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Govt launches Comprehensive 2024 Countrywide Risk Analysis

Michael Simire
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Govt launches Comprehensive 2024 Countrywide Risk Analysis

The Vice-President, Sen. Kashim Shittima, on Thursday, December 5, 2024, in Abuja, launched the Nigeria Hazard Risk Countrywide Analysis 2024 document.

Shettima
VP Kashim Shettima with other dignitaries at the inauguration of the 2024 Hazard Risk Countrywide Analysis

Shettima, at the launch, said that the document was conceived from extensive research.

He said that it aimed to enhance Nigeria’s readiness against ecological uncertainties by providing essential data for decision-making and implementing early warning systems.

The document was put together by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) in collaboration with UNICEF.

The report reflects a collective effort to build resilience and infrastructure necessary for disaster prevention and response, aiming to protect lives, property, and the environment.

The Vice-President said that a mature nation was one that anticipated future emergencies and planned accordingly, hence the need for the event.

He acknowledged the recurring crises in Nigeria, such as floods and health emergencies, underscoring the need for a robust disaster management framework.

According to him, the analysis empowers policymakers and community leaders with insights to devise strategies that reduce risks and save lives, transitioning from reactive to proactive approaches.

“The frequency and intensity of disasters in Nigeria has increased over the last decade, telling us all to rise to the occasion.

“This is why we can not afford to be caught unaware. While we may not be able to entirely prevent all disasters, especially the natural one, we can atleast mitigate it.

“This foundation will allow us to build effective risk reduction strategies and strengthen the resilience of our communities,” he said.

Shettima said that the report reflected the determination of the Federal Government, and also leads a strong foundation for enhanced preparedness and response across Nigeria.

“This is a moment for all stakeholders to collaborate in utilising this tool to reinforce the infrastructure for protecting lives, property, and the environment.

“This is the time of service we owe this great nation,” he said.

He commended NEMA and other stakeholders for their efforts in compiling the comprehensive report, which serve as a foundation for effective risk reduction strategies.

The Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Mr Benjamin Kalu, called for community-centered innovation.

Kalu urged legislators to utilise their constituency offices to drive risk-informed programmes and build grassroots capacity for disaster response.

He encouraged federal agencies to collaborate with federal constituencies, emphasising their proximity to the people and their vital role in disseminating crucial information.

He called for the shared responsibility of disaster management, while commending the contributions of international agencies, NGOs, and the private sector.

The lawmaker urged his colleagues in the National Assembly to utilise the insights presented to inform legislation, oversight actions, and strategic partnerships aimed at safeguarding lives and livelihoods.

He expressed hope that the inauguration would mark the unveiling of a document and also the beginning of tangible actions towards a more resilient Nigeria.

The Country Representative, UNICEF Nigeria, Cristian Munduate, said that the project was achieved under the leadership of NEMA, with technical support from UNICEF and generous contributions from the Swedish government.

“Over 400 representatives of relevant ministries, departments, and agencies at the federal and state level, academic institutions, as well as international organisations participated in this effort.

“Understanding risk is not just about data, it is about saving lives, protecting livelihoods, and ensuring that no one is left behind.

“In terms of emergency preparedness, knowing where floods tend to occur over the past 10 years can help, on the one hand, to prioritise investment,” she said.

According to her, together, with this document, we can transform risk into resilience and create a safer, more prosperous future for every child in Nigeria

The Director-General, NEMA, Mrs Zubaida Umar, emphasised the importance of periodically reviewing the risk analysis to align with the current hazard landscape in Nigeria.

Umar said that the analysis provided a detailed risk profile ranking hazards by severity and impact across different regions.

“UNICEF has been providing technical support since 2021, helping NEMA to collect and analyse hazard risk data.

“The collaboration aims to enhance Nigeria’s emergency preparedness and response capabilities.

“The updated risk analysis will inform the National Contingency Plan, enabling more effective disaster management strategies and humanitarian interventions across the country,” she said.

By Philomina Attah

Climate change: Stakeholders develop actionable strategies

Michael Simire
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Climate change: Stakeholders develop actionable strategies

In an effort to mitigate the impact of climate change, an NGO, Save the Slum Initiative (STSI), said it has developed a Local Adaptation Plan for Action (LAPA) to improve resilience for vulnerable communities.

Uba Sani
Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State

Samuel Adeyinka, Executive Director of the NGO, made this known on Friday, December 6, 2024, at a one-day dialogue to co-create LAPA in Kaduna.

Adeyinka explained that Save the Slum Initiative under the coordination of YaddyTech, Mscrissar Foundation with support from Nigeria Youth SDGs and the German Mission in Nigeria is engaging with community to dialogue on climate policy and action.

According to him, the aim of the dialogue forum is to share insights on community-driven adaptation measures needed to address vulnerabilities identified during earlier community dialogues.

He said the forum provided an inclusive platform for refining the first draft of LAPA, while fostering collaboration on actionable climate adaptation strategies.

Adeyinka said priority actions were being identified based on urgency, resource availability and impact potential as participants develope clear timeline for implementation and assigning leadership roles to specific stakeholders.

“Another critical component of the forum is the development of a monitoring and evaluation framework to ensure transparency and accountability,” he said.

The executive director said stakeholders would outline strategies for sharing the final LAPA draft with communities, government bodies and other partners.

“They also defined measurable indicators to track progress, proposed actionable recommendations for various stakeholder groups, including state ministries, CSOs, youth, and community leaders.

“This inclusive process reflects the unique challenges and opportunities within Kaduna State, making the plan more relevant and impactful for local communities.

“As the forum concluded, stakeholders expressed their commitment to implementing community-driven solutions to mitigate climate risks and improve resilience,” Adeyinka noted.

He said the LAPA initiative had positioned Kaduna State as a leader in developing inclusive, replicable frameworks for local climate action in Nigeria.

“With the combined efforts of organisers, stakeholders and supporting partners, this dialogue forum marks a milestone in Kaduna’s journey toward sustainable development and climate resilience,” he assumed.

Participants at the event included representatives from Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), Community-Based Organisations (CBOs), government officials, community leaders, and other key actors.

By Ezra Musa

Shell assures host communities of jobs to grow Nigerian content

Michael Simire
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Shell assures host communities of jobs to grow Nigerian content

Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Ltd (SPDC) on Friday, December 6, 2024, assured host communities in the Niger Delta of getting jobs to grow Nigerian content.

Osagie Okunbor
Osagie Okunbor, Managing Director, Shell Petroleum Development Company

Olanrewaju Olawuyi, SPDC’s General Manager, Nigerian Content, said this at the panel sessions of the 13th Practical Nigerian Content Forum organised by Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.

SPDC operates a Joint Venture with Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, TotalEnergies and Nigerian Agip Oil Company.

Olawuyi told stakeholders that the company had signed Community Content plans on specific services and supplies to be provided by communities in its area of operations.

According to him, such plans have been signed with Bonny and EA, with a third expected to be finalised next year.

“The Community Content plans set out in clear terms the services communities can offer and our role in supporting them. It is a mutually rewarding relationship.

“SPDC, which pioneered Nigeria’s oil and gas industry, has taken deliberate efforts to develop Nigerian Content in its area of operations in the past 60 years.

“The company has decided to pay particular attention to communities by giving them opportunities to develop their processes to industry standards.

“We’re not just giving opportunities to supply boats and other basic things; no, we are moving beyond that.

“We are talking about how communities can provide services, which capability we are going to build together in this relationship.

“So, we can tell that we are committed to building community capabilities and we see that there is a great future in this regard.

“It means communities can grow to supply goods and services not just to SPDC but to other international oil companies,” Olawuyi said.

He listed the scholarship awards and the NCDMB/Shell/PETAN as well as SAP internships as the platforms the energy firm uses to implement its policies on Nigerian content.

Olawuyi said: “All these are transformational. The testimonies of the individuals will touch and melt any heart; how their lives have been touched and how their fortunes have changed.”

The panel stress the need to involve professionals, youths and community stakeholders early in the implementation of projects to ensure they deliver the desired goals for companies and host communities.

By Nathan Nwakamma

Stakeholders to strengthen social, climate change procedures in IFAD projects

Michael Simire
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Stakeholders to strengthen social, climate change procedures in IFAD projects

Stakeholders have pledged their commitment to strengthening social, environmental and climate change procedures in IFAD projects for effective implementation of Social, Environment and Climate Change Assessment Procedures (SECAP).

Dr Priscilla Achakpa
Dr Priscilla Achakpa

The stakeholders made the commitment at the wrap-up of national workshop on SECAP organised by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)/Sustain International Programme on Friday, December 6, 2024, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

SECAP is a framework IFAD uses to assess the social, environmental and climate impacts of projects it supports.

The framework helps the organisation to ensure its projects meet its social, environmental and climate policies by guiding on how to identify potential risks and impacts; and avoid, minimise, reduce or mitigate them.

Dr Priscilla Achakpa, Climate Change expert and IFAD Consultant, said that the training was aimed at strengthening the capacity of IFAD-funded projects.

Achakpa said social, environmental and climate sustainability was critical in the achievement of IFAD’s mandate, adding that there was need for collective action in addressing impacts of climate change on agricultural development in the country.

She said that recent climatic challenges like floods among others had justified the need for reverse climate adaptation measures.

“The need to address climate change impacts must remain central to agricultural development initiatives.

“Effective project outcomes depend on inclusive and active participation of all stakeholders, including farmer organisations and decision makers at various levels.”

Achakpa said that the training was aimed at strengthening the capacity of IFAD-funded project staff and stakeholders in Nigeria to improve the quality of SECAP implementation of its projects and programmes.

“The workshop also underscored the importance of integrating social, environmental and climate standards into agricultural projects to promote resilience and sustainability.

“We need to sustain learning, share best practices and support ongoing implementation of social and environmental standards,” she said.

Jenean Pretorius, Lead, Capacity Strengthening, Centre for Learning on Evaluation and Results in Anglophone Africa, said her primary role was to lead capacity strengthening within monitoring and evaluation systems.

According to her, there is need to build capacity of project managers in the implementation of projects to ensure their adherence to SECAP standard.

Pretorius said that the gesture was to ensure standards were being adhered to; appreciation for local context and for local challenges to be incorporated into the interventions, among others.

She said financial investment was too meagre compared to what was required towards climate change impact mitigation across the continent.

“Governments need to do more; we need to find also creative ways of dealing with impact.

“I think more needs to be done in terms of indigenous knowledge systems; indigenous knowledge that our great grandparents have used and find how we can infuse that with modern technology,” she said.

Bemigho Wategire, Environment and Climate Change Officer in LIFE-ND and a participant at the workshop, commended IFAD for the training.

She said she was able to learn how to integrate SECAP in her area of coverage.

The training was organised by IFAD-Livelihood Improvement Family Enterprises (LIFE-ND) project for staff of IFAD-funded projects, Federal Ministries of Agriculture and Food Security, Finance, Economy, among others.

Participants, totalling 60, were drawn from IFAD-funded projects of LIFE-ND, Value Chain Development Programme (VCDP) and Special Agro-industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ) at the Federal and State levels, ministries of agriculture and finance among others.

By Felicia Imohimi

G20 reserves could blow 2ºC carbon budget despite wealthiest nations being ready to transition – Report

Michael Simire
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G20 reserves could blow 2ºC carbon budget despite wealthiest nations being ready to transition – Report

As South Africa begins its term as G20 President, a report has found that emissions from fossil fuel extraction across these 20 nations have almost doubled since the Rio Summit in 1992 and have been responsible for 73% of global emissions over those three decades.

G20 Summit
President Luiz Lula da Silva of Brazil (left) with President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa at the G20 Summit in Brazil

The analysis, entitled G20 Carbon Bombs: Threat of Fossil Fuel Reserves vs. Opportunity for a Just Transition, prepared by the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative with data from the Global Registry of Fossil Fuels, found that the G20’s richer OECD members – the USA, Canada, Australia, the UK, Germany, and Italy – are best placed to transition their economies away from fossil fuels first and fastest.

In fact, all major fossil fuel-extracting economies in the G20 are in a better position to tackle the transition than they were three decades ago, as fossil fuel extraction as a share of economic activity across the G20 has decreased – particularly in China, Mexico, Indonesia, Brazil, and India.

As South Africa begins its term as G20 President, there is a critical need to assess the impact this group of countries has on one of the greatest threats facing the world today. Fossil fuel reserves in G20 countries embed over a trillion tons of CO2 equivalent greenhouse gases – enough to blow not just the 1.5ºC but the 2ºC carbon budget.

Leaders of G20 nations gathered in Rio last month and issued a declaration reaffirming the outcome of COP28, which included a commitment to “transition away from fossil fuels”. Additionally, the Rio outcome makes just one mention of fossil fuels – reiterating the group’s commitment from 2009 to “phase-out and rationalise, over the medium term, inefficient fossil fuel subsidies”. However, in 2022 alone, G20 members spent $1.4 trillion to support the fossil fuel industry.

The omission of specific further commitments to phase out fossil fuels is particularly concerning given oil and gas projects under development across the G20 embed 70 billion tons of CO2 equivalent greenhouse gases, two-thirds of the global total.

Key Findings 

  • The G20’s richer OECD members – the USA, Canada, Australia, the UK, Germany, and Italy – are best placed to transition their economies away from fossil fuels first and fastest 
  • Emissions from fossil fuel extraction in the G20 have almost doubled since 1992 and have been responsible for 73% of global emissions over those 32 years.
  • Fossil fuel reserves in G20 countries embed over a trillion tons of CO2 equivalent greenhouse gases – enough to blow not just the 1.5ºC but the 2ºC carbon budget
  • The Business as Usual plans of G20 countries would release 850 billion tons by 2050, putting the world on track for 2.5ºC of warming or above.
  • However, all major fossil fuel-extracting economies in the G20 are in a better situation to tackle the transition than they were three decades ago, as they have more income from other sectors and less reliance on fossil fuel extraction. Fossil fuel extraction as a share of economic activity across the G20 has decreased – particularly in China, Mexico, Indonesia, Brazil and India. 

Despite the dwindling carbon budget and their recent commitments to “transition away from fossil fuels”, many of the wealthiest G20 nations have considerable fossil fuel expansion plans despite claiming to be “climate leaders”. This includes Australia, the world’s second-largest fossil fuel exporter with the largest pipeline of proposed coal export projects; Canada, which has tripled gas extraction over the past three decades; and the United States, which has more than a third of the expansion of global oil and gas production planned by mid-century. 

The report outlines country-specific, equitable, 1.5ºC-aligned fossil fuel phase out dates and the international financial support required to meet them as outlined in the Equitable Phase Out of Fossil Fuel Extraction report.

Kumi Naidoo, President of the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative, said: “Last month, G20 nations returned to Rio, the site of the Earth Summit in 1992. In those 32 years, these twenty countries have extracted fossil fuels that are responsible for 73% of global emissions – and many of the wealthiest countries in the group have plans to massively expand their coal oil and gas extraction and exports in the years ahead. This fossil-fueled insanity is threatening everything we love. Our own children will live in this future. Can you honestly look into their eyes and say you did everything in your power to stop it?”

Mitzi Jonelle Tan, climate activist for Fridays For Future Philippines, said: “This report lays bare the hypocrisy of the wealthiest G20 nations proclaiming themselves ‘climate leaders’ while relentlessly expanding fossil fuel projects that have driven us closer to catastrophe over the past 30 years. Their commitments to transition away from fossil fuels and phasing out subsidies ring hollow as they double down on extraction. For frontline communities, this isn’t just a betrayal – it’s a death sentence. It’s time for G20 leaders to step up, abandon empty promises, and fulfil their responsibility: no more fossil fuel expansion, only genuine climate action rooted in justice.”

Tori Tsui, climate activist, writer and Senior Advisor for the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty, said: “This report reveals a stark truth: the wealthiest G20 nations, responsible for the majority of global emissions over the past 30 years, continue to expand fossil fuel projects, failing both the planet and its people. A Fossil Fuel Treaty is crucial to hold these nations accountable, phase out extraction, and lead a global just transition that prioritises the communities bearing the brunt of their inaction.”

World Bank strengthens efforts to combat poverty, climate change with $100bn commitment for IDA21 replenishment

Michael Simire
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World Bank strengthens efforts to combat poverty, climate change with $100bn commitment for IDA21 replenishment

The World Bank Group has unveiled a record $100 billion financing package for the 21st replenishment cycle of the International Development Association (IDA21), the largest in the fund’s history. This commitment includes a joint contribution of $23.7 billion from 59 donor countries.

Ajay Banga
Ajay Banga, World Bank President

The IDA21 replenishment will provide critical support to low-income countries over a three-year period, from FY2025 to FY2028, strengthening global efforts to address poverty, inequality, and climate change.

The final commitments were made during the replenishment meeting in Seoul, South Korea, held from December 5 to 6, 2024, which brought together World Bank management, governments, and various other stakeholders. The IDA21 financing package surpasses the historic commitment of $93 billion made during the previous replenishment cycle (IDA20).

This funding is vital for 78 countries, including some of the world’s poorest nations, as they work to tackle pressing challenges such as poverty, food insecurity, conflict, fragility, debt burdens, and climate resilience. It is particularly significant for Africa, a major recipient of IDA support – in 2023, nearly 70% of all IDA financing went to African countries. Earlier this year, African leaders called for a replenishment of at least $120 billion in 2024. While the $100 billion allocated falls short of these calls, it still represents an overall increase in funding.

The announcement comes on the heels of a commitment by developed countries to provide $300 billion annually by 2035 for climate finance to developing nations at COP29 last month. However, many developing countries expressed concern that this amount falls significantly short of the financing needed to address the climate crisis. A key demand from these countries at COP29 was for financing to be provided on grant or grant-equivalent terms, given the high debt levels facing many low-income nations.

IDA remains one of the few international financing sources that offer grant financing for countries experiencing severe debt distress, which affects more than half of IDA-eligible countries and very low-cost financing to the remaining countries. Therefore, further to the announcements made at COP29, the IDA contribution will provide a boost to countries to help them meet their adaptation financing needs.

The development has however generated mixed reactions from stakeholders.

Savior Mwambwa, Programme Manager – Economic & Climate Prosperity, Open Society Foundations (OSF), New York, said: “IDA21 represents a critical holding operation – necessary and important – but it falls short of the transformative change we urgently need. The fundamentals of development finance are shifting rapidly, and we must keep pace.

“In the area of climate finance, despite extensive dialogue, there is still no clear framework defining IDA’s role within the broader climate finance architecture. The push for loss and damage funding at COP28 only underscores the urgency of establishing this clarity.”

Hannah Ryder, CEO, Development Reimagined: “From a borrower perspective, the result is a disappointment. The World Bank and donors of course will be keen to present this result as a win, especially in the context of so much bad news these days. And in some ways it is – it is a record in nominal terms and for some donors such as Spain it is a record in both nominal and real terms.

“However, overall, it falls short of modest African leadership calls for at least $120bn, especially because for some donors such as the UK their contributions were close to record lows, especially in real terms, and the commitment to a new climate finance goal made just a few days ago clearly did not factor into their calculations. So while African governments will duly welcome the continuty of IDA access, they will also digest the disappointing underlying message of maintaining the status quo whereby African governments will be the ones who have to work the hardest.

“They will need to work hard to access IDA for fairly small projects – on average $34 million – and will not be able to use this crucial instrument for transformational projects. Nor will IDA necessarily broaden the space for increasing education or health budgets. That space will remain highly constrained, especially in high-inflation environments and ever-increasing populations. Overall – it’s a a disappointing demonstration of what ‘global solidarity’ means today.”

Ndidi Okonkwo Nwuneli, CEO of ONE: “Today’s pledging conference was a bold breakthrough in leadership to provide the investments needed to create economic opportunities and healthier lives. Investing in IDA is not just a catalyst for growth – it is a chance to strengthen trust between G7 and African nations, fostering global stability and security. It is also an investment in the future. Thirty-five countries have moved from IDA recipients to donors, proving that with the right investment countries can become self-sufficient and support others to do the same.”

Amy Dodd, Independent Consultant: “At a time when the world is struggling through a climate crisis, challenging economic headwinds and deep political instability putting multilateralism under threat, a successful replenishment of $100 billion of the world’s biggest fund for the poorest people and places is something to celebrate. IDA’s ability to leverage contributions means every dollar in will be $3.50 out for countries struggling through what the Bank has called a ‘record’ debt crisis.

“This replenishment saw traditional IDA donors joined by 16 (check) new contributors, growing the donor base for IDA by almost a third. We know we need more to genuinely tackle the challenges the world is facing – but this is a great start and shows the world’s richest countries can do if they choose to pull together.”

Bill to prohibit gas flaring scales 2nd reading in House of Reps

Michael Simire
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Bill to prohibit gas flaring scales 2nd reading in House of Reps

A bill for an Act to prohibit gas flaring, encourage gas utilisation and provide for penalties and remedies for gas flaring violations and related matters has scaled second reading in the House of Representatives.

Gas flaring
Gas flaring

The sponsor of the bill, Rep. Benson Babajimi (APC-Lagos), in his lead debate on Thursday, December 5, 2024, said the bill represented a decisive legislative intervention aimed at addressing the “long standing and damaging” practice of gas flaring in the country.

According to him, it is firmly rooted in the Nigeria’s constitutional obligation to protect the environment and promote sustainable development.

The lawmaker said that the bill sought to prohibit the flaring and venting of natural gas, except in strictly regulated circumstances, while encouraging the utilisation of gas resources to foster economic growth and energy generation.

“It provides a robust framework for enforcement, monitoring and the imposition of penalties to ensure compliance.

“Furthermore, the bill aims to mitigate the environmental, health and economic impacts of gas flaring, aligning Nigeria’s oil and gas operations with international climate change commitments.

“Gas flaring has plagued Nigeria for decades, leading to severe environmental degradation, public health crises and economic losses.

“Environmentally, it contributes to greenhouse gas emissions, global warming and acid rain, exacerbating climate challenges.

“Public health impacts are equally dire, as pollutants from gas flaring cause respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, particularly among residents of communities close to flaring sites.

“Economically, flaring results in the waste of a valuable resource that could otherwise be harnessed for energy generation or exported to generate revenue,” he said.

Babajimi said that the bill provided for a comprehensive prohibition of gas flaring except in emergencies or when explicitly authorised by Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC).

He said that operators were required to submit and implement Gas Utilisation Plans, detailing how gas that would otherwise be flared would be captured, processed or commercialised.

“Offenders who violate these provisions face stringent penalties, including fines of $5 per 1,000 standard cubic feet of gas flared and potential suspension of operations for repeat violations.

“Furthermore, the bill ensures that communities affected by gas flaring are entitled to compensation and environmental restoration, creating a mechanism for redress.

“Transparency and accountability are integral to the enforcement framework of this bill.

“Operators must submit regular reports on gas flaring incidents, which will be audited and made publicly available by the NUPRC. This approach ensures public oversight and stakeholder engagement, fostering trust and compliance,” he said.

The rep said that the bill, when passed into law, would yield significant benefits like reduction in carbon emissions, thereby contributing to Nigeria’s climate targets and promoting sustainability.

He said that, economically, it would unlock the potential of natural gas as an energy resource, enhancing electricity generation, supporting industrialisation and creating jobs.

According to him, the public health benefits cannot be over-emphasised, as reduced flaring will limit air pollution and associated health risks for affected communities.

Babajimi said that Norway’s zero-flaring policy, for instance, had not only protected the environment but also maximised revenue from gas resources.

The lawmaker said that adoption of the bill would position Nigeria to emulate such success, ensuring a balance between environmental stewardship and economic development.

He said that the implementation would be overseen by Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, which would monitor compliance through regular audits and enforcement of penalties, while facilitating gas utilisation projects in collaboration with operators and development partners.

He stated that the Ministry of Environment and other relevant agencies would also play supporting roles, particularly in monitoring the environmental impact and ensuring remediation, where necessary.

Babajimi said that the bill was timely and a necessary response to one of Nigeria’s most pressing environmental challenges.

“Its provisions are both practical and forward-looking, addressing immediate concerns while laying the groundwork for a sustainable future.

“I urge all honourable members to support the second reading of this bill as a demonstration of our collective commitment to environmental protection, public health and economic progress,” he said.

In his ruling, the Speaker of the house, Rep. Tajudeen Abbas, referred the bill to relevant committees for further legislative actions.

By EricJames Ochigbo

Geologists task Lagos on robust groundwater management

Michael Simire
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Geologists task Lagos on robust groundwater management

Geologists have urged the Lagos State Government to consider engineered approaches to manage aquifer recharge, saline intrusion for a robust groundwater management system.

Geologists
Stakeholders at an engagement meeting on Love Lagos Love Groundwater in IKeja on Thursday

They made the recommendations at a Stakeholders Engagement on Lagos Groundwater Demonstrator Project held in Ikeja, Lagos, on Thursday, December 5, 2024.

The project is research of the University of Ibadan, University of Lagos, British Geology Survey, University of Aberdeen and Cardiff University, UK.

Dr Adrian Healy from Cardiff University, Wales, called for the development of a robust groundwater management strategy that could map groundwater productivity and vulnerability.

He urged government to monitor groundwater status and develop source protection strategies for abstraction.

According to him, the state should, in the medium-term, implement a managed transition that reduces reliance of households on their own groundwater supplies through investment in a reliable, trusted and effective public pipe water supply infrastructure.

“We believe that Lagos should initiate a ‘Big Conversation’ to enhance visibility and sustainability of the groundwater resource on which it relies.

“This should mobilise all actors, including households, to encourage users to know, love and protect Lagos groundwater,” he said.

Healy also urged involvement of communities in groundwater sanitation issues to realise the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals on ensuring access to clean and safe water.

In a paper titled: “Long-Term Groundwater Monitoring in Lagos”, James Akanmu, a Prof. of Water Resources and Environmental Engineering, University of Lagos, listed inadequate data, policy governance gaps and environmental concerns as some of the challenges of groundwater management in Lagos state.

According to him, there is need for more political and social support for standard including groundwater level monitoring.

Prof. Akinade Olatunji from the Department of Geology, University of Ibadan, Oyo State, emphasised on data for groundwater management.

Olatunji noted that data was key to ascertaining informed decision and to enlighten the public as per what the groundwater situation of the environment is.

“For example, data will help to know if the water in a particular area is good for consumption or not.

He advised that government should put in place a monitoring system to identify borehole points so as to take original data either on a monthly or quarterly basis.

“Also, monitoring agencies work should be premedicated on original data, not on speculations.

“Data such as surface water level, PH, salinity of this water and variation in the water quality are some of the data that must be taken,” he said.

Olatunji advised that government should have a collection of monitoring boreholes where they are able to collect this data, put them in a central database to make informed decision making.

Mrs Funke Adepoju, the Executive Secretary, Lagos State Water Regulatory Corporation, noted that groundwater faces numerous challenges from over-abstraction to pollution, to climate change impacts (drought).

According to her, collaborative efforts remain crucial to showcasing innovative solutions but also highlight the importance of working together.

She, therefore, called on government agencies, NGOs, academic institutions,the private sector and foreign partners to tackle the challenges surrounding groundwater sustainability.

Similarly, Dr Waliu Adeolu, President, Nigerian Association for Engineering Geology and the Environment, urged stakeholders to strengthen data collection and sharing through the establishment of a centralised database for groundwater monitoring data to improve accessibility and transparency.

“Enhance Regulatory Frameworks and thereby develop and enforce regulations to ensure responsible groundwater extraction and protect vulnerable aquifers.

“Educate the public on the importance of groundwater conservation and the need for sustainable water practices.

“By working together, we can safeguard Lagos groundwater resources for future generations and ensure the continued growth and prosperity of this vibrant city,” he said.

By Oluwatope Lawanson

Govt committed to protecting Nigerians against ecological risks – Shettima

Michael Simire
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Govt committed to protecting Nigerians against ecological risks – Shettima

Vice-President Kashim Shettima has reaffirmed the commitment of the Federal Government to protecting Nigerians and their means of livelihood against ecological and other risks.

Shettima
VP Kashim Shettima with other dignitaries at the inauguration of the 2024 Hazard Risk Countrywide Analysis

Shettima stated this at the inauguration of the 2024 Hazard Risk Countrywide Analysis aimed at strengthening disaster preparedness and mitigation efforts across the country, on Thursday, December 5, 2024, in Abuja.

The report was inaugurated by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) with technical support from UNICEF.

It offers a detailed analysis of Nigeria’s vulnerability to hazards such as flood, drought, and public health emergencies.

It also provides policymakers, emergency responders, and community leaders with critical data to improve early warning systems and enhance risk mitigation strategies.

Shettima said the document provided the foundation for understanding the magnitude of the challenges facing Nigeria.

He also said the report would empower the government “to move from reactive to proactive strategies in addressing disasters.

“This launch is a testament to our resolve as a nation to confront the uncertainties of our ecological realities with informed strategies.

“We are committed to protecting citizens from ecological risks while building the infrastructure and mechanisms necessary for disaster prevention and response.

“While we may not prevent every disaster, we can reduce their impact significantly by institutionalising risk assessment and continuously monitoring hazards and vulnerabilities.

“This analysis is not just a tool – it is a lifeline for building community resilience.”

Shettima said the recent devastating floods and outbreak of diseases like cholera had displaced thousands and claimed lives.

“These recurring disasters bring to the fore the urgency of robust preparedness mechanisms,” he said.

Shettima called for enhanced collaboration by stakeholders to address Nigeria’s vulnerabilities to disasters and climate change as well as building a safer and more resilient Nigeria.

He commended NEMA, development partners, and other stakeholders for their dedication in producing the report.

The Vice-President described the report as a landmark achievement that reflected the administration’s focus on proactive governance.

“This is not the conclusion of our efforts; it is the beginning of a new chapter. We must now work together to use this report as a springboard for policies and actions that will make Nigeria more resilient against future risks,” he said.

Shettima also expressed gratitude to international partners, including UN agencies and NGOs, for their contributions to the nation’s disaster preparedness and response initiatives.

“Protecting lives and property is a collective responsibility, and this launch symbolises the unity of purpose that we need to build a safer Nigeria,” Shettima concluded.

Earlier, Mr Benjamin Kalu, the Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, said the inauguration of the report was timely.

He reaffirmed the commitment of the House of Representatives to leveraging the findings of the report to make legislations that would impact crisis management and disaster mitigation.

Kalu identified three key areas of the National Assembly’s legislative support for disaster management to include strengthening of early warning systems; funding for risk mitigation and community-centered interventions.

This, according to him, is aimed at building grassroots capacity for disaster mitigation.

Sen. Kaka Lawan, the Chairman, Senate Committee on Special Duties, described the inauguration of the report as a giant stride and a step in the right direction.

He pledged the support of the Senate to the actualisation of the mandate of NEMA and other related agencies in the country, especially in enhancing the preparedness of the country to disasters and crises.

By Salisu Sani-Idris

Nigerian oil sector content performance level hits 56%, says NCDMB

Michael Simire
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Nigerian oil sector content performance level hits 56%, says NCDMB

The Nigerian Content performance level in the oil and gas industry has hit 56 percent in 2024, the Executive Secretary, Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Felix Omatsola Ogbe, has said.

NCDMB
The Executive Secretary, NCDMB, Felix Omatsola Ogbe in a group photograph with Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperipe Ekpo, Chairman, Senate Committee on Local Content, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and other dignitaries at the NCDMB exhibition booth at the ongoing 13th Practical Nigerian Content Forum holding in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State

He spoke on Tuesday, December 3, 2024, at the 13th Practical Nigerian Content (PNC) Conference and Exhibition holding at the NCDMB Conference Centre, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, attended by top government officials including the Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakp; Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri; and the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo.

Other industry leaders in attendance included the Chairperson, Senate Committee on Local Content, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan; chairperson, House of Representatives Committee on Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring, Boma Goodhead; the Secretary General of the African Petroleum Producers Organisation (APPO), Dr. Umar Farouk Ibrahim; and chief executives of international and indigenous oil and gas companies and operating and regulatory agencies in the petroleum sector.

The Nigerian Content performance level is calculated on year-on-year basis by the Monitoring and Evaluation Directorate of the NCDMB and is anchored on the ongoing projects in the upstream, midstream and downstream segments of the oil and gas industry.

Data is aggregated from total amounts expended on projects and the Nigerian Content component of the annual spend. The data is mined from statutory reports submitted by companies and the integrity those data is verified during Nigerian Content performance reviews and workshops and they must sync with the Nigerian Content Compliance Certificates (NCCC) on projects approved by the Board.

The Nigerian Content level stood at 54 percent as at December 2022 and 2023, increasing significantly from 26 percent in 2016 before the introduction of the Nigerian Content 10-year strategic roadmap. The latest increase marks a significant milestone in the Board’s march toward 70 percent Nigerian Content by 2027 as set out in its 10-Year Strategic Road Map (2017-2027).

The NCDMB boss also revealed that 312 Nigerian Content Plans have thus far been approved by the Board and that 402 Nigerian Content Compliance Certificates (NCCCs) were issued. Also, that the new Project Certification and Authorisation Directorate (PCAD) guidelines has reduced the Board’s touchpoints from nine to five, and the contracting cycle cut to six months, he confirmed.

Ogbe and a representative of the Bank of Industry (BoI) used the PNC Forum to sign an agreement on the Revised Nigerian Content Community Contractors Financing Scheme. The Fund addresses a critical challenge faced by local contractors in accessing much-needed funds for contracts awarded by oil and gas companies.

Under the new product paper for the fund, N15 billion has been earmarked for the fund and “the single obligor limit has been increased from N20 million to N100 million,” Ogbe hinted.

On the Nigerian Content Academy recently established by the Board for training to prepare Nigerians through a range of courses that cover every aspect of the oil and gas industry, from upstream exploration to downstream processing, he said new career paths and economic opportunities are being opened for local communities. The Academy was unveiled by the Ministers as part of activities marking the Forum.

The Executive Secretary gave an insight into the Back-to-the-Creeks Initiative which focuses on taking Nigerian Content benefits to local communities, especially developing basic educational facilities in communities and equipping youths in host communities with the skills needed to meet industry demands, and thus directly supporting the local content drive.

In his address, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, commended NCDMB for systematically aligning its local content policy initiatives with Federal Government’s gas development agenda.

The Minister listed the NCDMB’s support for compressed natural gas (CNG) projects, modular gas processing plants, manufacturing plants for liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinders, LPG depots, LPG terminals, LPG storage and bottling plants, gas gathering facilities, smart gas and detector alarm services, as critically important areas where the Board’s strategic intervention has made huge gains for the country.

He disclosed that “in the last 12 months, two critical gas projects were completed,” namely, SEPLAT Assa North and Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) Ohaji South, with a combined capacity of 600 million standard cubic feet/day. Also, the 300 MMscfd Kwale Gas Gathering (KGG) Hub and Injection Facility, jointly executed by Xenergy Limited and the NCDMB, were commissioned within the same period.

While reiterating that “gas will be the mainstay of Nigeria’s energy shift” as the world transits to renewables, he stated that government is “giving local businesses a chance to engage in gas distribution, processing, and power generation.”

With specific reference to the PNC Forum, he said the theme “Defining the Next Frontier for Nigerian Content Implementation” is “a call to action and a reaffirmation of Nigeria’s commitment to leveraging our local capabilities to drive energy security, economic growth, and environment sustainability.”

He charged the organisers of the Forum, namely, NCDMB and DMG Events Limited, to ensure that the event functions as “a spur for practical ideas that move our country closer to a promising and sustainable energy future.”

Also speaking at the event, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, commended the NCDMB for organising the Forum and for significant milestones recorded thus far since its establishment in 2010. He revealed that wherever he has been across Africa for oil and gas-related events, other countries want to come to Nigeria to learn from its local content success story.

On divestments by international oil and gas companies (IOCs) in the country, he said there is no reason to be alarmed as indigenous operating companies have adequately filled the gaps and thus significantly increased the country’s stake in the industry. He said the affected IOCs have not left the country but simply moved their investments and operations from onshore to deep offshore.

The Minister urged industry players to be strategic in their thinking, noting that “quality, standards and capacity developed have to be sustained” if the country is to be able to sustain the gains made so far.

With regard to strategies to deal with the decline in funding of oil and gas projects in Africa, in the wake of the global de-emphasis of fossil fuels, the Secretary General of the African Petroleum Producers Organisation (APPO), Dr. Umar Farouk Ibrahim, said the Africa Energy Bank (AEB) would be taking off in the second quarter of 2025, with the signing and ratification of the Establishment Agreement by the required number of countries. Its headquarters is to be located in Abuja.

In his remarks, the Bayelsa State Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, commended the NCDMB and industry stakeholders for putting together the event, and for the collaboration that has yielded remarkable developments in the petroleum industry.

He, however, reminded the industry captains that Bayelsa State accounts for about 60 per cent of the gas feedstock for the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) Project, Bonny, which has now progressed to Train 7, and thus deserves to have a train built within its territory.

In the organiser’s welcome address, Mrs. Wemimo Oyelana, Country Director (Nigeria) and Portfolio Director (Africa), DMG Nigeria Limited, said the theme of the Forum was “designed to spark forward-looking and transformative discussions,” and that “As the Nigerian energy sector continues to evolve, it is critical to address the next steps in advancing Nigerian Content.”

Other speakers included the Chairperson, Senate Committee on Local Content, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan; her counterpart in the House of Representatives, Boma Goodhead; the Minister of Power, Mr. Adebayo Adelabu; the Group Chief Executive Officer of Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mallam Mele Kyari; Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Gbenga Komolafe, and his Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Farouk Ahmed.

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