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Saving the fading Lekki coastline

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Saving the fading Lekki coastline

The “Save Lekki Coastland” could be considered a coast-to-coast conservation intervention to protect the Lagos coastlines beginning from the Lafiaji coastline situated wholly or partially within 100 meters of the high-water mark.

Lekki coastal erosion
Coastal erosion in Lagos

Lagos, being the most populous and industrialised city in Nigeria, is a place of waters occasioned by the Atlantic Ocean. Lafiaji, however, is a remote location in Eti-Osa Local Government Area of the state encompassing diverse ethnic groups including the Yorubas, Ibos, Hausa as well as immigrants from Togo and Benin Republic.

Pidgin English, which is an adulterated form of the English Language, is commonly used for oral communication among the residents. Occupying a total area of about 0.5 km² with a population of about 12,000 people, the inhabitants are low-income earners with women and children making the higher percentage of the population. The richer women are those who engage in petty trading while most of the women are idle, relying on their non-educated husbands. The environment is very peaceful.

The head of the community known as the Oba who is highly respected among the people had made a law that anyone found fighting will be immediately sent out of the community. Many live in wood-constructed houses sparing only a few trees where the sunbirds build their nests. Domestic animals like chicken and goats are found roaming the streets. A community borehole, a mini market, mosques, football viewing centre and churches are the points of meeting.

Environmentalists have reiterated the need to safeguard coastal areas and the people that inhabit them from the effects of climate change. The vanishing coastlines of Lagos have resulted in the disappearance of beaches indicating a longstanding problem of coastal neglect in Nigeria.

Shipwrecks, sand mining activities, indiscriminate fishing activities are some of the characteristics that translate into the devastating effects on inland resources and those from the marine coastal zones. Lafiaji is a victim of this menace. The popularly known Lafiaji Beach, which was a renowned place for tourism, is now a shadow of itself.

Another discrediting issue is abandoned facilities on the shore – ship wrecks. According to the Merchant Act of 2007, every ship owner is responsible for the removal of his vessel. This regulation is apparently not complied to as wrecks sink into the water bed, where they disrupt the marine ecology.

The recent rise in local sea level and extensive coastal erosion  in the area calls for urgent action. A well-integrated management approach is therefore required for the protection of critical coastal habitats. The protection of endemic and endangered species and their habitats as a national heritage is crucial, and hence the need for an intervention.

Some environmental non-governmental organisations (NGOs) such as the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF) and LUFASI are grieved by the many human activities leading to Lagos coastal area degradation considering the present and future deleterious consequences.

The current state of the coastlines is precarious and needs urgent action. Beginning with the Lafiaji Beach, this is need to mitigate  habitat loss due to sandfilling of the shore for construction, pollution and indiscriminate fishing because coastal areas play an important role in both Nigeria’s socio-economic well-being and that of its wildlife. Pressures on coastal resources have led to the declining population of many species such as shorebirds, sea turtles, and beach mice.

A place like Lafiaji where untreated raw sewage is released conveniently into the sea poses a high enviromental health risk. Litter is swamping the oceans and washing up on beaches. It kills wildlife, looks disgusting, posses hazard to people’s health and costs millions to clean up.

Researchers have explained that turtles mistake plastic bags for jellyfish and the bags block their stomachs, often leading to death from starvation. Seabirds mistake floating plastic litter for food, and over 90% of fulmars found dead around the North Sea have plastic in their stomachs. Plastics never biodegrade. They simply break down into small pieces and do not disappear. Micro-plastic particles are now found inside filter feeding animals and among sand grains on beaches.

Another devastating activity on Lagos coastal areas which is not peculiar to Lafiaji is hand-picking of shells. Environmentalists  have found that the removal of shells from beaches could damage ecosystems and endanger organisms that rely on shells for their survival. Seashells are a major source of organic deposits to the seafloor and make up the majority of limestones and chalks. Excess sediment and nutrient runoff from land-based human activities are considered serious threats to coastal and marine ecosystems by most conservation practitioners, resource managers, fishers, and other “downstream” resource users. Deleterious consequences of coastal runoff, including eutrophication and hypoxia, have been observed worldwide.

There should be a project strategically designed to tackle the aforementioned problems. The first line of action will be sensitisation of the members of the community in their own native language. A holistic environmental impact assessment should be carried out to asertain the current state of the coastline, followed by practical work like tree planting along the shores, cleaning and evacuation of abandoned materials, among others.

The critical situation demands the following interventions: protection and conservation of the coastal environment; equitable access to coastal public property; communication, education and public awareness; co-operative governance and partnerships; empowerment of women and youths in the community irrespective of educational status by engaging them through the elements of the project; mitigate the negative impacts of climate change and environmental degradation; present a capacity-building component for the holder of the project and networks; skills and capacity development; and knowledge sharing activities.

Key activities to do would be: make the Lafiaji Beach accessible; rehabilitate 100 hectares of dunes’ clean estuaries; create coastal community parks; install waste bins; plant 200 coconut seedlings; regularly clean up coastal area, remove illegal and abandoned structures; improve access to and along the coast; remove invasive alien vegetation; ensure compliance and monitoring, and rehabilitation of degraded areas which include dunes, estuaries;  and, create job opportunities for residents.

If there could be an urgent intervention by all the concerned, improved livelihood of the members of the community will be achieved at the end of the work since accessibility to the beach by visitors means increase in sales and services. More importantly, dwellers of Lafiaji (basically women and youths) who will be directly engaged in the project will go home smiling each day not only because of the stipends that will be paid them but also as the work will build their capacity and offer them self-confidence.

Marine species at the brink of extinction are expected to bounce back at the end of the day. Also, a sustainable relationship can then be established between the organisation and stakeholders having a common interest for nature.

By Ojonugwa Ekpah (Conservation Officer, Technical, Nigerian Conservation Foundation)

Paraguayan Chaco forest exploitation threatens endangered species, indigenous peoples

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Paraguayan Chaco forest exploitation threatens endangered species, indigenous peoples

The tropical forests of the Paraguayan Chaco are said to be disappearing more quickly than any other forests on earth.

Paraguayan Chaco forest
Exploitation of the Paraguayan Chaco forest threatens to wipe out the Ayoreo, one of the last indigenous peoples living in isolation from industrial society. Photo credit: New York Times

According to conservationists, the rampant destruction is threatening jaguars, anteaters, armadillo, 500 species of bird, and several endemic species that can’t be found anywhere else in the world. It also threatens to wipe out one of the last indigenous peoples living in isolation from industrial society, the Ayoreo, who rely on the forest to freely pursue their nomadic lives.

Not-for-profit group, Rainforest Rescue, says the devastation is being caused by big agricultural companies, seeking to produce charcoal and rear cattle for beef. The trees are cut down, fed into smoking ovens, turned into charcoal and the charcoal is sold in some of Europe’s biggest supermarkets, adds the organisation.

Indeed, some 30 football fields of natural Paraguayan forest are presumably being destroyed every single day to supply the demand for charcoal. Every two weeks, an area the size of Manhattan disappears into charcoal ovens.

British environmental organisation, Earthsight, has traced charcoal from forest destruction in the Paraguayan Chaco to supermarkets in the EU and US, including major chains Aldi, Carrefour and Lidl.

“Without knowing it, customers across Europe are buying bags filled with felled trees from old-growth forests in South America, and using them to light their barbeques,” says Toby Hill, a researcher at Earthsight.

Earthsight recently published a report exposing the devastating environmental consequences of Paraguay’s charcoal business. Paraguay is the world’s fifth biggest exporter of charcoal.

Earthsight’s report charts the journey of the carbonised trees into European supermarkets like Aldi, Carrefour and Lidl. It states that, by selling the charcoal, the supermarkets are fuelling an environmental crisis that is endangering a region described by David Attenborough, veteran broadcaster and naturalist, as “one of the last great wilderness areas in the world”.

In an open letter to the supermarkets, Rainforest Rescue urges immediate action:

To: Aldi, Carrefour, Lidl

Dear company managers,

The British environmental organization Earthsight has traced charcoal from forest destruction in the Paraguayan Chaco to branches of Aldi, Carrefour and Lidl in Europe.

The production of this charcoal is having a devastating effect on the environment and local people. Charcoal producers are clear-cutting the country’s tropical forests, doing the dirty work for the beef industry who then use the cleared land to rear cattle. This threatens endangered and endemic species as well as indigenous communities who rely on the forest for their livelihoods.

Most of this charcoal is exported to Europe. Every customer who buys and burns this charcoal in their barbeques is unwittingly contributing to the rapid destruction of forests in the Paraguayan Chaco. Please take immediate action to ensure that no charcoal from forest destruction in Paraguay is sold by your company.

Best regards

Radio Report: Lagosians adopt flood precaution measures

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Parents and guardians in Lagos are taking measures to protect their children and wards from likely consequences of looming flood as the rains resume in full force, barely a week after parts of the state suffered severe flood attacks.

They said this became imperative now that the children are home for the long vacation.

The resumption of the rains has already started to take a toll on the socio-economic wellbeing of Lagosians as gridlocks spread across the state.

Correspondent, Innocent Onoh, has the details.

Radio Report: Lagos marks 10th tree planting campaign

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Radio Report: Lagos marks 10th tree planting campaign
School children stole the show on Friday, July 14, 2017 during the annual tree planting campaign of Lagos State Government held at the premises of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) in Ikoyi, Lagos.
During the celebration, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode planted trees around the Broadcasting House, in recognition of the premium the country’s pioneer radio network pays to tree planting and maintenance.
Correspondent, Innocent Onoh, reports that the theme of this year’s tree planting campaign is: “Think Green, Plant Trees, Live Green”.

CPC to play pivotal roles in safeguarding Nigerians from tobacco harms

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CPC to play pivotal roles in safeguarding Nigerians from tobacco harms

Director- General of the Consumer Protection Council (CPC), Babatunde Irukera, has promised that the Council will support efforts to safeguard Nigerians from tobacco harms.

CPC-NTCA
L-R: Hilda Ochefu of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids; Akinbode Oluwafemi, Chair of Nigeria Tobacco Control Alliance (NTCA) Board; and Mr. Babatunde Irukera, DG of Consumer Protection Council (CPC), in Abuja

Irukera made the promise when the tobacco control community comprising a host of civil society groups visited the Council’s headquarters in Abuja on Wednesday, July 19, 2017.

The team, on the platform of the Nigeria Tobacco Control Alliance (NTCA), included Environmental Rights Action, Cedars Foundation, and representatives of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids.

Akinbode Oluwafemi, chair of the board of Nigeria Tobacco Control Alliance (NTCA) who led the delegation, commended Irukera on his new appointment which, he said, was tied to the DG’s passion for fighting injustices as exemplified in his role as counsel to Lagos government in the suit against tobacco transnationals in 2007.

Oluwafemi however noted that nothing has changed since then as the tobacco industry has recalibrated and now targets women and children in a renewed effort to get replacement smokers. He also revealed new developments in the TI strategy including intimidatory tactics and litigation against countries in Africa that plan to implement Tobacco Control laws.

The NTCA boss mentioned the recent Philip Morris International expose by Reuters and the revelation that some Nigerian delegates may have been compromised in attempts to thwart the FCTC implementation across the globe. Particularly worthy of mention, he added, should be the comments of a Nigerian delegate that the “Tobacco menace” is a myth.

He reminded the DG that the National Tobacco Control Act presents an opportunity to protect millions of Nigerians from tobacco addiction and its health, social, economic and environmental impacts.

He went on to stress that the magnitude of tobacco industry incursions into the country compelled the Minister of Health, Prof Isaac Adewole, to seize the occasion of WNTD2017 to announce that nine provisions of the NTC Act will be enforced before the end of 2017.

The nine provisions are:

  1. Prohibition of sale of tobacco products to and by anyone below 18.
  2. Ban of sale of cigarettes in single sticks. Cigarettes must be sold in packs of 20 sticks only.
  3. Smokeless tobacco shall be sold in a minimum of a pack of 30 grams.
  4. Ban of sale or offer for sale or distribution of tobacco or tobacco products through mail, internet or other online devices.
  5. Prohibition of interference of tobacco industry in public health and related issues.
  6. Prohibition of smoking in anywhere on the premises of a child care facility; educational facility; and health care facility. Other prohibited places for smoking include playgrounds; amusement parks; plazas; public parks; stadium, public transports, restaurants, bars, or other public gathering spaces.
  7. Prosecution of owner or manager of any of the places listed above, who permits, encourages or fails to stop smoking in the above listed places.
  8. Prohibition of tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship of any kind.
  9. Compliance with specified standard for content as set out by Standards Organisation of Nigeria

Going further, he pointed out that an opportunity exists for the CPC to play a pivotal role in the enforcement of the nine provisions because of the national nature of its work.

Hilda Ochefu of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids in her intervention, said CSOs are ready to partner with CPC in building the capacity of its staff to play roles in enforcing the nine provisions announced by the Minister of Health.

Ochefu implored the CPC to use its national structure to drive the enforcement of the nine provisions and champion the cause of smoke-free Nigeria.

She said CPC should adopt tobacco control as one of the key areas for intervention in its work to save Nigerians from the scourge of tobacco and lend its voice to calls for  fast-tracked  adoption of the TC regulation  by the parliament.

Report identifies increase in tobacco control policies in last decade

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Report identifies increase in tobacco control policies in last decade

The World Health Organisation (WHO) latest “WHO report on the global tobacco epidemic” published on Wednesday, July 19, 2017 finds that more countries have implemented tobacco control policies, ranging from graphic pack warnings and advertising bans to no smoking areas.

Cigarette-smoking
According to scientists, tobacco smoking is dangerous to health

About 4.7 billion people – 63% of the world’s population – are said to be covered by at least one comprehensive tobacco control measure, which has quadrupled since 2007 when only one billion people and 15% of the world’s population were covered. Strategies to implement such policies have saved millions of people from early death.

However, the tobacco industry continues to hamper government efforts to fully implement life- and cost-saving interventions, according to the new “WHO report on the global tobacco epidemic, 2017”.

“Governments around the world must waste no time in incorporating all the provisions of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control into their national tobacco control programmes and policies,” says Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “They must also clamp down on the illicit tobacco trade, which is exacerbating the global tobacco epidemic and its related health and socioeconomic consequences.”

Dr Tedros adds: “Working together, countries can prevent millions of people from dying each year from preventable tobacco-related illness, and save billions of dollars a year in avoidable health care expenditures and productivity losses.”

Today, 4.7 billion people are protected by at least one “best practice” tobacco control measure from the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC), 3.6 billion more people than in 2007, according to the report. This progress has been possible because governments have intensified action to implement key measures of the WHO FCTC.

Strategies to support implementation of tobacco demand reduction measures in the WHO FCTC, like the “MPOWER” measures, have saved millions of people from early death, as well as hundreds of billions of dollars in the past decade. MPOWER was established in 2008 to promote government action on six tobacco control strategies in-line with the WHO FCTC to:

  • Monitor tobacco use and prevention policies.
  • Protect people from tobacco smoke.
  • Offer help to quit tobacco use.
  • Warn people about the dangers of tobacco.
  • Enforce bans on tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship.
  • Raise taxes on tobacco.

“One in 10 deaths around the world is caused by tobacco, but we can change that through MPOWER tobacco control measures, which have proven highly effective,” says Michael R. Bloomberg, WHO Global Ambassador for Noncommunicable Diseases and founder of Bloomberg Philanthropies. “The progress that’s been made worldwide – and documented throughout this report – shows that it is possible for countries to turn the tide. Bloomberg Philanthropies looks forward to working with Director-General Dr Tedros and continuing our work with WHO.”

The new report, funded by Bloomberg Philanthropies, focuses on monitoring tobacco use and prevention policies. It finds that one third of countries have comprehensive systems to monitor tobacco use. While this is up from one quarter of countries monitoring tobacco use at recommended levels in 2007, governments still need to do more to prioritise or finance this area of work.

Even countries with limited resources can monitor tobacco use and implement prevention policies. By generating data on youth and adults, countries can, in turn, promote health, save healthcare costs and generate revenues for government services, the report finds. It adds that systematic monitoring of tobacco industry interference in government policymaking protects public health by shedding light on tobacco industry tactics. These include exaggerating the economic importance of the tobacco industry, discrediting proven science, and using litigation to intimidate governments.

“Countries can better protect their citizens, including children, from the tobacco industry and its products when they use tobacco monitoring systems,” says Dr Douglas Bettcher, Director of WHO’s Department for the Prevention of Noncommunicable Diseases (NCDs).

“Tobacco industry interference in government policy-making represents a deadly barrier to advancing health and development in many countries,” says Dr Bettcher. “But by monitoring and blocking such activities, we can save lives and sow the seeds for a sustainable future for all.”

 

Other key findings

The “WHO report on the global tobacco epidemic, 2017” also finds that:

  • 43% of the world’s population (3.2 billion people) are covered by two or more MPOWER measures at the highest level, nearly seven times as many people as in 2007.
  • Eight countries, including five low- and middle-income countries, have implemented four or more MPOWER measures at the highest level (Brazil, Islamic Republic of Iran, Ireland, Madagascar, Malta, Panama, Turkey and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland).
  • Monitor: Nepal, India and the Philippines are among countries that conducted WHO-backed initiatives to monitor tobacco use and then implemented measures to protect people from tobacco.
  1. Nepal introduced the world’s largest health warnings on tobacco packaging surfaces (covering 90% of the package) in May 2015 after using a set of household tobacco survey questions that allowed authorities to detect a high prevalence of adult male smokers and users of smokeless products.
  2. India launched a nationwide tobacco cessation programme and toll-free quit line in 2016 after conducting a “global adult tobacco survey” in 2009–10 that revealed high interest among almost 1 in 2 smokers and users of smokeless products to quit eventually.
  3. The Philippines’ landmark Sin Tax Reform Law was passed in 2012 after its 2009 national adult tobacco survey showed high smoking rates among men (47.4%) and boys (12.9%). Such strong tobacco demand reduction measures have contributed to declining tobacco use, according to its 2015 adult tobacco survey results.
  • Protect: Comprehensive smoke-free legislation is currently in place for almost 1.5 billion people in 55 countries. Since 2007, dramatic progress has been witnessed in low- and middle-income countries, 35 of which have adopted a complete smoke-free law since 2007.
  • Offer: Appropriate cessation treatment is in place for 2.4 billion people in 26 countries.
  • Warn: More people are protected by strong graphic pack warnings than by any other MPOWER measure, covering almost 3.5 billion people in 78 countries – almost half the global population (47%).
  • Warn: 3.2 billion people live in a country that aired at least one comprehensive national anti-tobacco mass media campaign in the last two years.
  • Enforce: Bans on tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship interfere with the tobacco industry’s ability to promote and sell its products, and reduce tobacco use. But only 15% of the world’s population is currently covered by a comprehensive ban.
  • Raise: Raising taxes to increase tobacco product prices is the most effective and cost-efficient means of reducing tobacco use and encouraging users to quit. But it is one of the least used tobacco control measures.

According to the WHO, tobacco use is the leading single preventable cause of death worldwide, killing over seven million people each year. Its economic costs are said to be enormous, totaling more than 1.4 trillion in health care costs and lost productivity.

Climate change: UN surveys private sector actions to identify opportunities, risks

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Climate change: UN surveys private sector actions to identify opportunities, risks

A survey of private sector actions to deal with the consequences of climate change is being carried out by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Adaptation Committee to identify opportunities and risks for businesses.

Asun St Clair
Asun St Clair, Business representative to the Adaptation Committee

Businesses face increasing risks, significant financial challenges as well as opportunities both now and in the future because of climate change impacts such as floods and droughts. Adaptation refers to actions to deal with such impacts.

A 2015 study by The Economist Intelligence Unit estimated the value at risk, because of climate change, to the total global stock of manageable assets as ranging from $4.2 trillion to $43 trillion between now and the end of the century.

With this in mind, the UNFCCC Adaptation Committee aims to engage more closely with the private sector, enabling greater action to adapt to climate change impacts.

All private sector companies, organisations and networks, big and small, from around the globe, are warmly invited to complete a quick survey of their efforts. The survey contains 12 questions, and takes only five minutes to complete on-line. The survey is open until August 4, 2017.

The survey can be accessed here.

The results of this survey will be used in two ways:

  • They will provide a basis for the UNFCCC Adaptation Committee to advance their engagement of the private sector in climate change adaptation action.
  • They will be communicated back to businesses, so that the private sector can also begin identifying how much adaptation action is being taken by participating businesses.

Small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which are the economic backbone of many societies, are already very vulnerable to natural disasters. Many SMEs believe they need to start focusing on adaptation, but they require help in moving from intent to action.

“Moving towards a resilient economy does not only address climate risks, but also presents many opportunities for businesses. We urge Senior Managers, Chief Sustainability Officers or Chief Financial Officers of as many businesses and industry associations as possible to take this survey so that we can better understand the risks but also opportunities for the private sector, and plan adaptation action together,” said Ms. Asun St Clair, Business representative to the Adaptation Committee.

“With the impacts of climate change already visible and increasing, the private sector has a crucial role to play in collaboration with governments in the transition to low-carbon, resilient and sustainable development, as reaffirmed in the Paris Agreement,” she said.

Ex-workers sue British American Tobacco for incapacitation, unlawful disengagement

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Ex-workers sue British American Tobacco for incapacitation, unlawful disengagement

Four former employees of the British American Tobacco Nigeria (BATN) sacked for medical redundancy have taken the company before a National Industrial Court seeking a declaration that their sack was unlawful.

batn-1
Dismissed BATH workers at the November 2016 media briefing in Lagos: L-R: Winsfon Ofulue, Dasilva Ayodeji, Awe Ayodele, Alabi Adekunle, and Folarin Shamsudeen

Timothy Makinde, Ayodeji Da Silva, Taofeek Alabi, and Ayodele Awe are claiming N50 million each as general damages for the company’s refusal to follow the procedure for “Disengagement of Medical Grounds” as stipulated in the Employee Handbook and Employee’s Compensation act.

They are also seeking, as alternative claims, the sums of N39 million, N48 million, N34 million, and N32 million respectively as special damages.

Joined as defendants in the suit before Ibadan Division of the National Industrial Court is the Nigerian Social Insurance Trust Fund Management Board.

Mr. Makinde, 34, who was employed in 2004 as a Manufacturing Assistant, was disengaged in 2016 after he was diagnosed with Osteoarthritis, a medical condition that causes pain and stiffness at the joints.

Before his employment at BATN, Mr. Makinde was made to undergo a mandatory medical test at the Lagoon Hospital, Apapa, Lagos, where he was certified fit.

He said he never had any medical history of Ostheoarthritis; adding that in the course of discharging his duties as a manufacturing assistant in the company’s Secondary Manufacturing Department, he was made to manually load, regularly, the cigarette trolleys which weighed 70 kilogrammes.

The employee also said the company forced him to work him to work a 12-hour shift arrangement for six days of the week.

“I was not given any sick leave prior to the termination of my employment on ‘medical grounds’,” Mr. Makinde stated in his witness deposition before the court.

“There was no medical examination conducted on me by a team of assessors which composition should be: company medical advisor, my physician, and an independent occupation health physician.”

For Mr. Da Silva, who was employed in 2006 as a Technical Trainee, his job description included manual checking of tobacco and filter, running of machine for 12 hours, and manual blowing and cleaning of tobacco dust.

It also included removal and carrying of launch belt and a large fan weighing 100kg and 60kg respectively during maintenance as well as clearing of tobacco blockage among others.

But in 2011, during the company’s periodic sports week, he sustained a knee injury during a football game which was left untreated for weeks because the medical personnel said he needed to get the approval of management.

By the time he was instructed to go to a hospital, both knees had become swollen and an arthroscopy surgery performed in 2013 showed he had a cruciate ligament damage (exterior and posterior) that would require serious physiotherapy and knee filling.

Mr. Da Silva said BATN abandoned him at the hospital for weeks and he ended up paying N85,000 for his treatment before returning to work.

“On the 24th of January, 2014, while I was on night duty and on the way from the human resources manager’s office, I fell down on the staircase due to a weak knee,” Mr. Da Silva stated.

Ignoring medical suggestions that Mr. Da Silva be re-assigned to a department which will not require him to stand for long periods, BATN allegedly terminated his employment in October 2016.

Like Mr. Da Silva, Mr. Alabi was also employed as a Technical Trainee in 2004 and, according to him, BATN failed to put in place appropriate safety measures at the workplace causing the staff to work without a standard noise mask and professional safety boot.

As a result of the defects, Mr. Alabi said after 10 years of exposure to tobacco dust, machine vibrations, laser fumes, noise and carrying heavy equipment; he developed cervical and lumbar spondylosis.

“I noticed that I couldn’t turn my neck again, I started having pains whenever my neck is turned,” said Mr. Alabi, 41.

“The pain increases day by day till a Sunday, the 8th of February, 2014, when I left for one of the company’s hospital (Tobi Hospital) on BATN list at Felele, Ibadan. Some drugs were prescribed, e.g. tramadol, di-clofenac and the likes.

“On administering the drugs, it was as if it was the drugs that put the pains on my neck, but after completing the dosage, I started feeling the pain again. I went back to the same hospital on the 15th day of February, 2014, and all the drugs were repeated, but this time around there was no effect of those drugs on the pain.”

Despite visiting many hospitals and seeing several doctors, Mr. Alabi said his condition did not improve.

On May 5th, 2016, he received a letter from BATN terminating his employment, he added.

Mr. Awe, who was employed in 2003, worked as a machine operator where he packed cigarettes into packets, cleaned machines using compressed air, used of silicon spray, as well as exposed to heat when the chiller was down. He said he worked for over five years on the production floor without standard work gears.

Four years later, he developed chronic asthma and high blood pressure, conditions that were alien to him as he passed the company’s pre-employment medical tests.

“Domestically and environmental wise, I dare not move near the kitchen whenever my wife is frying or cooking because of the smoke and heat,” said Mr. Awe, a father of three.

“I used to be an active football player, I dare not play ball for five minutes, my breathing will change, I am an endowed singer, today I can’t sing even in church again my breathing will change. I am not normal again.”

On Tuesday, November 23, 2016, seven of the BATN disengaged staffers addressed a press conference in Lagos, where they alleged, among other claims, that they were exposed to raw tobacco leaves, worked in poorly-ventilated environment, suffered various illnesses and unceremoniously discharged from work due to the condition they found themselves.

The ex-staffers were: Dasilva Ayodeji, Winston Ofulue, Awe Ayodele and Alabi Adekunle. Others are Folarin Shasudeen, Makinde Timothy, and Jokanola Folarin.

But BATN in a reaction reiterated its commitment to the welfare of its employees, saying that it is part of its internal human rights policy.

It added; “These allegations are based on labour issues which were managed according to our policies and ranged on various issues, which included poor performance, disciplinary issues as well as health related redundancy. All these cases were objectively determined in line with our internal processes, global policies and all extant Nigerian Laws.”

GMOs: Scientists asked to simplify biosafety information

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GMOs: Scientists asked to simplify biosafety information

Scientists have been asked to simplify information about their work and technologies for the public to understand.  One of the technologies that researchers are still failing to communicate to the public effectively is modern biotechnology.

Biosafety Communication (ABBS) Symposium
Participants attending the Agri-biotechnology and Biosafety Communication (ABBS) 2017 Africa Symposium

Modern biotechnology is a term adopted by international convention to mean techniques for the manipulation of genetic material beyond natural breeding barriers.

And for this to be fully embraced in Uganda there is a bill before parliament seeking to have a law that will regulate the technology, facilitate its safe use and redress.

The observation was made by the Minister for Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr Elioda Tumwesigye while officiating at the opening of Agri-biotechnology and Biosafety Communication (ABBS) 2017 Africa Symposium held at Laico Lake Victoria Hotel, Entebbe in Uganda.

The symposium attracted scientists, regulators, policy makers and communicators from Nigeria, Uganda, Kenya, Malawi, Tanzania, Zambia, Mozambique, South Africa, Senegal, Togo, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Mali, Sudan, Egypt, Ethiopia, Malaysia, Belgium and America. It was conducted under the theme “Strengthening communication for improved biosafety management”.

It was organised by the International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications (ISAAA AfriCentre) with support from the Uganda National Council for Science and Technology (UNCST), NEPAD, COMESA, SCIFODE and Ministry of Agriculture.

The symposium was also aimed at providing an opportunity to share experiences and best practices on biosafety communication in Africa.

The participants further exchanged information about the regulation and safe use of biotechnology research tools and products, which they said is an often neglected aspect of the risk analysis and decision-making process for genetically modified organisms (GMOs), which requires urgent investment and development.

They noted that symposium was critical in Africa where various products are under development and promising to provide staple crops that are resistant to diseases and pests, more nutritious, and survive in increasingly challenging climatic conditions.

According to the minister, scientists still fail to explain agricultural biotechnology to the public and yet they must communicate the technology to ordinary people, adding that they should take advantage of the symposium to improve their communication skills.

“One way of effective communication about agricultural biotechnology, scientists must explain in simple terms and tell the public how the technology works and how it will help in solving challenges that farmers face in the country,” he said.

Tumwesigye admitted that Uganda is experiencing excessive drought as a result of climate change, fall in rain patterns, famine, starvation to the extent of people dying yet technology have the capacity to address scarcity of water and improve food security.

Uganda’s ability to have adequate and nutritious food is being challenged; some people have died of hunger. Those who have are not eating enough and not even well balanced diet, as result many are stunted, and have prolonged ill health, observed Tumwesigye.

He said much Ugandans can get food using traditional methods of breeding and irrigation; traditional crops may still not survive emerging pests and diseases of which some have been worsened by climate change, like the fall army worm.

“And yet scientists have been able to identify genes that can be added into another plant to create resistance to pests and diseases it will enable us increased production and have enough food  that will solve the challenge of hunger and malnutrition.

So the issue is we need to communicate to our population saying we have this challenge, and through this method or piece of work by scientists, that is how we are going to solve them,” Tumwesigye added.

Dr. Margaret Karembu, the  director, ISAAA AfriCentre, said the symposium was  aimed at bringing together scientists, researchers and legislators to share innovative ways of communicating  biosafety concepts by sharing experiences and best practices, towards improving agri biotech and biosafety communications among scientists.

But for these to fully communicate, they will need training in communication so as to package their information adequately, added Dr.Mahaletchumy Arujanan, executive director of Malaysian Biotechnology Information Centre (MABIC).

She added that, in Uganda, these should make use of the Uganda Biosciences Information and Innovation Centre, (UBIC) based at the National Crop Resources Research Institute (NaCRRI) in Namulonge, one of the research stations under National Agriculture Research Organisation (NARO).

Robert Kafeero, who chairs the Ugandan Parliamentary standing committee of Science and Technology, said several African countries have recently made various important biosafety decisions related to genetically modified (GM) crops, including decisions to authorise their general/environmental release.

He, however said, the ultimate success of delivering these products to farmers is threatened by tenuous support of these decisions from policymakers and the public, due to limited understanding of biosafety concepts, regulatory processes and decision-making factors.

“We have many political scientists who are our policy makers with limited understanding of biotechnology yet they make policies that have an effect on scientific and research work,” he said.

Dr. Rufus Ebegba, the Chief Executive Officer of National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA) in Nigeria, said Biosafety Communication in Nigeria has identified different stakeholders to understand their different perspective and interest with a primary focus of biosafety.

“Good communication is paramount as it builds confidence in the biosafety process and helps to influence the public acceptance of approved products,” Dr. Ebegba said.

By Hope Mafaranga, in Entebbe, Uganda

Court orders temporary forfeiture of Alison-Madueke’s alleged property

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Court orders temporary forfeiture of Alison-Madueke’s alleged property

A Federal High Court, Lagos on Wednesday, July 18, 2017 ordered the temporary forfeiture of a property at Banana Island, Lagos allegedly built by a former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, in 2013 at $37.5 million.

Diezani Alison-Madueke
Diezani Alison-Madueke. Photo credit: TODAY.ng

According to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the property, designated as Building 3, Block B, Bella Vista Plot 1, Zone N, Federal Government Layout, Banana Island Foreshore Estate, has 24 apartments, 18 flats and six penthouses.

Apart from the property, the court also ordered the temporary forfeiture of the sums of $2,740,197.96 and N84,537,840.70 said to be part of the rent collected on the property.

The funds were said to have been found in a Zenith Bank Account numbered 1013612486.

Vacation judge, Chuka Obiozor, made the orders following an ex parte application to that effect brought before him by a counsel for the EFCC, Mr. Anselem Ozioko.

Ozioko had told the judge that the EFCC reasonably suspected that the property was acquired with proceeds of alleged unlawful activities of Diezani.

He said investigation by the EFCC revealed that Diezani made the $37.5 million payment for the purchase of the property in cash, adding that the money was moved straight from her house in Abuja and paid into the seller’s First Bank account in Abuja.

“Nothing could be more suspicious than someone keeping such huge amounts in her apartment. Why was she doing that? To avoid attention.

“We are convinced beyond reasonable doubt because as of the time this happened, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke was still in public service as the Minister of Petroleum Resources,” Ozioko told Justice Obiozor.

The ex parte application taken before the judge was filed pursuant to Section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, No. 14, 2006 and Section 44(2)(k) of the constitution.

Listed as respondents in the application are Diezani, a legal practitioner, Afamefuna Nwokedi, and a company, Rusimpex Limited.

In a 41-paragraph affidavit attached to the application, an investigative officer with the EFCC, Abdulrasheed Bawa, explained that Nwokedi, in connivance with Diezani, purposely incorporated the company, Rusimpex Limited, on September 11, 2013, to facilitate the alleged fraud scheme.

According to Bawa, when Nwokedi was questioned by the EFCC, the lawyer explained that he had approached Diezani for opportunities in the oil and gas industry but the ex-minister told him that, being a lawyer, she did not have any such opportunity for him and asked him whether he could in the alternative manage landed properties, an offer which Nwokedi accepted.

Bawa said Nwokedi later registered Rusimpex Limited at the Corporate Affairs Commission, wherein a lawyer in his law firm, Adetula Ayokunle, and a Russian, Vladmir Jourauleu, were listed as the directors of the company, while the address of Nwokedi’s law firm in Ikoyi, Lagos was registered as the business address of Rusimpex Limited.

The investigator added that when Ayokunle was questioned by the EFCC, he explained that he only appended his signature on the CAC documents at his boss’ instruction, while Jourauleu denied knowledge of the company.

The investigator explained: “Sometime in 2013, the former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, invited Barrister Afamefuna Nwokedi, the Principal Counsel of Stillwaters Law Firm, to her house in Abuja for a meeting where she informed the said Nwokedi to incorporate a company and use same as a front to manage landed properties on her behalf without using her name in any of the documents.

“She further directed Mr. Afamefuna Nwokedi to meet with Mr. Bisi Onasanya, the Group Managing Director of First Bank of Nigeria Plc for that purpose.

“Mr. Stephen Onasanya was invited by the commission and he came and volunteered an extrajudicial statement wherein he stated that he marketed a property at Bella Vista, Banana Island, Ikoyi, Lagos, belonging to Mr. Youseff Fattau of Ibatex Nigeria Limited to Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke and Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke later bought the property from Mr. Youseff Fattau, through her counsel, Mr. Afamefuna Nwokedi (who she introduced to him) and that payment for the said property was made through the Abuja office of First Bank of Nigeria Plc.

“First Bank of Nigeria Plc, through Mr. Barau Muazu, wrote to the commission and also volunteered an extrajudicial statement in writing that they made the payments totalling $37,500,000 to Ibatex Nigeria Limited & YF Construction Development and Real Estate Limited on behalf of Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke and that they collected the entire cash from Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke at her residence, No. 10, Fredrick Chiluba Close of Jose Martin Street, Asokoro, Abuja and paid into the First Bank of Nigeria Plc accounts of Ibatex and YF Construction Development and Real Estate Limited on her instruction.”

After listening to the EFCC counsel, Justice Obiozor made an order temporarily seizing the property and the funds.

He directed that the order should be published in a national newspaper and adjourned till August 7, 2017 for anyone interested in the property and funds to appear before him.

By Chinyere Obia

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