The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has charged its officials to leverage on technology for emergency and disaster management in the country.
Zubaida Umar, Director General, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA)
The Director-General of the agency, Zubaida Umar, said this on Wednesday, October 9, 2024, in Benin City, Edo State, during the 2024 Customers Service Week of the agency with the theme: “Above and beyond”.
Umar noted that the agency’s customers, whether victims of natural disasters, displaced persons, or communities impacted by disasters, relied on the agency to provide timely, efficient, and compassionate assistance.
Umar, represented by Dahiru Yusuf, Head of Operations in the Benin office, urged officials of the agency to continue to seek ways to improve service delivery to victims of disasters.
“We are in an era where technology is changing the landscape of emergency management, from early warning systems to disaster mapping and response coordination tools.
“Therefore, let us embrace innovation and continuously improve our systems and processes to better serve the public,” she said.
According to her, the complexity of emergency situations required collaboration across different departments and external partners.
He added that by working together, sharing knowledge, and supporting each other, the agency could achieve even greater success in fulfilling its mission.
She called on the officials to reaffirm their commitments to working tirelessly in achieving excellence in service delivery, innovation, and teamwork in their duties.
Residents of Ikpoba-Hill in Ikpoba-Okha Local Government of Edo State on Wednesday, October 9, 2024, took to the streets, barricading the busy Ikpoba Hill Road, to protest the state government’s failure to dredge the Ikpoba River.
Ikpoba River
The river, during rainy season, often overflows its banks, destroying homes and leaving many displaced.
According to Ken Omusi, youth leader of the community, Gov. Godwin Obaseki had promised in July that the contract for the river’s dredging had been awarded to a contractor.
Omusi said that no equipment nor workers had been mobilised to the site since July, when the state government allegedly gave the contract.
He said the river’s overflow had caused massive erosion in the community and destruction of lives and property.
According to him, members of the community wept when floods swept away a young boy recently.
A resident, Mrs Ijeh Isoken, lamented the loss of personal effects and the tragic loss of the young boy.
“We’ve been searching for his body, even hiring divers, but to no avail.
“We beg the governor to intervene to prevent another tragedy,” she said.
“The community is calling on the state government to mobilise the contractor to start dredging the river.”
The Edo State Government had recently announced plans to dredge the Ikpoba River to address flooding, including the development of the Benin Port Project.
Minister of State, Petroleum Resources (Oil), Sen. Heineken Lokpobiri, has rejected claims made by a representative on his behalf that he directed the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) to stop running its own refineries and focus solely on equity participation in other refineries.
Sen. Heineken Lokpobiri, Minister of State Petroleum Resources (Oil)
In a statement made available to EnviroNews, Dr Lokpobiri said that the assertion, which neither represents his position as a Petroleum Minister nor reflects the stance of the Federal Government of Nigeria, is false.
Lokpobiri submitted: “My attention has been drawn to statements made by Engr. Kamoru Busari, Director of Upstream in the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, who represented me at a recent conference in Lagos. I wish to categorically state that the claim that I directed the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) to stop running its own refineries and focus solely on equity participation in other refineries is false. This does not represent my position as Minister overseeing the oil sector, nor does it reflect the stance of the Federal Government.
“It is important to clarify that NNPCL is a company governed under the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA), with a functional board and management. The Ministry of Petroleum Resources does not control or run NNPCL, as it operates independently like any corporate entity.
“The oil and gas sector is fully deregulated, and the Nigerian government remains committed to promoting in-country refining. We encourage companies, including NNPCL, to operate independently, following global best practices. While we provide strategic guidance, we do not interfere directly in the operations of these companies.
“I reaffirm our commitment to supporting the growth and independence of NNPCL, ensuring that its operations are in line with international standards for efficiency and transparency and profitability.”
Environmental activists have called on African governments to enact laws and policies that protect the environment from methane emission, as the world moves towards zero waste and climate change mitigation.
Fruit waste. Waste is a major source of methane. Photo credit: Liz Martin / SourceMedia Group News
This was stated at a side event organised by GAIA Africa, in collaboration with Community Development Advocacy Foundation (CODAF), Centre for Earth Works (CFEW), Zero Waste Senegal and Andasonia Green, as part of the ongoing African People’s Counter Cop by the Africa Climate Justice Collective (ACJC) holding in Sally Senegal.
Presenting a document with the theme, “Zero Waste As A Solution”, Coordinator of GAIA Africa, Niven Reddy, stated that waste is the third largest source of methane, primarily from landfilling organic waste, which is over 80 times as potent as CO2.
He also revealed that the fastest and most economical way to reduce emissions from organic waste is to simply stop putting the waste in landfills, by scaling up proven organic waste management strategies.
”Many of plastic’s worst impacts, such as greenhouse gas emissions and toxic air emissions, occur primarily in the production phase. If the lifecycle of plastics were a country, it would be the fifth largest greenhouse gas emitter on Earth!
“Other problems, such as the transfer of toxic compounds into food, happen in the use-phase, while non-recyclability of most plastics is an end-of-life issue.”
Sharing reports on a recent survey, Coordinator of Adansonia Green, Farima Tidjani, revealed that 95% of waste in Senegal is made up of plastic, which has become a problem to the environment. According to her, the only way to mitigate this environmental gap is by implementing organic waste management systems, promoting composting, recycling and producing materials that can be reused.
“In our efforts to reduce methane emissions, we work in the field of plastic waste management in our communities. We also evaluate waste consumption and we create employment through organic waste. Today we are in reuse because through this we promote recycling and reuse of waste, we ask our communities to kindly move to reuse through household waste management. Through this method, waste pickers are made useful, we have less water pollution, and organic waste can be transformed into chemical fertilisers”.
Also speaking at the event, Desmond Alugnoa who is also representing GAIA Africa in Senegal revealed that 200,000 tons of plastic waste are produced yearly in Senegal, while 250 tons of plastics are produced per day in Dakar, which is caused by lack of infrastructure and policies for the management and recovery of plastic waste.
He revealed that the government of Senegal had enacted laws on plastic, which only succeeded in eliminating plastic cups from the environment, but did not remove single use plastic. He added that these laws were hindered by the rigidity of certain provisions, failure to take into account a commission responsible for managing offences relating to plastic products, the absence of an explicit provision on the period granted (either six or eight months) to plastics players to comply with the law at the level of transitional provisions, the absence of popularisation throughout the national territory and the absence of implementing regulatory texts.
On her part, CODAF Project Manager Environment, Melody Enyinnaya, stated that Nigeria is one of the African countries battling with policy around waste management. According to her, there are false solution around zero waste management laws as it concerns methane reduction, which has hindered actions by environmental enthusiasts and activities.
She opined that the first step to achieving a zero waste economy is by pushing policies that insist on waste segregation from source, and the enactment of real solutions to methane reduction and enforcement of already existing waste management laws.
Some of the demands made at the GAIA side event at the APCC called for policies that puts into priority, the wellbeing of waste pickers, laws on segregation of waste from source, policies that put an end to open dumping and littering, and real solutions to methane reduction.
They also demanded that governments must enact laws that insist on extended producers responsibility processes where Management of plastic waste will move from consumers to producers, stressing that producers must take full responsibility of the waste they produce.
The African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF) has officially launched a Good Agronomic Practices (GAP) training programme aimed at enhancing the skills of cassava farmers and processors in southwest Nigeria. The programme, which targets over 6,000 beneficiaries, is particularly focused on empowering women and youths.
Participants at the AATF training programme
The weeklong training, facilitated by the National Root Crops Research Institute (NRCRI), Umudike, kicked off with the first batch of 1,000 participants, consisting of farmers and processors. This marks the initial phase of the training series, which is expected to span over three years.
AATF had previously committed, during the inauguration of the Cassava Mechanization and Agro-Processing Facility in April 2024, to train 6,000 farmers and processors. The initiative will gradually scale up with 1,000 trainees in 2024, 2,000 in 2025, and 3,000 in 2026.
In addition to the farmers, the programme will include 1,000 processors, primarily women from Oyo and Ogun states, with a focus on value addition in cassava processing. By equipping them with essential skills, the training seeks to improve their livelihoods through better production methods and increased value creation.
Speaking during the launch of the training programme, Mr. Kehinde Jimoh, AATF’s Programme Officer for Agribusiness, emphasised that this initiative is part of AATF’s broader commitment to enhancing the productivity of cassava farmers and processors.
He stated, “This training is focused on empowering farmers and processors with best agronomic practices and value addition strategies, which will lead to significant improvements in their livelihoods and cassava productivity.”
Dr. Adeyemi Olojede, Director of Tuber Crops Research at NRCRI, expressed his delight at the institute’s involvement in the program. He noted the importance of the training not only in boosting cassava production but also in enhancing value addition, which will provide farmers with alternative income streams.
“Due to the significant impact this training will have on cassava farmers in southwest Nigeria, NRCRI has deployed a team of experts to ensure that the objectives are met, and that the facility contributes to the nation’s food security efforts,” said Dr. Olojede.
The training programme, hosted by AATF and facilitated by NRCRI experts, is supported by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and implemented by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH in collaboration with AATF, Agridrive Ltd., and Clayuca Corporation.
The training covers critical areas such as best agronomic practices, cassava value addition, and prudent financial management, all within the framework of the “Mechanisation of Cassava Production and Processing Project” under the Fund for the Promotion of Innovation in Agriculture (i4Ag).
The initiative is expected to significantly contribute to improving cassava farming and processing in Nigeria, ensuring that farmers are equipped with the knowledge and tools necessary to enhance productivity and sustain their livelihoods.
Former National Security officials warned on Tuesday, October 8, 2024, that Australia is unprepared for the cascading and existential impacts of climate change.
Anthony Albanese, Prime Minister of Australia
The Melbourne-based Australian Security Leaders Climate Group, a coalition of former national security officials, said in a report that the Australian federal government must radically overhaul how it prepares for climate threats.
The report warned that climate change is certain to cause natural disasters to increase in frequency and intensity, which are likely to overwhelm the government’s ability to help communities survive and recover.
“Today, unimaginable new climate extremes confront us: record-breaking droughts and floods, cruel heatwaves, unstoppable bushfires, broken infrastructure, and coastal inundation. Worse is to come,’’ the report said.
Responding adequately to the climate threat is fundamental to the survival of the nation.
The group made 13 recommendations to increase action on climate change and ensured Australia was better prepared.
It called on the government to make faster cuts to Australia’s carbon emissions, to bolster support to countries across the region.
It also called for establish of a new climate threat intelligence unit within the Office of National Intelligence so that global warming risks are factored into security decisions.
The report cited previous climate science that found large parts of northern Australia could become uninhabitable within 30-40 years, threatening military bases, communities and the economy.
The Federal Government of Nigeria has inaugurated the National Task Force (NTF) on the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR).
Sen. Abubakar Kyari, Minister of Agriculture and Food Security
Sen. Abubakar Kyari, Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, stated this while inaugurating the committee on Tuesday, October 8, 2024, in Abuja.
The minister said this was aimed at Nigeria’s compliance with EUDR on free deforestation and free agricultural products.
He said that deforestation and forest degradation were among the main drivers of climate change and biodiversity loss.
Kyari, who is the chairman of the Taskforce, said that the deforestation regulation by the EU entered into force on June 29, 2023, and was given an 18-month implementation period of December 2024.
“According to the EU, the commodities that present the most deforestation risk are timber, soya, palm oil, coffee, cocoa and cattle as well as selected derived products such as chocolate, leather, tires and furniture.
“The EU based on the above emphasised that any company intending to place these commodities in the EU market, or export from EU will be subjected to a set of mandatory due diligence rules.
“Only deforestation-free products not subject to deforestation or forest degradation after Dec.31, 2020 and legal products, according to domestic laws of the country of origin will be allowed into the EU market,” he said.
He said the EU was not only a major trade partner but also the loss of the market due to non-compliance with EUDR presented a great threat to the cocoa, rubber, and soya and timber value chains.
The minister said they constitute 80 per cent, 7 per cent, 7 percent and 5 respectively of the 523 million Euro export trade.
“Fellow NTF members, we have a great task ahead and I believe our cooperation and joint efforts will bring about the desired central national database for traceability/certification.
“Also, forest mapping, legality and due diligence necessary to guarantee evidence of free deforestation and free agricultural products,” he said.
He said that Ghana, one of the world’s largest exporters of cocoa, had already set the ball rolling by mapping 1.2 million farms so far, and could start tracking cocoa beans from farms to ships in November.
“Nigeria cannot be lagging behind; we must therefore make efforts to ensure compliance even as we are determined to exploit other markets outside Europe,” he said.
Kyari underscored the collective efforts needed to meet the EUDR standard.
“As members of the NTF on EUDR, we have an extremely urgent important duty ahead, therefore we can no longer afford to be working in silos,” he said.
He called for unity among all stakeholders including government and private sectors to achieve the set targets.
The House of Representatives has commenced investigation into alleged environmental pollution by Agip Oil (Now Oando Oil Ltd) and Aiteo E&P in host communities in Bayelsa State.
Speaker of the House, Rep. Tajudeen Abass
The investigation was organised by a joint committee on Environment, Petroleum Resources Upstream and Midstream on Tuesday, October 8, 2024, in Abuja.
In his remarks, the Speaker of the House, Rep. Tajudeen Abass, said that the exercise was a fact-finding one.
He said that it was essentially aimed at unravelling specific details about the unwholesome environmental degradation in Nembe, Brass and Southern Ijaw Local Government Areas of Bayelsa.
According to him, the primary concern is to identify those behind these devastations to stem the ugly trend for enhanced socio-economic development of our communities.
“It is widely recognised that both onshore and offshore operations by certain oil companies in parts of the oil-rich Niger-Delta have caused significant and avoidable harm to the environment and the local communities.
“These adverse effects include oil spills, noise pollution, contamination of water sources, and elevated carbon emissions, all of which continue to damage the ecosystem and disrupt the livelihoods of the host communities.
“These adverse impacts have resulted in the destruction of the livelihood of the people and their well-being, health issues, loss of aquatic lives and devastation of our biodiversity.
“Let us be reminded that the 10th House views corporate activities that are in flagrant disregard of global best practices, due process, and established norms with deep concern.
“We cannot stand idly by while the environment suffers due to negligence or greed. It is imperative that oil majors understand that their operations must align with accountability and transparency.
“They must adhere to rules that protect our environment and respect the rights of local communities,” he said.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the Committee, Rep. Pondi Gbabojor (PDP-Delta), said that the panel would consult environmental experts, and relevant government agencies, to have a comprehensive understanding of the situation.
He said that the Managing Directors of both Aiteo E & P Company and Oando Oil Ltd would be required to provide detailed explanations regarding their activities.
He said that it was a collective responsibility to ensure that the operations of oil companies in the country are carried out in a manner that is sustainable, environmentally responsible, and respectful of the rights and welfare of the communities they operate in.
The lawmaker said that the committee is not out to vilify any corporate entity but to ensure accountability, transparency, and adherence to environmental laws and regulations that govern the oil sector in our country.
“We aim to find solutions, hold the responsible parties accountable where necessary, and recommend the appropriate remedial actions.
“The outcome of this hearing will not only affect the immediate communities involved but will also set a precedent for how we approach environmental issues related to industrial activities in the future,” he said.
Gbabojor said that the environment is a common heritage and must be protected for the current and future generations.
The President of Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, on Tuesday, October 8, 2024, said that the Dangote Refinery was constructed without any government incentives.
Dangote Refinery
Dangote made this known during his keynote address at the Crude Oil Refinery Owners Association of Nigeria (CORAN) Summit in Lagos.
The Summit has “Making Nigeria a Net Exporter of Petroleum Products” as its theme.
Dangote, who was represented by Mr Ahmed Mansur, Dangote Group, said that there was need for investor incentives to realise country’s vision of becoming a refining hub.
He stressed the importance of ensuring sufficient feedstock availability, while calling for an end to mortgaging crude oil.
“It is unfortunate that while countries like Norway are investing oil proceeds into a future fund, we in Africa are spending our future earnings,” Dangote said.
He also called for prioritising the implementation of domestic crude supply obligations and expanding crude oil production capacity to meet the demands of new refining facilities.
Dangote commended the efforts of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, highlighting the government’s active steps to accelerate International Oil Companies (IOC) divestments and other initiatives.
Despite being Africa’s largest crude oil producer, Dangote said that Nigeria had long relied on imports to meet its refined petroleum product needs.
He said, “Nigeria is poised to transition from a “net importer” to a “net exporter” of refined products, positioning itself as a significant player in global downstream trade.
“This impending transformation is indicative of our progress as an industry and as a nation. We owe a debt of gratitude to President Tinubu for his unwavering support throughout this journey.”
Dangote also addressed the opportunities in Africa, noting that the continent imports about three million barrels of petroleum products daily, with half of that coming from coastal countries.
He highlighted that these countries produce over 3.4 million barrels of crude oil daily, with imports primarily sourced from Europe, Russia and other regions.
“In 2023 alone, this trade was estimated at approximately $17 billion.
“However, these markets will be better served from Nigeria, reducing logistics costs and allowing countries to purchase their petroleum product requirements just-in-time,” he explained.
He asserted that Nigeria and Africa could achieve self-sufficiency in petroleum products, retaining all economic value locally.
“We have succeeded in cement production, and we can certainly replicate that success in petroleum refining.
Dangote highlighted that the Dangote Refinery already produces sufficient diesel and jet fuel to meet Nigeria’s needs and is ramping up production of PMS to meet domestic demand.
“The refinery has also begun exporting products to markets in Europe, Brazil, the UK, the USA, Singapore, and South Korea.
He acknowledged that global developments in the petroleum sector, particularly in Europe, are likely to disrupt traditional trade flows for refined products in Africa.
“Nigeria is uniquely positioned to capitalize on these opportunities and become a formidable player in the global oil industry.
“As a vibrant exporter of refined products, Nigeria stands to improve its trade balance and generate much-needed foreign currency.
“There is no doubt about Nigeria’s potential as a refining hub; let’s work together to make it a reality,” he added.
In his address, Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State urged oil and gas stakeholders to leverage the sector’s immense potential to become a global supplier of refined petroleum products.
The governor was represented by Mr Biodun Ogunleye, Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources.
He affirmed the state’s commitment to supporting the vision through initiatives that enhance infrastructure, logistics and regulatory frameworks necessary for investment in energy and refining sectors.
He noted that the Dangote Refinery, located in Lagos, exemplifies the potential that exists when vision meets conducive conditions for success.
“We are at a pivotal moment in Nigeria’s economic journey, where increasing refining capacity is essential for reducing reliance on imports and positioning Nigeria as a significant player in the global energy market.
“This focus on refining will stimulate job creation, enhance foreign exchange earnings and contribute to economic diversification.
“Lagos State is the economic powerhouse of Nigeria, and I recognise the central role it plays in driving the nation’s industrial and energy sectors,” he said.
On Tuesday, October 8, 2024, activists from a broad coalition of community-based organisations, civil society organisations, trade unions, and environmental and social justice groups gathered in Sandton, Johannesburg, to protest against the African Energy Chamber (AEC) and its African Energy Week (AEW) conference.
A protester
The demonstrators marched from Sandton Central Park to the AEC offices, expressing their concerns about fossil fuel exploitation across Africa that leaves frontline communities with polluted environment and much poorer while the transnational corporations laugh to the bank.
Protesters highlighted the AEC’s role in promoting fossil fuel projects like EACOP, which they argue displaces communities and devastates ecosystems in Uganda and Tanzania while providing limited socio-economic benefits for ordinary people. The demonstrators emphasised the need for a just transition to renewable energy that prioritises the interests of African communities and ecosystems.
At the African Energy Chamber office, the protestors presented an open letter endorsed by over 250 African civil society organisations, community-based organisations, social and environmental justice groups, faith-based organisations, and trade unions.
The letter outlined the following key demands:
The immediate cancellation of African Energy Week.
African governments must boycott African Energy Week and cut ties with the African Energy Chamber.
African leaders must reject fossil fuel expansion on the continent and aggressively pursue a just, people-centred transition to renewable energy.
Multinational corporations must pay reparations for environmental and social destruction caused by fossil fuel extraction across the continent.
The protest aimed to draw attention to the long-term environmental and economic consequences of continued fossil fuel investment in Africa, emphasising the potential for renewable energy to drive sustainable development across the continent.
Mametlwe Sebei, President of the General Industries Workers Union of South Africa (GIWUSA), said: “Africa Energy Week represents the united power of big corporate fossil fuel monopolies, to which we must counterpose working class unity, and power. Ultimately only a revolutionary transition would be a just transition which, through working class power will ensure and guarantee a transition to clean renewable energy to meet all our energy needs and on the basis of decent paying jobs.”
Zaki Mamdoo, StopEACOP Campaign Coordinator, said: “We have marched through Africa’s richest square mile, in defiance of the many corporate criminals who call it home, to reject the unholy alliance between finance capital, African governments and the fossil fuel industry. We see the pro-war, pro-fossil fuels and pro-exploitation operations of Ivor Itchikowitz’s Paramount Group; we see the unapologetic violence, destruction and war mongering of American imperialism; the suffocating pollution and devastation caused by Sasol; and the corrupt bolstering of it all by the sinister African Energy Chamber fossil fuel lobby group and its fraudster chairman, NJ Auyk.
“We reject them all and demand that our leaders cut ties with the African Energy Chamber and boycott events where elites plot our demise for their enrichment. African leaders must engage in a process of deep and meaningful consultation with communities, civil society and ordinary people to pursue a developmental path that serves our collective interests for jobs, housing, education, healthcare, adequate nutrition and climate stability.”
