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How COP29 contributed to shaping inclusive, impactful global carbon market – TASC

Michael Simire
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How COP29 contributed to shaping inclusive, impactful global carbon market – TASC

Observers believe that the conclusion of COP29 marks another milestone in shaping the global carbon market, with several outcomes that bring increased clarity, integrity, and confidence to the voluntary and compliance carbon markets.

COP29
COP29 entrance

Welcoming the changes announced at COP29, Dr. Storm Patel, Commercial Director at The African Stove Company (TASC), said: “COP29 has marked a critical step toward creating a carbon market that is inclusive, transparent, and impactful.

“TASC is particularly encouraged by the measures that will enhance private-sector participation and streamline business operations. These developments create an enabling environment for growth of our portfolio of projects, bringing scalable and innovative solutions to the forefront of global climate action.

“The evolving rules under Article 6 represent a significant opportunity to support the growth of high-integrity carbon projects worldwide. By addressing potential challenges such as revocation risks while promoting clarity and market expansion, COP29 provides a roadmap for success.

“As one of Africa’s leading carbon credit project developers, TASC remains committed to aligning our projects with this framework to meet the global demand for quality carbon credits while delivering meaningful impacts for communities across Africa.”

TASC has provided more detailed commentary on some of the specific carbon market developments which were announced during COP29.

Breakthroughs for Private-Sector Engagement

One of the most significant outcomes of COP29 is the inclusion of mechanisms that TASC anticipates will open the door for host countries to directly engage with private entities in carbon trading arrangements. By not limiting participation to sovereign-to-sovereign models, this development paves the way for greater private-sector involvement.

Projects like TASC’s cookstove distribution and grassland restoration initiatives stand to benefit from these reforms, which create opportunities for scalability and reinforce the role of private developers as critical drivers of climate action.

Enhanced Safeguards and Clarity for Developers

The updated Article 6 guidance delivers long-awaited clarity on key areas, such as the requirements for Letters of Authorisation (LoAs). Uniformity in approval processes across host countries ensures that carbon projects meet international standards while eliminating risks of double-counting credits. For TASC, which is actively pursuing authorisations in Zambia and Zimbabwe, this creates a more predictable and streamlined pathway for project approval.

COP29 also addressed the contentious issue of revocation of host country authorisations. By establishing clear terms and restrictions – particularly limiting post-“first transfer” revocations to exceptional cases like fraud – the framework delivers much-needed stability to developers and investors alike. Additionally, the ability for host countries to define the “first transfer” (whether at authorisation, issuance, or credit use) enhances flexibility and transparency, allowing investors to incorporate these terms into their contracts with confidence.

Strengthening Market Integrity

The new rules also introduce mechanisms to enhance oversight and accountability. The UN Supervisory Body will now verify the consistency of information submitted by both host and acquiring parties, creating an additional layer of integrity.

Importantly, the outcome of the consistency checks and technical reviews we believe will be made public, ensuring transparency and further bolstering investor confidence. These measures align with TASC’s commitment to operating transparently and upholding the highest standards in the projects we develop.

Looking ahead, the methodologies under Article 6.4 are still under development. TASC is optimistic that their standardisation will reduce inconsistencies, bring global consensus to emissions reduction calculations, and avoid undermining the reputation of the carbon market. For these methodologies to be effective, it is essential that they prioritise accuracy over overly conservative approaches and account for local contexts, ensuring fairness for project developers and host communities.

Implications for Africa’s Voluntary Carbon Market

The dual-track approach endorsed at COP29 preserves a vital space for the voluntary carbon market to coexist alongside compliance frameworks. This flexibility enables voluntary projects, such as TASC’s initiatives, to scale while offering pathways into compliance markets. For Africa, where TASC operates some of the largest carbon projects, these decisions have the potential to catalyse market growth and foster sustainable development.

By creating clear rules, COP29 empowers African governments to translate international guidance into national policies, providing a fair and transparent playing field for developers. This positions Africa as a global leader in delivering climate solutions that simultaneously benefit local communities.

TASC is a global carbon project developer specialising in identifying, financing, and structuring commercially viable carbon projects, with experience in cookstove projects and other carbon project methodology initiatives.

Godwin Aritoba: Why Africa should not be dumping ground for dental amalgam

Michael Simire
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Godwin Aritoba: Why Africa should not be dumping ground for dental amalgam

African countries have poor resources and technology to manage mercury wastes, and African dentists desire to practice 21st Century mercury free dentistry (minimum intervention Dentistry-MID) not 19th century tooth destructive “drill and fill” dentistry (which is not evidence based).

Dental amalgam
Use of dental amalgam

While 21st century dentistry aims to keep all teeth and oral tissue healthy and functional for life, drill and fill dentistry often results in toothless “grandpa” smile in old age with poor oral and general health outcome.

The European Union has voted to ban the use, export and import of dental amalgam from its territory by January 2025.

Dental amalgam is a primitive 19th century pollutant – disastrous to the environment, harmful to dental workers, and a health risk to any dental patient – in particular children and young women. Therefore, the African continent unites to declare:

As required in the law of the Minamata Convention on Mercury, use of dental amalgam must cease now for children and for pregnant and breastfeeding women.

  1. The import of dental amalgam should be phased out in October 2025.
  2. The use of dental amalgam should be phased out in January 2026.

Dental amalgam’s mercury poisons fish which children eat, causing brain damage to some of them. It is horrible for them. We must switch to the alternative dental materials – which are non-polluting and tooth friendly.

The Minamata Convention on Mercury, since 2023, bans amalgam for children and for pregnant and breastfeeding women. The law must be enforced by our governments and dentists must obey it.

Consumers and parents should insist on mercury-free dentistry. Europe united to ban dental amalgam in their continent. Now Africans should unite to ban dental amalgam.

Mercury is the most vaporous of the heavy metals, and those vapors toxify the dental office. It is too big a risk for young women dental workers. Dental clinics should become mercury-free, now.

Mercury damages children’s brain even before they are born. Mercury also reduces the quantity and quality of men’s sperm.

Animal studies have revealed that mercury may also contribute significantly to the increasing prevalence of antibiotic resistance.

The alternatives to amalgam are now technically superior to amalgam. Amalgam is a tooth unfriendly historical relic from the 19th century outdated dentistry.

Manufacturers are exiting making amalgam – they know they have legal risks. The amalgam
supply is running out.

Our dental schools need to be mercury-free. Alternatives are effective and available. Mercury-free dentistry is 21st century dentistry. We need to train future generations of African Dentists in Mercury Free 21st Century Dentistry. We need to update the knowledge and skills of general dental practitioners.

We need to get our governments to finalise the national policy on phasedown/out of dental
amalgam, ban importation of dental amalgam, stop insurance payments for dental amalgam, as well as remove import duty and taxes on mercury-free filling materials (glass ionomer, composites, compomers, etc).

Prof. Godwin Toyin Arotiba is Chairman and Founder, Dentists Committee for a Mercury Free Africa

    Shell commits to support indigenous companies at Practical Nigerian Content forum

    Michael Simire
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    Shell commits to support indigenous companies at Practical Nigerian Content forum

    Shell companies in Nigeria are among more than 700 oil and gas entities taking part in the 13th edition of the Practical Nigerian Content forum in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, where they restated their commitment to the development of Nigerian companies through contract awards and scaling up of expertise.

    Shell
    At the ongoing Practical Nigerian Content Conference & Exhibition in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State… Shell Companies in Nigeria General Manager Nigeria Content, ‘Lanre Olawuyi, welcome the minister of state for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Heineken Lokpobiri to the Exhibition Booth of Shell

    The four-day conference, with the theme “Deepening the Next Frontier for Nigerian Content Implementation” began on Tuesday, December 3, 2024, and will see the hosts, Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) and participating companies review progress on the development of Nigerian content pertaining to the implementation of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Development (NOGICD) Act since it was enacted in 2010.

    Shell companies in Nigeria are participating at the forum with a strong message of support for Nigerian companies, having awarded contracts worth $1.98 billion to the businesses in 2023 in continuing effort to develop Nigerian content in the oil and gas industry. The contracts, awarded by the Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited (SPDC), Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company Limited (SNEPCo), and Shell Nigeria Gas (SNG), present a three percent increase from the 2022 performance of $1.92 billion.

    Business Opportunity Manager for SNEPCo’s Bonga South-West Aparo Project, Olaposi Fadahunsi, representing SNEPCo Managing Director, Ron Adams, told participants at the opening of the forum that several benefitting companies had taken advantage of the patronage to expand their operations and improve their expertise and financial strength.

    “Shell companies execute a large proportion of their activities through contracts with third parties, and Nigeria-registered companies have been key beneficiaries of this policy aimed at powering Nigeria’s progress,” Fadahunsi said. He commended the Nigeria Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) for ensuring compliance with the Nigerian Content Act.

    In addition to contract awards, Shell companies have implemented projects under the Human Capital Development Fund, including the Niger Delta University learning centre and digital library project and the Federal University of Technology Information Technology Hub. Both projects were inaugurated this year, in collaboration with SPDC Joint Venture partners – Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC), TotalEnergies and Nigeria Agip Oil Company Limited (NAOC).

    Other projects include the University of Lagos Geosciences Centre of Excellence, Nigeria Diving School and funding of ongoing research at the University of Ibadan to develop a synthetic-based drilling fluid.

    Shell Companies in Nigeria also continue to develop indigenous manpower through scholarship programmes with over 3,772 undergraduate and 109 Niger Delta post graduate scholarships since 2016.

    Fadahunsi added: “As we speak, beneficiaries of the 13th edition of the Niger Delta Post Graduate Scholarship awards are pursuing their studies in the United Kingdom. The employability rate of the scheme is high with over 98% of the graduates who won the awards securing employment in the oil and gas industry, academia and Information Technology, among other sectors, within one year of completing their studies. Nigerian content will continue to be an important part of Shell operations.”

    Newly launched Harmonised Cotton Extension Manual to transform farmer support in Zambia

    Michael Simire
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    Newly launched Harmonised Cotton Extension Manual to transform farmer support in Zambia

    Solidaridad, in partnership with the Cotton Development Trust, and the Cotton Board of Zambia, has launched the Harmonised Cotton Extension Manual, an innovative tool designed to address the challenges small-scale cotton farmers face due to fragmented and inconsistent extension services.

    Harmonised Cotton Extension Manual
    Participants at the launch of the Harmonised Cotton Extension Manual

    The initiative has been described as a key component of the RECLAIM Sustainability! (RS!) Cotton and P2P Cotton Project, spearheaded by Solidaridad.

    The manual, developed collaboratively by a team of technical experts under the Cotton Multi-Stakeholder Platform (MSP), standardises extension guidelines and practices for extension officers and lead farmers. It also incorporates a companion Farmer Guide – which is drafted in layman’s terms for easy understanding of practical good agricultural practices – to ensure accessibility and applicability for farmers across Zambia’s cotton production areas.

    “For years, the cotton sector has grappled with inconsistent messaging, which has hindered farmers from reaching their full potential. The Harmonised Cotton Extension Manual addresses this by providing unified, evidence-based guidance that will undoubtedly enhance productivity and sustainability across Zambia’s cotton landscape,” said Pamidzai Bota, Solidaridad’s Regional Programme Manager for RS! Cotton and Textile.

    The cotton sector in Zambia, which supports over 220,000 smallholder farmers, plays a vital role in the country’s economy. Despite its potential, many farmers achieve yields far below optimal levels due to poor farming practices and limited access to quality support services.

    “This manual is more than a document; it is a bridge connecting knowledge to action. By harmonising extension practices, we ensure that all farmers, regardless of their location, have access to consistent and effective guidance. This is a pivotal moment for Zambia’s cotton sector,” said Humprey Nxumalo, Head of Programmes, Solidaridad Southern Africa.

    The Cotton Development Trust, a critical partner in the initiative, reiterated its commitment to empowering farmers through the development of cotton farming technologies as well as providing extensions to increase their productivity.

    Lwisya Silwimba, Director of the Cotton Development Trust, remarked: “This collaborative effort showcases the strength of partnerships in driving sector-wide improvements. The manual’s standardised approach ensures that extension officers and farmers alike are equipped with the tools and knowledge to transform Zambia’s cotton sector.”

    Sunduzwayo Banda, Chief Executive Officer of the Cotton Board of Zambia, noted that despite production challenges, cotton is steadily gaining momentum in Zambia.

    “During the recent Cotton Day celebrations, we saw over 2,020 participants join us to celebrate the occasion. The book being launched today is designed with the farmer at its core. It simplifies processes step-by-step, from zero to 100, to minimise confusion and make things easier for our farmers,” he explained.

    In closing, Dr Chizumba Shepande, Director, Department of Agriculture, Ministry of Agriculture, Zambia, described the launch of the Harmonised Extension Manual and Farmer’s Cotton Guide as “a significant milestone in Zambia’s cotton sector.” He added that cotton is not just a crop, but a livelihood for thousands of families and a pillar of the nation’s rural economies.

    “By adopting the methods and practices outlined in this manual and guide, we can achieve higher yields, doubling and even tripling productivity through improved agronomic practices. (We can also achieve) enhanced quality – producing cotton that meets international standards, thereby increasing market competitiveness (and) sustainability – promoting environmentally friendly practices that preserve our soil and ecosystems for future generations,” concluded Dr Shepande.

    The launch event in Lusaka was attended by key stakeholders from the agricultural sector, including government officials, private sector representatives, and farmer leaders. Demonstrations of the manual’s practical applications were a highlight, illustrating how it will be implemented in the field to improve yields and livelihoods.

    The Harmonised Cotton Extension Manual embodies Solidaridad’s commitment to empowering smallholder farmers through sustainable, inclusive, and innovative solutions.

    NAERLS advocates insurance for farmers against climate change

    Michael Simire
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    NAERLS advocates insurance for farmers against climate change

    The National Agricultural Extension Research and Liaison Services (NAERLS) has advocated for provision of insurance coverage for farmers to mitigate the devastating impact of climate change on food security.

    Prof. Yusuf Sani
    Prof. Yusuf Sani, Director, NAERLS

    Prof. Yusuf Sani, Director of NAERLS, said this during the National Agricultural Extension Review and Planning Meeting on Tuesday, December 3, 2024, in Zaria.

    The Director said that policymakers must prioritise funding for climate-resilient agricultural initiatives and ensure that farmers have access to affordable inputs and improved insurance coverage against climate risks.

    He noted that the improved insurance could incentivise farmers to adopt climate resilient practices and enable the farmers to reduce risks associated with climate related disasters.

    “Climate change is no longer a distant reality; its impacts are here, reshaping ecosystems, altering rainfall patterns, and threatening food security across the globe.

    “For a nation like Nigeria where agriculture contributes significantly to GDP and employs over 70 per cent of the rural population, the stakes could not be higher,” he said.

    The director said that the challenges were particularly devastating for smallholder farmers, who form the backbone of food production.

    “Without proactive measures, climate change threatens not just food security but the livelihoods of millions of Nigerians,” he said.

    Sani, therefore, appealed for stronger partnerships with universities, research institutions, and other key players towards developing locally adapted and globally competitive innovations to mitigate the impact of climate change.

    Earlier, Prof. Kabiru Bala, Vice-Chancellor, Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, said the global climate crisis has left no sector untouched, adding that agriculture, which forms the backbone of Nigeria’s economy, was vulnerable.

    He noted, that across Nigeria, farmers were feeling the impacts of erratic rainfall, rising temperatures, and extended dry spells.

    According to him, these climatic changes threaten food security, rural livelihoods, and progress toward sustainable development.

    “In the light of these realities, the theme of this meeting, “The Climate Change: Rethinking Agric Research, Extension, and Cropping Pattern in Nigeria,” could not be more timely or relevant.

    “It calls upon us to rethink not only how we produce and distribute food but also how we conduct research, deliver extension services, and support our farmers in the face of new environmental challenges,” he noted.

    The V-C said as a leading institution of higher learning and research, ABU was committed to driving impactful agricultural research that addresses the evolving needs of farmers and communities.

    By Mustapha Yauri

    Some 3bn people globally impacted by land degradation – COP16 President

    Michael Simire
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    Some 3bn people globally impacted by land degradation – COP16 President

    Three billion people around the world are suffering the impact of poor and degraded land which will “increase levels of migration, stability, and insecurity among many communities.

    COP16
    COP16 President Abdulrahman Abdulmohsen AlFadley. Photo credit: IISD-ENB / Anastasia Rodopoulou

    The newly-elected President of a UN-backed conference on desertification, drought,t and land restoration, Abdulrahman Alfadley, said this at a conference in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

    Alfadley, the Saudi Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture was speaking as the 16th Session of the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) got underway in the capital of the Middle Eastern country.

    The meeting, according to UNCCD, represents a “moonshot moment to raise global ambition and accelerate action on land and drought resilience through a people-centered approach.”

    Globally up to 40 per cent of the world’s land is degraded, which means its biological or economic productivity has been reduced.

    This has dire consequences for the climate, biodiversity, and people’s livelihoods.

    Droughts, which is a priority issue at COP16, are becoming more frequent and severe, increasing by 29 per cent since 2000 due to climate change and unsustainable land management.

    The UN desertification convention was agreed upon 30 years ago and the organisation’s current Executive Secretary, Ibrahim Thiaw, highlighted the continued importance of restoring land lost to drought and desertification.

    “Land restoration is primarily about nurturing humanity itself,

    “The way we manage our land today will directly determine the future of life on earth,” he said in a statement.

    He spoke of his personal experience meeting farmers, mothers, and young people affected by the loss of land, saying: “The cost of land degradation seeps in every corner of their lives.”

    “They see the rising price of groceries, in unexpected energy surcharges, and in the growing strain on their communities,” he said.

    “Land and soil loss are robbing poor families of nutritious food and children of a safe future.”

    COP16 provides the opportunity for global leaders from governments, international organisations, the private sector, and civil society to come together to discuss the latest research and chart a way forward to a sustainable future of land use.

    Together the world can “reverse the trends of land degradation,” Thiaw said, but only if “we seize this pivotal moment.”

    In a video address to the conference, the UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed urged delegates at COP16 to play their part and “turn the tide,” by focusing on three priorities including strengthening international cooperation.

    She said it was also crucial to “ramp up” restoration efforts and work towards “the mass mobilisation of finance.”

    Financing these efforts is going to be challenging, and is unlikely to come from the public sector alone, but according to the UN deputy chief, “cumulative investments must total 2.6 trillion dollars by 2030.

    “That is what the world spent on defence in 2023 alone.”

    Speaking on behalf of civil society organisations attending the conference, Tahanyat Naeem Satti called for “ambitious and inclusive action at COP16.”

    She said, “Meaningful participation of women, youth, Indigenous Peoples, pastoralists and local communities in decision-making at all levels must be institutionalised.”

    She emphasised that “their insights and live experiences are critical to shaping policies that effectively address land degradation and promote sustainable land management and restoration.”

    The conference is set to last two weeks until Dec. 13 and there will be some intense discussions and negotiations as delegates push towards the following outcomes.

    By Cecilia Ologunagba

    International Day of No Pesticide Use: A call for caution, accountability, action

    Michael Simire
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    International Day of No Pesticide Use: A call for caution, accountability, action

    Today, Tuesday, December 3, 2024, as we observe the International Day of No Pesticides Use, it is crucial to highlight the urgent need for caution and action regarding pesticide use globally, particularly in Nigeria. This day serves as a reminder of the potential dangers posed by pesticides and calls for a halt in their trade and application. It is also an opportunity to urge the European Union (EU) to address its double standards in pesticide regulation and to call upon the Nigerian government to take decisive measures to reduce pesticide usage.

    Pesticide
    Use of pesticide

    Today, many are not just breathing toxic pesticides in fields, stores, schools and office, we are eating and polluting our environment – water, soil and air. Trend and practices, suggest that we have them in our blood, and they are not making us any healthy.

    Pesticides are used in agriculture, for disease vector control and in domestic and municipal settings for the control of pests such as rodents, insects, fungi and weeds. However, the continuing use of hazardous pesticides presents major public health and environmental issues of global concern. People have a right to choose the type of chemicals they want to expose themselves, their family, and their children to, and nobody is allowed the right to deprive anyone of all the necessary information needed to enable them to make that individual choice.

    Users can make better decisions about which products to use or whether to use pesticides by being aware of the risks associated with them. The three factors that determine the likelihood of pesticide related biodiversity loss and health problems are – (1) exposure level, (2) pesticide toxicity, and (3) access to comprehensive information.

    On exposure level, over 94% of farmers use chemical pesticides in Nigeria, over 80% of these pesticides are Highly Hazadious Pesticides (HHPs), sold in open markets and villages – by anyone and to anyone. This excludes the number of grain and food sellers who use these pesticides for storage and preservation. Over 85% of farmers who use and apply these pesticides do not use Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) nor do they know how to apply them properly (this excludes those that are in the fumigation business for offices, schools, homes, gardens and hotels).

    In 2018, over 270 people in a community in Benue state died because of pesticide – Endosulphan in their community river. Most HHPs are Persistent pesticides, meaning they can be in the environment for months and years (up to 10 years) seeping into ground water and plants. The high exposure rate of the population to pesticide evidenced by the continued open sales of these poisonous chemicals in open spaces, accounts to the increasing suicide rates in Nigeria.

    To prevent suicide and self-harm, the World Health Organisation WHO’s LIVE initiative recommends amongst others, stringent measures to limit access to the means of suicide (e.g. pesticides, firearms, certain medications). According to a 2022 study on media reports on suicide in Nigeria, the commonest method used for suicide is pesticide ingestion (56.8%) followed by hanging (27.1%).

    Nigeria imports approximately 147,446 tonnes of pesticides annually, making it one of the largest importers in Africa. Historically, pesticide application was estimated at 125,000 to 130,000 metric tons per year as of 1998. A survey indicated that 75% of women farmers experienced health issues related to pesticide use, including respiratory problems and skin rashes.

    On the toxicity level, a recent report by the Alliance for Action on Pesticides in Nigeria (AAPN) a loose alliance of over 80 CSOs, farmers, researchers and Academia in Nigeria shows that of the 30 common pesticide active ingredients reviewed in Nigeria in 2023, 25 are categorised as Highly Hazadious Pesticides (83.3%), three are categorised as Moderately Hazardous Pesticides, one falls under the category of Slightly Hazardous Pesticide.

    Scary but very true, the Dossier shows that 60% of the pesticide active ingredients in products sold and used in Nigeria are cancer-causing (60%), 73% of them cause endocrine disruption, 63% are immunotoxins, 60% will cause hard to the brain function – neurotoxic, and 60% toxic to the reproductive system.

    The increasing new cases of cancer and Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) serve as evidence to these truths. These chemicals are in fruits, vegetables and grains – we eat them; while over 70% of our food exports are rejected in Europe for many reasons including the presence of these toxic pesticides, many of which are already banned in the Europe.

    More than 58% of registered pesticides in Nigeria contain active ingredients that are banned in the European Union. This includes hazardous substances like chlorpyrifos and Paraquat.

    On access to information, farmers are constantly blamed for pesticide hazards, even when the manufacturers and marketers of these toxic pesticides refuse to inform the famers and consumers of the full risk and dangers associated with their products (just as their counterparts in the tobacco industry now do). Hypocritically, most of the companies that have the patents to producing these toxic pesticides are in Europe – but the European law permits these companies to continue the production and export of the toxic substances to poor developing countries where they know hospital do not work, regulation to ensure some safety measures are lax, market practices also unregulated and national political integrity questionable.

    Today, as we mark the International Day of No Pesticides Use, we must reflect on the grave implications of pesticide use on public health, the environment, and sustainable agriculture. This day reminds us of the urgent need to address the unchecked proliferation of pesticides, especially in countries like Nigeria, where regulatory frameworks are either weak or poorly enforced. It is also an opportunity to amplify calls for global accountability, including urging the European Union (EU) to end its double standards in pesticide. A 2022 report by Public Eye revealed that European companies exported 81,000 tons of pesticides containing hazardous chemicals to developing nations, including Nigeria, in a single year.

    The EU’s stance undermines its commitments to human rights and environmental sustainability. If these pesticides are unfit for European farms, they should not find their way into Nigerian markets. This double standard has been widely criticised as a clear violation of human rights and environmental justice principles. If these pesticides are deemed unsafe for use in Europe, why should they find their way into Nigerian farms and markets?

    Nigeria’s government must take decisive action to address this crisis by strengthening regulatory frameworks to ensure that all pesticides entering the country meet international safety standards and are properly registered. It should also invest in and promote sustainable agricultural practices, such as integrated pest management and agroecology, to reduce reliance on chemical pesticides. Capacity building is essential, with efforts focused on training farmers and agricultural workers in the safe handling, application, and use of pesticide alternatives. Furthermore, immediate steps must be taken to halt the importation and distribution of banned or hazardous pesticides.

    As we mark the International Day of No Pesticide Use, we must reaffirm our commitment to creating a safer, healthier, and more sustainable agricultural system, not just in Nigeria, but globally. A future free from the toxic burden of hazardous pesticides is achievable, but it requires collective action – from global powers like the EU to grassroots movements led by organisations such as AAPN.

    Let this day serve as a reminder that the health of our people and the planet must never be compromised or traded. Together, we can end the double standards and build a food system that prioritises life over profit.

    By Donald Ikenna Ofoegbu, programme manager of the Henrich Boell Stiftung Nigeria, and a coordinator of the Alliance for Action on Pesticide in Nigeria (AAPN)

    Clean-up to benefit all Ogonis irrespective of social status – HYPREP chief

    Michael Simire
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    Clean-up to benefit all Ogonis irrespective of social status – HYPREP chief

    The Project Coordinator of the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP), Professor Nenibarini Zabbey, has reiterated that the project, in line with its policy of inclusivity, will benefit all Ogonis irrespective of their social status.

    HYPREP
    Participants at the one-day life skill workshop organised by HYPREP for over 160 Ogoni People with Special Abilities in Port Harcourt

    Prof. Zabbey made this assertion recently at a one-day life skill workshop organised by HYPREP for over 160 Ogoni People with Special Abilities in Port Harcourt, noting that no Ogoni person would be left behind in the project.

    Prof. Zabbey, who was represented at the workshop by the Head, Sustainable Livelihood, Mrs. Josephine Nzidee, explained that the workshop, a top-bottom approach, was part of a needs assessment to identify skills for members of the group, preparatory for a livelihood training programme.

    She stated that the workshop was aimed at creating awareness, building confidence and educating people with special abilities on societal integration and alternative sources of livelihood in line with HYPREP’s core mandate to restore livelihood in Ogoni.

    President of the group, Ngobaridapdoo Joy, commended the PC for the gesture, noting that this was the first time the Project was organising such an interface which gives them a sense of belonging and inclusivity, further demonstrating the robust relationship that exists between the association and HYPREP.

    The participants, drawn from the Local Government Areas, were trained on prospects and alternative sources of livelihood, health and physical challenges for persons living with special abilities and general security tips for people living with special abilities. Participants also filled the assessment forms and select training in 15 skill sets.

    The Project, according to HYPREP, has continued to drive its policy of exclusivity, ensuring that everyone has a stake in its programmes including the vulnerable and under-served community.

    “It has increased female participation from 5% to 40% and now offering this special group the opportunity to acquire skills to better their lots.”

    Tinubu on mission to transform Abuja satellite towns to cities – Wike

    Michael Simire
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    Tinubu on mission to transform Abuja satellite towns to cities – Wike

    President Bola Tinubu is on a mission to transform satellite towns in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to cities, says FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike.

    Nyesom Wike
    Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory of Nigeria

    Wike, who stated this during the inauguration of the construction of Kabusa to Takushara Road in Abuja on Tuesday, December 3, 2024, added that the Tinubu administration had taken governance to the grassroots of Abuja.

    He said that the Tinubu administration was committed to bringing development and governance to rural communities across the FCT.

    “One of the promises Tinubu made is that look, all people in satellite towns, do not think that the government is about cities, we will also turn satellite towns to cities.

    “One of the things to do, is to construct roads for you, and I can assure you, it is not about flagging up road projects, in the next six to seven months, I want to assure you we are going to commission this project.

    “For the first time roads were being constructed in rural areas and are being fitted with streetlights.

    “It has never happened before and I want to assure you that the government of President Tinubu will not fail you,” Wike said.

    He added that the Kabusa to Takushara Road would be fitted with streetlights to light up the road at night, making life a bit more comfortable like those in the cities.

    The minister thanked the residents of Kabusa for believing in Tinubu’s administration and assured them that the funds needed to complete the project had been made available.

    Wike, who called for the continued support of the residents, disclosed that another contract would be awarded on Wednesday for the construction of Kabusa to Ketti road as part of the Tinubu rural transformation agenda.

    “What we are doing today is what the Tinubu Renewed Hope Agenda is all about – give hope back to our people.

    “I am happy that if not for the government of Tinubu, I wouldn’t have known Kabusa and Takushara,” he said.

    Wike urged the contractor to employ the locals to enable them to feed their families.

    Earlier, Mr Richard Dauda, Director Engineering Services, Federal Capital Development Authority, said that the project was in line with the FCT Administration mandate to provide infrastructure and services to the entire territory.

    Dauda explained that the 9.8-kilometre road project, a 7-metre two lane carriageway with shoulders and streetlight, was awarded to Allied Technical and Construction Company Ltd, and expected to be completed in six months.

    He explained that the road would connect several communities namely Kabusa, Teta, Tasha, Sauka and Takushara and enhance socio-economic activities in the area.

    “The road, when completed, will provide a safe and comfortable road for both vehicles and pedestrians and allow free movement of agricultural products from the hinterland into the city.

    “The project will also create direct and indirect jobs and provide quick and timely response to emergencies and quick access to health services,” he said.

    The Kabusa to Takushara Road is the third road to be constructed by the Wike-led FCT Administration.

    By Philip Yatai

    Breathing life into land: Tackling Africa’s dual crisis of air pollution, land degradation

    Michael Simire
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    Breathing life into land: Tackling Africa’s dual crisis of air pollution, land degradation

    Across Africa, the land we stand on and the air we breathe are both rapidly being eroded. From the arid parts of the Sahel to bustling urban centres, air pollution and land degradation are wreaking havoc on multiple fronts. Africans pay for them in income, food security, climate stability and public health.

    COP16
    L-R: Johan Rockström, Director, Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research; Osama Ibrahim Faqeeha, COP16 Presidency; Ibrahim Thiaw, Executive Secretary, UNCCD; Xenya Scanlon; and Yazan Neme, UNCCD Secretariat, addressing a press confrence at COP16. Photo credit: IISD/ENB | Anastasia Rodopoulou

    Robust national and regional strategies are key, ideally along with global targets. The continent’s leaders have an opportunity to set these at the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) COP16 holding in Riyadh.

    Air pollution ranks among the leading environmental health risks globally and is responsible for one in nine deaths globally. In Africa, this translates to over 400,000 premature deaths annually, often linked to dust storms caused by land degradation, desertification and deforestation. Meanwhile, two-thirds of the African continent is desert or drylands, further worsening air quality and reducing agricultural productivity, affecting both urban centers and rural and cross-border area.

    With 70% of sub-Saharan Africa population under the age of 30, many of whom directly dependent on land and natural resources for sustenance, there is a pressing need to tackle the interconnected challenges of air pollution and land degradation.

    Degraded lands release dust and pollutants that worsen air quality, while air pollution accelerates soil degradation and desertification. A unified approach to bridge the gap between sustainable land management and effective air quality governance can break this vicious cycle and enhance the resilience of African populations.

    Deforestation, agricultural emissions, and dust from degraded lands are some of the sources of air pollution that impact entire regions. The transboundary nature of air pollution further complicates mitigation efforts, as pollutants move across borders, affecting countries beyond their source. Discussions at the recent 10th Special Sessionof the African Ministerial Conference on the Environment (AMCEN) emphasised the need for coordinated action to mitigate these impacts, underscoring that countries cannot effectively tackle these problems alone.

    The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) presented a 2023 Guide on Ambient Air Quality Legislation to support countries aiming to strengthen or develop national air quality legislation and governance frameworks. To address immediate pollution sources, but also mitigate long-term impacts such as land degradation, the Guide emphasises the importance of robust governance systems, cross-sector collaboration, monitoring systems, and actionable and enforceable standards on air quality.

    UNEP’s efforts, through the Montevideo Environmental Law Programme, to promote air quality legislation align closely with the broader environmental goals set for UNCCD COP16 to combat desertification and promote sustainable land management. By incorporating air quality provisions that regulate emissions from unsustainable agricultural practices and deforestation into domestic legislation, African countries can enhance their holistic environmental governance.

    Robust national air quality legislation enforces strict emission controls, promotes sustainable land use practices, and invests in monitoring systems. To ensure these laws are effectively implemented, building institutional capacity is essential. Furthermore, because pollutants transcend political boundaries, cross-border agreements and regional collaboration are essential to addressing transboundary pollution.

    Cote d’Ivoire is one of the first African countries to have begun working with UNEP to align domestic legislation and regulation on air quality with global best practices. This helps ensure national policies are well designed and can be effectively implemented.

    Integrating robust air quality governance frameworks into national and regional policies offers a pathway to reducing pollution and addressing its impact on land and livelihoods. This will achieve much of what is needed to break the cycle where degraded lands contribute to poor air quality, which in turn drives further degradation.

    The time for decisive action is now. As the 10th AMCEN Special Session set the stage for discussions at the UNCCD COP16 in Riyad, air quality governance should be prioritised in environmental policy. This integrated approach requires commitment, resources, and international cooperation. These will hugely pay off countries in public health, economic growth, and help build a resilient future for all, across Africa.

    By Patricia Kameri-Mbote, Director of the Law Division, United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)

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