultants are working tirelessly to ensure that the offensive odour is not there”, he said in a media report.

However not impressed by the company’s action NESREA, in company of security agencies, on April 17 sealed up the firm.

Spokesperson of NESREA, Amaka Ejiofor in a statement said the company was sealed up for discharging untreated effluent into water bodies thereby endangering human lives and the environment.

Ejiofor said the production of ethanol using cassava was a wet process that required the installation of a functional Effluent Treatment Plant (ETP).

He said this would ensure that wastes from these processes were well treated before being discharged into the environment.

He said the company also flouted extant environmental laws and standards.

Following NESREA’s action, the management of the company went into action and installed a N7.5 billion Effluent Treatment Plant (ETP).

The installation of the facility ensures that all solid and liquid wastes are now converted into biogas, fertiliser, even the treated wastewater. Consequently NESREA unsealed the company.

The NESREA Benue State Coordinator, Mr Daniel Iormough said during the unsealing that the agency was poised to ensure that Nigerians enjoyed an environment safe from pollution.

Iormough said NESREA had to act because the company also violated the National Environmental (Sanitation and Waste Control) Regulations 2009 S.I No.28 and contravened EIA Act CAP. E12 of LFN, (2004).

Regulation S.I No.28 (2009) provides the legal framework for the adoption of sustainable and environment friendly practices in environmental sanitation and waste management to minimise pollution.

The Environmental Impact Assessment Act (Cap E12 LFN 2004) provides for the operation and maintenance of a public register which gives public access to information on potential hazards likely to impact negatively on environmental health and safety.

A cassava farmer, Mr Terngu Iornum, said though farmers were delighted to have the company in the area, it was important that necessary measures were taken to safeguard the area from pollution.

“We are happy over the presence of the company in the state, it has minimised losses that cassava farmers suffered in the past years, however, we also have to take care of the environment’’, the media quoted him as saying.

Mr Muhammad Abdulkadir, the company’s Human Resources Manager, said the company was ready to deepen its social responsibility in its area of operation.

He said that already it has acquired land to establish a modern school in the host community.

He said that “besides, 80 per cent of our nearly 200 workforce are Benue indigenes, including youths from the host community.

“While the company was sealed, it resulted in huge economic loss not only on the part of the company, but for local farmers who have found market value for their products through Pure Biotech Company”.

The action of Pure Bio-Tech Company Limited to accept responsibilities and upgrade its facility, and improve on its corporate social responsibility is commendable.

However, companies should not wait to be forced to make decisions that uplift the wellbeing of the society.

The NESREA office in Benue deserves commendation for ensuring strict enforcement of pollution regulations in the state. No effort should be spared to make the environment a safe place for all. (NANFeatures)

**If used please credit the writer and News Agency of Nigeria.

By Tosin Kolade

The Minister of Water Resources, Alhaji Suleiman Adamu, has called on all stakeholders to take the Open Defecation-Free (ODF) campaign to grassroots.

Adamu who made this call at his valedictory meeting with newsmen in Abuja, said all sensitisation campaigns ought to be people-centred.

According to him, current efforts to rid Nigeria of public defecation will gain more momentum when they are community-based.

He said there was need to move from conventional media channels of television and billboards, to traditional channels of radio and town criers, especially in rural communities.

“The ODF blueprint is ongoing, and we want the campaigns to be in the grassroots, using radio and other means.

“The ODF message must be community-based and people-centred, this will make current efforts have lasting impact”.

Speaking on his eight-year tenure at the ministry, Adamu said he had no regrets whatsoever, adding however, that his challenge was lack of insufficient revenue to carry out his mandate.

According to the minister, there is need for political support from states to cascade Federal Government’s policies to the people, who are the direct beneficiaries.

He also called for collective responsibility and ownership from all stakeholders, so that the huge investments in the sector would not go to waste.

On the National Water Resources Bill pending at the National Assembly, the minister said some people chose to politicise the provisions of the bill, adding that there was nothing new in its provisions, as 96 per cent of the contents were already existing.

He said that innovations in the reviewed bill included; the institutionalisation of an independent regulatory body to help reposition the water sector, to aid cost recovery and improve the irrigation sector.

“As a government, we are committed to our job to improve the lives of Nigerians, it’s on that basis that we are aggressive about the passage of the water bill”.

He however, expressed optimism that the 10th Assembly would pass the bill into law as it was targeted at repositioning the water resources sector in the country.

He stressed the need for alternative sources to fund the sector and its projects, saying they were capital-intensive and that the Federal government could not fund that alone.

The Director of Press and Public Relations, with the ministry, Kenechukwu Offie, who is also exiting along with the minister after 35 years of service, said leadership was not about title, but getting resources for the benefits of citizenry.

Offie thanked the minister, as well as her colleagues for their cooperation and support during her period in service.

Highlights of the event was the formal presentation of a book, ‘The President’s Water Minister 2015-2023 Milestones of Engr. Suleiman H. Adamu’, authored by Mrs Kenechukwu Offie. (NAN) www.nannews.ng

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Edited by Nyisom Fiyigon Dore

By Tosin Kolade

The Director-General, Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA), Mr Clement Nze, has called on Nigerians living in flood-prone areas to be watchful and move to higher grounds.

Nze told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), on Tuesday in Abuja, that this was necessary to prevent disasters and emergency situations that could occur in the coming months due to possible floods.

NAN recalls that the agency had predicted in its 2023 Annual Flood Outlook (AFO), that 178 local government areas in 32 States and the FCT, were within the “Highly Probable Flood Risks Areas”.

According to him, all stakeholders have a duty to utilise the information in the AFO, to avert and minimise the adverse effects of flooding in Nigeria.

He said governments at all levels, including individuals, should adhere to the advisories issued by doing the needful.

“As early as middle of February, NIHSA released the 2023 Annual Flood Outlook (AFO). This is quite unprecedented when compared to previous years.

“Early warnings, matched with early action in terms of preparedness to reduce the negative impact of flood disasters, is what is expected of the sub-nationals.”

According to him, people living within the floodplains should be on the watch, advising them to move to higher grounds, and visit the floodplains during the day for normal economic activities.

“Those living by the banks of the rivers, especially the trans-boundary Rivers Niger and Benue, should keep closer watch on the periodic surge of the rivers.

“Coastal cities in the country have been placed on red alert with regards to coastal flooding,” Nze said.

The D-G said NIHSA’s mandate in flood-related issues was advisory and the agency had been providing avenues for discussions on issues such as the de-silting of major rivers.

This, he noted would deepen their carrying capacities, so as to reduce overflow of rivers which often resulted in flood disasters.

He said during the peak of flooding, President Muhammadu Buhari gave a directive that led to the inauguration of the Presidential Committee for the Development of a Comprehensive Action Plan for Preventing Flood Disasters in Nigeria.

Nze said all issues towards averting flood disasters, including de-silting of the country’s major rivers, have been articulated in the committee.

NAN reports that 32 states termed as Highly Probable Flood Risks Areas include; Adamawa, Abia, Akwa- Ibom, Anambra, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Benue, Cross- River, Delta, Ebonyi, Ekiti, Edo.

Others are; Gombe, Imo, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Kebbi, Kogi, Kwara, Lagos, Nasarawa, Niger, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Oyo, Rivers, Sokoto, Taraba, Yobe, Zamfara and the FCT. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Nyisom Fiyigon Dore

By Ismaila Chafe

President Muhammadu Buhari has congratulated the Minister of Environment, Hassan Abdullahi, as he marks his 55th birthday on April 21.

In a congratulatory message by his media aide, Mr Femi Adesina, on Thursday in Abuja, the president rejoiced with the minister for many years of lofty achievements, especially in public service.

Buhari affirmed the loyalty, diligence, and sincerity of purpose of the former Minister of State, Science and Technology, “who brings his best to every responsibility and leaves an aftertaste of excellence in service, particularly in leadership.”

The president noted the contributions of Abdullahi to national development since joining the Federal Executive Council (FEC) in 2019, and the strides recorded in the local and global environmental issues.

He also lauded him for making policies of the administration to be felt at the grassroots, like the Ogoni Clean-up exercise in Niger Delta, tackling of erosions, updating on Environmental Impact Assessments and the Clean Energy Initiative.

Buhari commended the foresight and leadership of the minister in ensuring sustainability, restoration and protection of the environment, and his personal efforts in promoting youth involvement in governance through home-grown initiatives in Nasarawa State.

The president saluted the minister’s courage in successful legal practice for many years, before opting to serve the country in governance.

Buhari prayed that the Almighty God would keep and protect the minister and his family. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Salif Atojoko

Prof. Abubakar Sulaiman D-G, NILDS

By Abigael Joshua

TheUK-based executive education and management consulting firm, TEXEM UK, says the reappointment of Prof. Abubakar Sulaiman as Director – General (DG) of Nigerian Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS) is commendable

Speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja, TEXEM’s founder, Dr Alim Abubakre, a Nigerian-born British expert, congratulated Sulaiman, whose tenure of four years was renewed by Senate President, Ahmad Lawal and House Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila.

In the tribute, Abubakre said that Sulaiman’s drive for excellence, versatility, and commitment to nation-building has been evident since he first assumed the role of Director-General.

“He has tirelessly worked to promote the Institute’s vision of becoming a world-class academic and research centre for legislative studies, good democratic governance, and inclusive, sustainable development in Africa.

“Prof. Abubakar Sulaiman’s leadership has been instrumental in achieving significant milestones for the Institute.

“Under his guidance, the Institute has developed cutting-edge academic programmes, organized conferences, seminars, and workshops on various aspects of democratic governance which are actionable and critical for national prosperity,” he said.

Abubakre added that the Institute collaborated with national and international organizations to promote legislative studies and democratic practices in Africa.

He said Sulaiman’s commitment to excellence and innovation has earned him recognition both locally and internationally.

“Prof. Sulaiman’s contributions to the field of legislative studies and democratic governance have been acknowledged by numerous academic and professional bodies.

“These included the Nigerian Academy of Letters, the Nigerian Political Science Association, and the African Association of Political Science.

“Serving as a beacon and advocate of good governance and plenipotentiary par excellence is what distinguishes Professor Sulaiman.

“We are confident that Prof. Abubakar Sulaiman’s reappointment will bring new opportunities for the Institute to continue its mission with renewed vigour of promoting legislative studies, democratic governance, and development in Africa,” Abubakre said.

He said that TEXEM, UK celebrates Sulaiman for his impactful leadership and for having his position as Director-General of NILDS renewed.

“We agree with Shakespeare that ‘some are born great, some achieve greatness…we applaud you for being fantastic and grateful for your life which embodies excellence. We celebrate your laudable strides as exemplified by your eminent life.

“We pray that this renewed opportunity to serve will spur you to continue to champion good

governance, inspire strategic leadership and consolidate your rich, lofty and enduring legacy of selfless service to humanity,” Abubakre said

He said TEXEM UK wishes Sulaiman, whom he described as a visionary leader, all the best in his future endeavours and looks forward to continued success under his visionary leadership.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Sulaiman was reappointed in March for another term of four years by the President of the Senate, who is Chairman of the Governing Council of the NILDS, in consultation with the House Speaker.

The Institute is the academic arm of the National Assembly and runs undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in conjunction with the University of Benin.

The re-appointment of Prof. Sulaiman is to take effect from May 28. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Razak Owolabi

By Felicia Imohimi

The people of Emadike community, Ogbia Local Government Area (LGA) of Bayelsa has commended the Federal Government’s intervention in reclaiming their land from being submerged by flood.

Dr Azibapu Eruani, President and Chief Executive Officer of Azikel Group, made the commendation when he received Mallam Shehu Ibrahim, Permanent Secretary, Ecological Project Office (EPO) and his team in Yenagoa.

He said that the Federal Government reclaimed the land through EPO.

Eruani, the Contractor of Shoreline Protection and Reclamation Project in Emadike Community, described the presence of the permanent secretary for an on-the-spot assessment as a demonstration of the importance of the project and the commitment of EPO in achieving its mandate.

“The intervention has addressed two significant areas of protecting the community coastal borders and also preventing flooding.

“Emadike project is a testament of a project that is sited, executed, visited and being put to use. The community is very grateful to the Federal Government and EPO for the intervention.

“The project is the realisation of my late father’s dream who during his lifetime tried to address the flooding challenge and reclaim our land.

“My father, the then Chief of Emadike, had tried in vain to protect the community from the menace of flooding,” he said.

The Azikel group president said the project is challenging but it is worth the pains due to its relevant to the community and other neighbouring communities.

He said that when the whole of Bayelsa was submerged by flood in 2022, Emadike stood out. About 18 communities around Emadike were inundated and it served as refuge camp for residents of those communities.

Ibrahim said his visit was to carry out an inspection of shoreline protection and reclamation work in Emadike phase II, as well as the shoreline protection of Tombia and Agudama communities in Yenagoa Local Government Area.

He said that the perennial floods which had taken its toll on the community and its surroundings over the years came to an end in 2022, after the award of the contract for the project.

He said the scope of the intervention included 850 metres shoreline protection, using the sheet pile method to tackle ocean surge and a 16-hectare land reclamation using sand filling to stop the flood erosion that devastated the community.

”Through the execution of the project in Emadike, the community is now a safe heaven for shelter to neighbouring communities during the rainy seasons,” he said.

The permanent secretary expressed satisfaction over the level of the on-going remediation works at the shoreline protection and reclamation in the community, describing the facility as historic and impactful.

He noted that the project was one of the ecological intervention efforts of the Federal Government to tackle the coastal and flooding challenges in the community and to meet the yearnings of the people.

The EPO boss lauded President Muhammadu Buhari for approving the intervention for the community.

”This is the kind of intervention Mr President likes as it impacts the community directly.

“I am also impressed with how the community organised itself in terms of having the youth and vigilante vanguards to maintain and secure the facility.

“The project was awarded in July 2020 with a completion duration of 15 months,” he said.

Also, Hon. Graham Ipigansi, a resident of the community and former House of Representatives member, said that the community survived 2022 flood with the reclamation and shoreline protection works currently at 97 per cent completion.

“I call this a pilot project in the Niger Delta because during the 2022 flood disaster, all the neighbouring communities came here to take refuge being the only community that was not submerged by water in the whole of Bayelsa,” he said.

Similarly, The Chairman, Community Development Council, Mr Johnson Jeremiah, thanked Buhari for doing a great job for the community.

According to him, this has gone a long way in saving the entire residents of the community from flood.

However, Mr Ebipamowe Wodu of Toru-Ebi Konsult, said the contractor had met all specifications of the contract, giving the assurance of 25 years life span for the project. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Chinyere Bassey/Vincent Obi

By Angela Atabo

Connected Development (CODE) in collaboration with Transcorp Hilton have tasked the incoming government and Nigerians on the need for collective action to tackle climate change in Nigeria.

Mr Hamzat Lawal, the Chief Executive of CODE, made the call at an event to mark the “Earth hour 2023”  in Abuja.

Lawal said that the call was imperative to draw the attention of Nigerians on the effects of climate change and the need to collectively tackle it and save the earth.

“This event is important because as citizens, we have taken a stand that we are going to conserve energy.

“We are also conscious with the fact that over 100 million people do not have access to electricity.

“Over 60 million people do not have access to potable drinking water, over 80 million people go to bed in Nigeria today with empty stomach,” he said.

Lawal said that there was need to take a stand and take action to conserve energy and raise awareness.

“Most importantly, our incoming government should be inspired by this little action by citizens and complement our actions in putting in place a regulatory framework and policies that will garner action.

“Nigeria is committed to the framework on climate change, so what will be Nigeria’s position?

“So today as citizens, we are taking a position, we are inspiring other Nigerians to be conscious of how we can save the planet earth but most importantly recognise that I am earth, you are earth and each and every one of us is mother earth.”

Lawal expressed optimism that Nigeria would achieve its global commitment for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially on climate change action with the frameworks in place.

“So I am optimistic that the incoming government will build on what we have achieved and most importantly accelerate, because we have less than seven years to achieve the SDGs.

“I believe that if each and every one of us continues to reach out as Transcorp Hilton and CODE are reaching out, we will achieve the SDGs.’’

Mr Islam El-Maddah, the Hotel Manager of Transcorp Abuja, said that the hotel joined billions of people around the world to call for action on climate change by turning off all non-essential lighting for one hour.

El-Maddah said that this year’s theme: “Breathing new life into our movement and mission” reinforced the need to double social impact by 2030 by carrying out sustainable activities to curb climate change.

“Examples of these activities are diversion of recyclable materials to the landfills, championed by our environmental partner Chanja Datti.”

El-Maddah listed the Soap4Hope project, regular planting of trees among some of the hotel’s initiative to curb the effects of climate change.

“With our 2030 goal getting closer, there is the need for urgent action from you and I, business owners’ government and citizens around the world on the need to invest in our planet, to improve our environment and give our descendants a better and safer future.”

Ms Ijeoma Osuji, the E-commerce Manager, Transcorp Hilton Abuja, said that the hotel tried to communicate the message of how to protect the planet to the public.
Osuji said that to achieve the SDGs, hotel took some deliberate actions by recycling, reusing and repurposing things to avoid clogging the landmines with these waste.

“We use LED lights, energy saving bulbs and we are also using censored taps to avoid water wastage.

“We also plant trees, and we have planted 20 trees, this Wednesday. Last year, we planted over a 100 trees in local communities and within the hotel.

“We reuse our paper straws, instead of using plastics, we use paper cups, we use paper bags, not plastic bags, right now we are working very strongly to stop using plastic bottles as well,” she said.

Osuji urged the citizens to take these little efforts and collectively there would be a huge impact for safer earth. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Nick Nicholas/Grace Yussuf