A medical laboratory scientist with the National Veterinary Research Institute, Mr Solomon Chollom, says the misuse of antibiotics in livestock and poultry can also make humans resistant to the drug.
Poultry farming
Chollom made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday, November 28, 2017 in Jos, Plateau State.
He explained that not many people pay attention to the health of their animals, as most farmers buy antibiotics or any other drugs available from the nearest vet medicine store and administer on their animals when they fell ill.
According to him, this the farmers do without proper laboratory investigation to ascertain the real cause of the ailment.
“This act leads to the buildup of antibiotics in the animals and such antibiotics become residue in those animals, and eventually when they are due for consumption, such animals already have a buildup of antibiotics.
“Humans who consume such animals get exposed to those antibiotics build-up in the animals or in the animals’ products, however, at a subliminal level (low concentration).
“When an individual who has a treatable infection using antibiotics consumes the animals or animal products which have the antibiotics build-up in them, the organisms which have been exposed to the antibiotics at a very minimal level would have developed a form of resistance to the drug.
“As such, a higher concentration of the antibiotics would be needed to treat the infection,’’ he said.
Chollom stressed the need for farmers to be educated to discontinue the act of self-medicating their animals, especially those in the rural areas.
He said that the practice was most prevalent among farmers in the rural areas without proper laboratory analysis, adding that they sold such animals once they observed that they were not responding to treatment.
According to him, they slaughter the sick animals and sell to the unsuspecting public.
He called on the state government to ensure that checks were conducted at the various abattoirs to ensure that the animals were fit for human consumption.
“Relevant government bodies should check if the drugs the animals consume have adverse effect on humans and if the animals are ill and needs to be quarantined.’’
The laboratory scientists also called for proper management of wastes produced by the animals on antibiotics.
He said the waste produced was capable of transmitting organisms responsible for the ailment, which could also lead to the build-up of antibiotics in foods and vegetables, where these waste were applied as a form of organic fertiliser.
This, he said could also lead to antibiotics resistance in humans.
The number of dead or missing migrants in the Mediterranean has risen above the 3,000 for the fourth year in a row, the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) said on Tuesday, November 28, 2017.
A migrant shipwreck on the Mediterranean
In the year to date, 3,033 people are estimated to have lost their lives in attempts to reach southern Europe by sea, a spokesman for the UN agency, Joel Millman, said in a statement.
The figure includes the death of at least 31 people off the coast of Libya, the death of a 10-year-old Afghan boy near the Greek island of Lesvos, and at least eight people dying on the sea route to Spain.
The Mediterranean is considered the world’s most dangerous migration route.
In 2016, a record 5,413 people died or went missing in sea crossings.
IOM Director-General, William Swing, said the latest statistics were another reminder of the need to “manage migration in a way that is safe, regular and secure for all.’’
The agency said that as at Sunday, 163,979 migrants had arrived in Europe via the Mediterranean, with roughly 75 per cent of them landing on Italian shores.
As the dry harmattan season approaches, more calls have gone to Nigerians not to embark on bush burning ventures in order to avert disaster.
Bush burning
An official of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) in Ekiti State, Mr Saheed Akiode, has warned residents against indiscriminate bush-burning during the dry season.
Akiode gave the warning on Tuesday, November 28, 2017 in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital.
He noted that some people imbibed the habit of indiscriminate bush burning as soon as the dry season sets in.
According to him, such practice has resulted to the destruction of valuable property.
He also underscored the need to maintain a clean environment at all times to prevent the outbreak of diseases.
The coordinator further advised the residents to utilise waste bins provided by the state government on every street.
The Anambra State Government also on Tuesday warned residents against indiscriminate bush burning, especially during the harmattan.
Mr Innocent Mbonu, Deputy Director in-charge of Administration and Strategy, Anambra Fire Service, gave the warning in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Onitsha.
Mbonu said the warning became necessary to prevent cases of fire incidents which usually occurred during the period.
He said because of an intensive sensitisation campaign by the state government earlier in the year, the office recorded 76 fire incidents from January to October as against 117 cases recorded same period in 2016.
According to him, property worth N607 million was lost to fire incidents in 2017 compared to N966 million lost to fire within the same period in 2016.
“What normally causes fire is peoples’ insistence on clearing bushes around them with fire as well as hunting expedition by hunters.
“We are almost at the peak of harmattan where cases of fire incidents are high; we urge residents to be mindful of bush burning.
“The moment you set fire in the bush, you should be mindful and ensure that it doesn’t spread to nearby buildings or other property around,” Mbonu said.
While commending Gov. Willie Obiano for acquiring three fire trucks earlier in the year, Mbonu appealed to the governor to fulfill his promise of employing 100 fire fighters in the state.
“We are still requesting that the governor refurbishes eight other dilapidated trucks for distribution to the new fire stations under construction at Umunze, Otuocha, Nnewi, Onitsha and Agulu.
“We also appeal to the public to report fire incidents early and show friendliness with the fire fighters rather than harass or mob officers on duty for arriving scene of fire incidents late,” Mbonu said.
A gathering has called for a global treaty to end plastics pollution. This call was made during the 2017 Global Major Groups and Stakeholders Forum holding from November 27 to 28, 2017 at the United Nations Girgiri Complex in Nairobi, Kenya.
Participants discuss in groups during the 2017 Global Major Groups and Stakeholders Forum in Nairobi, Kenya. Photo credit: John Baaki, Women Environmental Programme (WEP)
The Global Major Groups and Stakeholders Forum was organised ahead of the 3rd session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA 3) scheduled to hold from December 4 to 6, 2017 in Nairobi, Kenya. Open to representatives of Major Groups organisations accredited to United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), non-accredited organisations, member states and representatives of international organisations, the Global Major Groups and Stakeholders Forum provides a crucial opportunity for civil society organisations and major groups to collectively engage on the agenda and influence the outcome of the UN Environment Assembly.
The two-day Global Major Groups and Stakeholders Forum discussed environmental issues revolving around the theme of UNEA 3: “Towards a Pollution-Free Planet” – ranging from land and soil pollution, marine pollution, air pollution, noise pollution, freshwater pollution, chemicals and wastes. The forum came up with concrete recommendations that it wants to form part of the outcomes or resolutions of the 3rd Environment Assembly.
One of the strongest recommendations that came out of the forum was a call for a global treaty on plastic pollution. This call was made by resource persons from civil society organisations (CSOs) during a session on marine pollution.
In their separate presentations, Semia Gharbi of Association de l’Education Environnementale pour les Futures Générations (AEEFG), Tunisia and David Azoulay of Break Free from Plastics campaign, lamented the negative impacts of plastics on the environment and clamoured a global treaty on plastic pollution ss a way to go in order to end pollution from plastics.
Plastics are not biodegradable and they constitute one of the major pollutants of the marine environment.
According to Azoulay, if nothing is done to end pollution from plastics, there will be more plastics in the oceans than the number of fishes and other marine creatures by 2050.
Gharbi noted that, so far, there is no global environmental treaty that comprehensively addresses the issue of pollution from plastics, hence a need for a global treaty to address the global menace.
It is clear that the United Nations is already aware of the negative impacts of plastics on the environment, such that UNEP, organisers of the UN Environment Assembly, has made it a policy not to issue plastic water bottles, but glass bottles if necessary, to participants during the Environment Assembly.
Also, the United Nations Conventions such as Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants and the Basel Convention all recognise plastics as a source of Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) and as a source of marine liter respectively.
This call however means that member countries of the United Nations need to do more towards having a pollution-free planet and in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has predicted sunny and hazy weather conditions over the central states of the country on Tuesday, November 28, 2017.
cloudy weather
NiMet’s Weather Outlook by its Central Forecast Office in Abuja on Monday also predicted day and night temperatures in the range of 27 to 38 and 13 to 19 degrees celsius.
The agency predicted that the Southern states would experience cloudy to partly cloudy morning with day and night temperatures in the range of 32 to 36 and 16 to 25 degrees celsius.
It also predicted prospects of localised thunderstorms over Calabar, Port Harcourt and Yenagoa later in the day.
According to NiMet, northern states will experience dust haze condition throughout the forecast period with day and night temperatures in the range of 34 to 39 and 11 to 21 degrees celsius.
“Dust haze is anticipated over the Northern cities while the central cities are expected to be under sunny and hazy conditions.
“Partly cloudy conditions are likely over most Southern cities with prospects of isolated thunderstorms over some coastal cities within the next 24 hours,” NiMet predicted.
The Consul-General of Brazil in Lagos, Amb. Maria Figueiredo, on Monday, November 27, 2017 announced her government’s plan to share its philosophy of protecting small farmers with Nigeria.
Amb. Maria Figueiredo
Figueiredo made the announcement in Lagos at a Business Forum between a Brazilian Delegation, members of the Nigerian-Brazilian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and other Nigerian businessmen and women.
The consul-general said that it was imperative for Nigeria to protect her small farmers to be sustainable and self-sufficient in the production of food for home consumption.
According to her, about 70 per cent of food produced and consumed in Brazil is from the small farmers.
“We are really ready to share our philosophy for protecting small farmers with Nigeria.
“An official from my country’s Ministry of Agriculture will be visiting Abuja soon to share our philosophy for protecting small farmers with Nigerians.
“In Brazil, there are laws that are made to protect small farmers. So, I feel that Nigeria should also protect such farmers,’’ she said.
Figueiredo said that Nigeria should not only continue to promote big farmers, whose agricultural products were always exported to the international market.
She said that the delegation was visiting to explore the possibility to discover the Nigerian market for the importation of agricultural equipment from Brazil.
President of the Nigerian-Brazilian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mr Emmanuel Ibru, said that there would continue to be synergy between Nigeria and Brazil.
Ibru, who said that there was a lot for Nigeria to learn from Brazil, also announced his organisation’s plan to soon organise another visit to Brazil.
He said that the chamber would continue to encourage and promote trade and knowledge transfer between Nigerians and Brazilians.
Trade relationship between Nigeria and Brazil dates back to 18th century. Nigeria and Brazil enjoy warm cultural and trade relationship. Many Afro-Brazilians trace their roots to Nigeria.
Brazil is the largest country in Latin America and Nigeria is the most populous nation in Africa. Both countries are key players in the economies of their regions. Brazil is a leading political and economic power in Latin America. Nigeria is equally the leading political and economic power in West Africa.
Nigeria is the second largest trade partner of Brazil in sub-Saharan Africa and 11th in the world. Brazil is the third largest importer of Nigerian crude oil after USA and India. Nigeria balance of trade with Brazil is very favourable.
Brazil’s key industries are textiles, shoes, chemicals, cement, agriculture, motor vehicles and parts, other machineries and equipment. Major export products include aircraft, coffee, vehicles, soybean, sugar, rice, orange juice, iron ore, steel, textiles, footwear, electrical equipment, etc.
Brazil’s current account surpluses had continued to hit record levels, indicating that exports were growing strongly. Its income per head is now 12 times that of India and China.
Nigeria has a great deal to learn and tap from Brazilian experience.
A recent report on the state of health of Indians investigates and exposes the new and emerging environmental triggers of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in the country.
Sunita Narain, director general, Centre for Science and Environment (CSE)
Titled: “Body Burden: Lifestyle Diseases”, the report, released on Monday, November 27, 2017 by a panel of eminent medical doctors, establishes that unless environmental risk factors are acknowledged and dealt with, India will not be able to curb NCDs responsible for more than 61 per cent of the deaths in the country.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), there are four major risk factors for NCDs – alcohol, tobacco, poor diet intake and lack of physical activity. The WHO says that, by investing just $1-3 per person per year, countries can dramatically reduce illness and death from NCDs.
However, according to Sunita Narain, director general, Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), the investment for India will be much higher.
“We believe the cost is going to be much higher considering that risk factors (in India) are many more than the four identified by the global body. These risk factors have multiple targets and can cause diseases which are not generally linked to them. For example, exposure to pesticides is known to cause cancer, but new data is emerging to link it to diabetes as well,” she says.
Similarly, air pollution is known to cause Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases (COPD), but there is little understanding on how this can adversely affect mental health. “Body Burden” highlights these linkages.
Says Vibha Varshney, the lead writer of the report: “Targeting environmental risk factors is essential if we want to meet the Sustainable Development Goal 3.4, which mandates a one-third reduction in premature deaths due to lifestyle diseases by 2030.”
“Though the WHO has identified the major risk factors for NCDs, it is still coy in calling out the real enemy – foods that are high in salt, sugar, fat and low in nutrition. It wants to play it as safe as possible so that it does not have to confront the real players and demand a restraint on their products, not through voluntary action but through government policies that restrict and restrain and put a premium on nutrition, not consumption,” says Narain.
Seven major health problems in India
Obesity: The number of overweight and obese people in India doubled between 2005 and 2015. Among individuals aged between 15 and 49 years, 20.7 per cent of women and 18.6 per cent of men have been found to be overweight or obese. Presence of obesogenic chemicals such as DDT, bisphenol A, MSG and arsenic in the environment were found to be important triggers of obesity. Besides regulating the use of these, marketing of processed foods too needs to be monitored. Increase in taxes on unhealthy foods, adequate labeling, and building an environment conducive to physical activity will be critical in combating the epidemic.
Mental health: More than 10 per cent of the country’s population over the age of 18 suffers from various kinds of mental illnesses. The lifetime prevalence of such mental illnesses is over 13 per cent. At least 150 million people in the country, affected by mental disorders, are in need of active medical intervention.
Lack of social support, changing diets and economic instability are the main triggers of mental disorders. Increased intake of sugar, too, has been linked to mental illness, making it imperative to find ways of reducing intake. An increase of PM2.5 in the environment by 4.34 microgram/cubic metre can increase the risk of Alzheimer’s. These risks, however, have not been considered in the mental health policies such as the Mental Healthcare Act, 2017.
Cancer: More than 1.73 million new cancer cases are likely to be recorded each year by 2020 in India. Commonly used household chemicals and cosmetics contain cancer-causing compounds. It is estimated that up to 20 per cent of cancer cases can be linked to environmental exposures of toxins. Tobacco and alcohol, air pollution and diets rich in meat and low in vegetables, are primary triggers. However, these triggers remain largely unaddressed. Moreover, cancer screening and medication remains extremely expensive.
Heart diseases: 26 per cent of all deaths in India happen due to cardiovascular diseases. Men and young are at a higher risk. In urban India, young and middle-aged people are at risk, while in rural areas, the elderly population is vulnerable.
Lack of physical activity has been identified as one of the biggest triggers of cardiovascular diseases. The easiest way out is to increase physical education. For this, policymakers need to prioritise pedestrian and cycling tracks and promote public transport and green spaces. Depression too has been found to be a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. Those suffering from depression also experience changes in their central nervous system and hormones, leading to the possibility of disturbance in heart rhythm, which over prolonged periods can be dangerous.
Respiratory diseases: India had an estimated 22.2 million chronic COPD patients and around 35 million chronic asthma patients in 2016
.Other than air pollution from vehicles and industry, global warming also increases risk to respiratory health. Global warming has extended the duration of the pollen season and altered the timing, production and distribution of aeroallergens. Both pollen and air pollutants have risen simultaneously in the environment, leading to an enhanced airway inflammation, thereby increasing the frequency of respiratory allergy and incidences of asthma. Studies on the relationship between allergic respiratory diseases, asthma and environmental factors, such as meteorological variables, airborne allergens and air pollution are still limited, but important evidences are emerging.
Hormonal disorders: Every 12th Indian is said to be a diabetic. Data on other hormonal diseases is still not available. Small studies suggest that one in 10 adults suffer from hypothyroidism.
Hormonal balance is very delicate and is easily disturbed by exposure to toxins, air pollution and even food rich in fats, sugar and salt. Understanding of hormonal disorders is poor and this needs to be studied more. However, policies that reduce consumption of processed foods, increase physical activity and minimize exposure to chemicals would help maintain hormonal balance.
Food allergies: It is suggested that 25-40 million people in India could be suffering from food allergies. About 170 foods reportedly cause allergic reactions. Food labels that provide detailed information about constituents could be important in controlling this. Allergen labelling in India has so far been restricted to infant milk substitute. India does not have a mechanism in place that requires genetically modified (GM) foods to be clearly labelled.
At the UN Climate Change Conference in Bonn, Germany (COP23) held in November 2017, different countries and sectors came together to mobilise support for developing countries with the help of South-South Cooperation.
Panelists at the event
Collaboration and solidarity to address the threats of climate change is vital to enable a sustainable future for all. The pragmatic South-South Cooperation (SSC) drives an integral approach towards addressing overarching development issues, such as poverty eradication, the promotion of economic and social growth, and the protection of the planet.
COP23 strongly clarified that such cooperation is gaining strength and is playing an increasingly important role in climate action. Above all China, Brazil and Morocco put South-South Cooperation center stage in respective events at the conference.
China and the United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation (UNOSSC) hosted a high-level forum on South-South Cooperation on Climate change. The event positioned China as an active practitioner and supporter of this cooperation, which also supports China’s aim to become the largest contributor to climate action.
At the high-level opening of the event, the Prime Minister of Fiji and President of COP23, Frank Bainimarama, delivered the opening remarks on SSC. He highlighted that moving technology from North to South is as important as South-South cooperation. Many developing countries are increasingly addressing development and climate challenges in a successful and pragmatic way. SSC aims to spread this knowledge across the global south. China’s ability to plan for and deliver renewable energy, various energy resources are now available in parts of Africa which never had energy accesses before.
Jorge Chediek, Secretary-General’s Envoy on South-South Cooperation, and Director, UNOSSC, stressed his enthusiasm regarding SSC and the advances across the global South.
Global Partnerships are Key to Climate Action – The Examples of China, Brazil and Morocco
High-level participants from the global south as well as the UN system highlighted China’s role in implementing, measuring and sharing experiences with developing countries. UNDP Administrator Achim Steiner pointed out the responsibility of a just and fair global response to the climate challenge. Global partnerships between organisation such as UN DESA and UN Environment are essential to implement climate action solutions, he said.
Naoko Ishii, CEO of GEF, stressed the importance of non-state actors (including cities, the private sector and academia) and the necessity of a dialogue with these actors and governing institutions.
A keynote session between experts from different international and national institutions emphasised the high interest of developing countries in SSC. Accordingly, Bernd Hackmann of UN Climate Change acknowledged the importance of holistic approaches, including with respect to implementing the Paris Agreement and the national climate action plans (Nationally Determined Contributions, or “NDCs”). These areas of action need to be interlinked and integrated with countries’ sustainable development approaches to come to fruition, he said.
In addition to China’s High-level Forum on SSC, Brazil hosted an event that focused on reforestation activities in the framework of REDD+ in combination with SSC. The Ministry of the Environment is working in partnership with the Brazilian Cooperation Agency, which integrates the structure of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in the development of a Brazilian “Programme for South-South Cooperation in Climate Change and Forests”. The programme aims at generating solutions to common challenges, strengthening institutional, technical and scientific capacities, and promoting the engagement of developing countries in mobilising payment resources for REDD+ results. The Amazon fund and the National Climate Change Fund are the main Brazilian instruments for financing REDD+ related mitigation actions in this context.
The shift of programmes from being aspirational to generating genuine investments while looking for different partners are important factors to attracting finance. Morocco’s ambassador H.E. Aziz Mekouar promoted Morocco’s goal to invest 46% in renewables. Morocco also hosted a side event on SSC in the framework of COP23. A discussion took place between UNDP representatives and various national institutions such as the State Secretariat for Sustainable Development in Morocco. The event at the Morocco Pavilion emphasized the need to strengthen efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and support the adaptation of countries most vulnerable to climate change. In this context, different perspectives and challenges of NDC implementation and options for how to catalyze their implementation through SSC were explored.
To provide an overview of the role and potential of south-south cooperation, the United Nations Southern Climate Partnership Incubator (SCPI) also released a report on Climate Partnerships for a Sustainable Future Report: An overview of South-South cooperation on Climate Change in the context of sustainable development and efforts to eradicate poverty.
The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) has signed a cooperation agreement with the Politecnico di Milano in Italy to carry out a feasibility study for the closure of the Ngong Town illegal dumpsite in Kenya and to design and construct a modern integrated municipal waste-to-energy plant.
The Ngong dumpsite
Solid waste arises from a wide range of human activities including domestic, commercial, industrial and agricultural. Managing solid waste is one of the most costly and complex urban services undertaken by municipal and county governments. The Ngong dumpsite receives a daily average of 50 tonnes of waste from Nairobi and from the local communities. There is no proper solid waste management in place with the waste dumped without processing or treatment which presents serious health and environmental hazards. The environment around the dumpsite is heavily polluted. The pollution includes surface and ground water, air, soil and crops pollution and visual blight.
Ngong residents in the proximity of the illegal dumpsite have complained of respiratory illnesses and skin infections. This has prompted the Kajiado County government to identify proper waste management and disposal as one of their development priorities. The Kenyan government approached the Italian Government to provide a long-lasting solution to the improper solid waste management and to create a pilot project that could be replicated in other towns in Kenya. The Italian Government is considering providing a soft loan to the Kenyan government for the design and construction of a modern municipal waste recycle and treatment plant, based on a sound feasibility study including social and environmental impact assessment. UN-Habitat will provide technical assistance and coordination for the environmental and social impact assessment.
The county government of Kajiado has allocated the land for the construction of a modern waste to energy plant away from the illegal dumpsite.
The Ngong dumpsite integrated municipal waste-to-energy plant
The cooperation agreement signed on Wednesday, November 22, 2017 between UN-Habitat and the Politecnico di Milano (POLIMI), which is the lead organisation in a consortium that includes the Technical University of Kenya (TUK) and LDK Consultants Engineers and Planners.
The feasibility study will:
Conduct a baseline diagnostic survey on the current status of the solid waste management in Kajiado County;
Design an integrated solid waste management system that includes the conversion of waste to energy;
Study the financial and technical feasibility of safe closure of the existing dumpsite;
Study the financial and technical feasibility of the design and construction of the new site;
Study the potential for resource recovery facility; and
Conduct consultative workshops and awareness raising.
The feasibility study will commence in December 2017 and end in March 2018. Waste to energy has been selected as the best option for the new landfill site because it is an increasingly practical and attractive environmental option for urban city officials and County Governments.
When completed, the new facility will recycle waste and generate energy for sale to the grid. Other benefits include; improved environmental sanitation due to the increased level of solid waste collection and the reduction of solid waste dumped; the provision of an affordable waste management system encompassing the collection, storage, transfer, treatment and disposal of waste; greater community awareness and participation in waste segregation and collection; the creation of new employment opportunities; and institutional capacity building.
Efforts to scale up domestic production of clean cooking solutions in Nigeria commences on Tuesday, November 28, 2017 in Abuja, courtesy of an initiative involving the Federal Ministry of Environment and the Nigerian Alliance for Clean Cookstoves.
Clean cookstoves imported under a Federal Government project
The endeavour will be kicked-off at the 2017 edition of the Nigeria Clean Cooking Forum, described as a landmark, annual gathering of government, professionals and entrepreneurs working to accelerate the production, deployment, and use of cleaner, more efficient cookstoves and fuels.
This year’s forum, according to a statement made available to EnviroNews, will support government efforts to scale up domestic production of clean cooking solutions in the country as well as contribute to meeting the country’s obligation to the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). The event brings together over 200 participants including key policymakers, private sector leaders, foundations, research institutions, women’s groups and civil society stakeholders as well as international partners to discuss and proffer actionable steps towards scaling up domestic production of clean cooking solutions in Nigeria.
The statement discloses: “Research has confirmed that smoke from the traditional use of firewood is estimated to cause 95,000 deaths annually in Nigeria. After malaria and HIV/AIDS
, this would be Nigeria’s third highest killer mostly of who are women and children. Women and the girl child walk long distances and spend hours a week in search of firewood. This also contributes significantly to deforestation as well as the attendant consequences of climate change.
“Clean cooking will save lives, empower women, improve livelihood and combat climate change. It is a priority area in energy access that is central in achieving the goals of NDCs and Sustainable Energy for All (SE4ALL) Initiative in Nigeria. Clean cooking energy for all is not only possible but a right for the Nigerian citizens. The domestic market for clean cooking solutions must be developed through innovative partnership and support, thereby the government and private sectors needs to stimulate the market for ‘Made in Nigeria’ clean cookstoves.”
Minister of State for Environment, Ibrahim Usman Jibril, will formally open the event; while Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki, will deliver the keynote address.
The forum’s sessions cover:
Strengthening the LPG market through public awareness for domestic consumption
Financing for clean cookstoves in Nigeria and expanding the market for clean cookstoves through standards and labeling.
According to the organisers, implementers of clean cooking solutions in the country will at the event share experiences, including challenges and lessons learnt. A session on Safe Access to Fuels and Energy (SAFE) will wrap up the forum, which will showcase a variety of clean cooking solutions.
