The Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA Resource Centre) has called on the Federal Government to ensure that the recently approved ₦125.5 billion flood intervention fund to state governors, federal ministries, departments and agencies is subjected to the highest standards of accountability, transparency, and coordination, warning against a repeat of the ecological fund’s history of poor oversight and opaque disbursement.
In a statement signed by HEDA’s Executive Secretary, Mr. Sulaimon Arigbabu, the civil society organisation commended the government for the initiative. However, it warned that, unless properly managed, this intervention risks going the way of the ecological funds, largely disbursed without effective monitoring, results, or accountability.
Flooding in Nigeria
Arigbabu said, “Nigerians cannot afford to repeat the ecological fund debacle. This ₦125.5 billion must not be treated as business as usual. It must be treated as an exceptional emergency fund, ring-fenced and dedicated solely to flood prevention, mitigation, and disaster response. Anything short of full transparency will further undermine both public trust and the fund’s impact.
“In 2012, the Jonathan-led administration approved ₦17.6 billion for states affected by flooding to help mitigate the suffering of victims. However, reports showed that some direct beneficiaries received as little as ₦500, while many others got nothing at all. The funds were largely cornered by politicians, and such mismanagement must be avoided with the newly approved allocation by the Federal Government.”
HEDA further demand that a robust framework be established to coordinate and track the utilisation of the funds at both federal and state levels. The group called for the publication of detailed breakdowns showing how funds will be used, who the implementing agencies are, and the specific communities or infrastructure projects being targeted.
It further argued that the ₦10 billion allocated to NEMA is insufficient given its national mandate as Nigeria’s lead disaster responder.
“We recognise NEMA’s vital role and HEDA’s experience with NEMA as partners show that many flood-hit communities remain unreached, it cannot be everywhere at once as they are the ones flood victims are hoping on, especially in states where SEMAs are inactive or ineffective, which is why State Emergency Management Agencies (SEMAs) must be empowered and held accountable in supporting victims within their jurisdictions,” Arigbabu said.
The group also called on Governor Babagana Zulum for a comprehensive report on the massive flooding of September 10, 2024, triggered by the Alau Dam in Borno State, and stressed that such information should be made public.
“Beyond Governor Babagana Zulum’s assurances on the dam’s structural integrity, the public deserves transparency and reassurance of their safety.
“Similarly, the recent Mokwa flood incident in Niger State, which killed hundreds, and displaced thousands should be thoroughly investigated, with the findings made public, so that appropriate support can be provided to the affected victims and avert such incidents,” Arigbabu added.
“Flooding is no longer a seasonal surprise. It is a predictable disaster that requires institutional discipline, not token gestures. The success of this intervention will depend not on the size of the fund, but on strategic use of its intervention the integrity of its use,” the statement added.
HEDA called on all stakeholders including MDAs, state governments, and emergency agencies to prioritise real, people-centered actions such as functional early warning systems, evacuation infrastructure, sustainable drainage systems, and grassroots sensitisation.
Nigeria’s efforts to achieve a sustainable energy future will deliver the desired results if she introduces the right polices and deploys fit-for-purpose technology, while at the same time developing a robust supply chain and human resource base to help to unlock production and investments.
Managing Director, Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company Limited (SNEPCo), Ronald Adams, made the remark while opening a panel session at the ongoing annual international conference and exhibition of the Nigeria Section of the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) in Lagos on Tuesday, August 5, 2025.
L-R: Managing Director, Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company Limited (SNEPCo), Ronald Adams; SNEPCo’s Snr Production Geologist, Abidemi Belgore; Society of Petroleum Engineers, Council Chairman, Engr Dr. Amina Danmadami and SNEPCo’s Wells Operations Manager, Ismail Hamzat during the visit of diginitaries to the Shell booth at the 2025 Nigeria Annual International Conference and Exhibition (NAICE),annual event organized by the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) Nigeria Council in Lagos
He explained that the right policies would provide a good framework for a sustainable energy future while technology “will help unlock more with less” as efficient supply chains and human resources will drive industrial growth towards a secure energy future.
“The question is no longer whether Nigeria will play a key role in the future of energy, but how quickly and effectively we can harness our potentials to deliver affordable, secure, and increasingly cleaner energy for Nigeria, and the world,” Adams said.
Pledging Shell’s support for Nigera’s sustainable energy future, he said SNEPCo is leveraging technology such as predictive analytics, integrated data systems, and the right maintenance philosophy to drive record levels of plant availability on Bonga, nearly 20 years after first oil.
“That’s performance built on foresight, technology, and a commitment to excellence,” Adams said.
In recognition of the role of an efficient supply chain, he said SNEPCo is taking steps to ensure that over 90% of the contract value in its operations is executed by Nigerian companies as it continues to grow the capacity of indigenous contractors in supply of goods and delivery of services.
“A lot more needs to be done to scale up local competence,” Adams pointed out. “End-to-end industrial capability is limited in Nigeria, which means project scopes often get split between in-country and overseas, increasing cost and in some cases delaying delivery. To bridge the gap, there is the need to invest in local fabrication and manufacturing centers, regional standardisation and certification, and access to capital for local vendors.”
He added: “We will continue to stress the need for sustained reforms to ensure stable and investor-friendly fiscal environments that reduce uncertainty. A sustainable energy future for Nigeria and Africa will not emerge by chance. It must be built intentionally, collectively, and courageously.”
Members of the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) have decried the Federal Government’s seeming lacklustre approach to including its members in the just transition plans, cautioning that, by their exclusion, the government is leaving behind a crucial segment of society.
They made the observation at the Industrial Just Energy Transition Project which had “Amplifying the Workers’ Charter of Demand on Just Energy Transition for Trade Unions in Nigeria” as its theme.
Participants at the Industrial Just Energy Transition Project
Welcoming participants at the event, General Secretary of NUEE, Comrade Dominic Igwebike, said that electricity workers are not only crucial but are on the frontlines of the climate change impacts and effects.
He said the topics for the engagement were deliberately chosen to galvanise the union members to action in ensuring that their voices are heard as the Nigerian government escalates it’s just energy transition programmes including the drive for green jobs.
Speaking on “Introducing the workers charter of demand with a gendered perspective”, Remi Ihejirika of FES said that the charter developed through the collaboration among Nigeria trade unions, namely NUEE, Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) and National Union of Chemical, Footwear, Rubber, Leather and Non-Metallic Employees (NUCFRLANMPE) with the support from Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES) Nigeria and Mondial FNV in 2024/2025.
The charter seeks to ensure that Nigeria’s transition from a carbon-based to a low-carbon economy is just, inclusive and equitable. It highlights gender mainstreaming as a core principle and addresses the socio-economic challenges faced by women and marginalised workers advocating for protection, empowerment and participation in green job creation and policy decision-making.
It demands job security for those currently employed in fossil fuel sectors and the creation of new job opportunities in renewable energy with special focus on ensuring women’s inclusion through targeted recruitment and career development programmes.
It equally recognises that women workers often bear added vulnerabilities and advocates comprehensive social safety nets including unemployment benefits, income support and healthcare provisions adjusted for gender specific needs.
In his presentation on “Impact and Effect of Climate Change on Workers”, Philip Jakpor, Executive Director of Renevlyn Development Initiative (RDI), explained that in the discourse on climate change while the communities gather all the spotlight on impacts, little to nothing is mentioned about workers. In this category, he insisted that electricity workers are further upfront because they contend with the elements in the course of their work.
He noted that while the production and distribution of electricity is reliant on variables such as temperature, precipitation, wind speed, and wind direction, climate induced storms, flooding, and sea-level rise threaten substations, pipelines, transmission towers, and coastal power plants. Combined, these lead to stressed or volatile systems, damage to power lines, collapse of the grid and ultimately blackout.
Electricity workers, who are tasked with repair work, face occupational hazards such as exposure to the high and low temperature, storms, floods and even electrocution, leading to debilitation or death. They are also victims of displacement, financial distress, uncertainty as well as physical and mental health issues. These issues, according to him, are often under-reported.
In a second presentation on “Galvanising the media for effective reportage of climate and workers”, Jakpor charged the unionists to evolve strategies of engaging the media to amplify their concerns. He pointed out however that, in creating content for advocacy, they must also identify and recruit experts who understand the workings of the media and government to be able to craft the right message and make an impact.
He also advocated the use of the right media channels for communicating with the focus being largely on print and electronic to capture the attention of particular audiences and the online spaces to further amplify the message to younger or the borderless audience.
In a resounding demonstration of its commitment to community development and climate-resilient infrastructure, the BATN Foundation has commissioned a 20,000-litre capacity solar-powered borehole in the Ifelodun Muslim Area of Oluyole Local Government, Ibadan, Oyo State.
The borehole project, officially unveiled in the presence of government dignitaries, traditional leaders, local government authorities, and residents, marked another significant stride in BATN Foundation’s drive to support underserved communities with sustainable access to clean water and sanitation, key elements in achieving Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6).
Constructed with five water dispensing taps, a water management kiosk, four 300W solar panels, and a submersible pump encased within a protective area, the borehole is engineered for long-term sustainability. A manually operated pump has also been installed to provide an alternative water source during extended periods of low sunlight.
Speaking at the ceremony, Mrs. Odiri Erewa-Meggison, Board Director of BATN Foundation, emphasised the project’s deeper significance beyond infrastructure: “Water is life. Access to clean, safe water is not a luxury; it is a fundamental human right. This project represents our belief that no one should be left behind, especially when it comes to the most basic human need.”
She added that the Foundation’s strategic investments in clean water solutions reflect its broader mission to build resilient, healthy communities. “This borehole is one of over 110 solar-powered facilities we have constructed across Nigeria, impacting thousands of rural households with safe, renewable water access. It’s not just about water; it’s about dignity, it’s about public health, and it’s about creating opportunities for people to thrive.
”The solar-powered borehole in Ifelodun is expected to serve more than 5,000 residents, significantly reducing the daily burden, especially for women and children, who previously traveled long distances to fetch water. By integrating solar-powered technology, the project not only reduces dependence on fossil fuels but also lowers the long-term cost of water access, providing an environmentally friendly solution tailored for rural sustainability.
In his remarks, the Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Seun Ashamu, lauded the Foundation’s intervention, noting that this kind of public-private partnership is critical in addressing the infrastructural gaps in rural areas, especially in climate-sensitive sectors like water.
Chairman of Oluyole LGA, Akeem Olatunji, also expressed appreciation to BATN Foundation for choosing the Ifelodun Muslim community, describing the intervention as a transformative gesture that addresses both the immediate and long-term water needs of its people.
Beyond access to water, the BATN Foundation continues to make critical interventions in agriculture and economic empowerment across Oyo State. In 2024 alone, the Foundation trained and equipped 200 smallholder vegetable farmers across Akufo and Ajeja communities in sustainable dry-season farming techniques.
Through these initiatives, over 330,000 smallholder farmers have been empowered the 36 states of the federation and the FCT..
“The goal is to strengthen the entire ecosystem around rural development. By giving people the tools whether water or agricultural inputs, we’re enabling productivity, health, and self-reliance,” Erewa-Meggison stated.
The commissioning event featured the symbolic turning on of the borehole, ribbon cutting, and group photographs with community members, local leaders, and government officials.
Residents of the Ifelodun Muslim Area turned out in their numbers, expressing heartfelt gratitude for what many described as a “life-changing” intervention.
The Foundation urged the community to take full ownership of the borehole and preserve it for future generations.
“Sustainability begins with stewardship. Protect it. Preserve it. Pass it on,” Erewa-Meggison said.
With the commissioning, the BATN Foundation renews its commitment to bridging the resource divide in rural Nigeria, one sustainable solution at a time.
The Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) has praised Shell’s $5 billion Final Investment Decision (FID) on the Bonga North project, calling it a significant industry boost.
Dr Amina Danmiani, Chairman of the SPE Nigeria Council, gave the commendation on Tuesday, August 5, at the 2025 SPE Nigeria Annual International Conference and Exhibition (NAICE) in Lagos.
Dr Amina Danmiani, Chairman of the SPE Nigeria Council
Danmiani said the Bonga North project, announced late last year, contains over 300 million barrels of recoverable oil equivalent, with peak output expected at 110,000 barrels daily.
She commended Shell’s ongoing commitment to Nigeria’s energy sector, aligning with the conference theme: “Building a Sustainable Energy Future” through technology, supply chain, human capital, and policy.
Echoing her remarks, Mr. Marno de Jong, Shell Nigeria’s Executive Vice President and Country Chair, confirmed that work on the Bonga North project is underway.
“We are proud our Nigerian operations deliver real value – through taxes, local contracts, and social investment in areas like healthcare and education,” de Jong stated.
He reaffirmed Shell’s longstanding partnership with Nigeria, saying the 2025 SPE conference presents a key platform to express continued confidence in the country’s prospects.
Shell received a special award at the conference’s opening for taking the FID on the Bonga North project.
Shell is among more than 60 exhibitors at the event, showcasing its flagship Nigerian companies: Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCo) and Shell Nigeria Gas (SNG).
Also featured at Shell’s stand are All On, an energy access impact investor, and Daystar Power, a solar energy solutions provider operating across West Africa.
Speaking at the stand, Mr. Abidemi Belgore, a Senior Production Geologist at Shell, highlighted the firm’s enduring role in Nigeria’s energy development.
“For over 60 years, Shell has powered Nigeria’s progress – from oil production to transformative social programmes.
“We are leveraging technology and talent to build a sustainable future. This conference offers a great chance to highlight that commitment,” he said.
The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) says it will set the general rules for the establishment of a Decommissioning and Abandonment Fund for midstream and downstream petroleum operations.
Mr. Farouk Ahmed, Authority Chief Executive, NMDPRA, made this known on Tuesday, August 5, 2025, in Abuja at its Stakeholders’ Consultation Forum on the Proposed Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Safety and Environmental Regulations 2025.
Chief Executive Officer of NMDPRA, Mr. Farouk Ahmed
The forum was convened by the authority in furtherance of Section 216 of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA 2021).
The section mandates consultation with stakeholders prior to the finalisation of regulations made under the Act.
Ahmed was represented by Mr. Ogbugo Ukoha, Executive Director, Distribution Systems, Storage and Retailing Infrastructure (DSSRI), NMDPRA, and Chairman, Technical Team on Stakeholders’ Engagement.
He said that it would also provide requirements for the administration of the fund.
“The proposed regulations will streamline activities concerning health, safety and environmental operations, including decommissioning and abandonment in the midstream and downstream petroleum industry,’’ he said.
He said that Section 33 of the PIA was to the effect that the authority may make regulations for all activities relating to midstream and downstream petroleum operations in Nigeria.
He, however, reiterated its unwavering commitment towards ensuring full implementation of the PIA in the creation of a vibrant midstream and downstream petroleum sector in Nigeria.
“Accordingly, the proposed 2025 Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Safety and Environmental Regulations consolidated three of the authority’s earlier published regulations into a single document.
“Three of the regulations that were consolidated are Borders of Safety Regulations, Abandonment and Decommissioning Regulations and Environmental Regulations.
“The consolidation process has enabled the NMPDRA to reduce the complexities of navigating and implementing it’s numerous regulations.
“It is aimed at eliminating inconsistencies and repetitions across multiple regulations; and engendering further compliance with the PIA and regulations made thereto,’’ he said.
Ahmed said that the regulations would be read in conjunction with other regulations made by the NMPDRA.
He listed those other regulations to include the Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Fees Regulations, 2024 which provides for prescribed fees for petroleum activities.
He thanked the stakeholders for their submissions and participation, adding that the authority would incorporate their feedbacks where applicable, to harmonise the regulations.
In an overview, Dr Joseph Tolorunse, Authority Secretary and Legal Adviser, highlighted the objectives and compliance measures of the regulations.
According Tolorunse, the regulations provides the safety and environmental standards to be observed during petroleum operations.
He said that they also and regulated safety and occupational health practices in the Nigerian midstream and downstream petroleum operations.
He further said that the regulations were aimed at ensuring rehabilitation or management of negative environmental impacts arising from midstream and downstream petroleum operations, while outlining duties of licensees and permit holders.
The secretary said that the draft regulations, which comprised 15 parts and 121 regulations, encompassed all activities concerning health, safety, and environmental operations, including decommissioning and abandonment within the sector.
“In line with Section 216 of the PIA, the authority has convened this forum to enable comprehensive discussions and engagement with its stakeholders aimed at producing a detailed and effective regulatory document,” he said.
He recalled that in 2023, the authority made the three regulations but decided to consolidate the into one regulation.
He said that the new regulation was called Mainstream and Downstream Safety and Environmental Regulations to promote ease of doing business.
Dr Akinwumi Adesina says his passion to mobilise global capital for Africa’s development will continue way beyond his presidency of the African Development Bank, which ends on September 1, 2025.
In a keynote speech titled “Tilting Global Capital for Unlocking Investment Opportunities in Africa”, delivered at the Standard Chartered Africa Summit on July 31, in Lagos, Adesina said: “Together, let us tilt global capital to unlock Africa’s assets. As I step into a new future, you can be sure this will be my focus! For I will always have Africa in my heart and in my sight.”
Akinwunmi Adesina
The Standard Chartered Africa Summit, with the theme, “Africa to the Globe: Innovation, Resilience, and Growth”, brought together corporate leaders, policymakers, investors and other stakeholders. Attendees included Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote; Nigeria’s Minister of Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole; Hakeem Belo-Osagie, Chairman, FSDH Group and Senior Lecturer at Harvard Business School; and award-winning author, Chimamanda Adichie.
Adesina kicked off by alluding to his signature optimism about Africa’s prospects. “When I was approached to consider delivering the keynote speech, I did not hesitate. How can someone known as ‘Africa’s Optimist in Chief’ not accept to speak on Africa,” he said.
Highlighting the African Development Bank’s focus on bold financial innovation in the last decade, Adesina declared, “The African Development Bank is not just waiting for more capital, we are innovating to do more with the capital we have. Through our balance sheet optimization initiatives, we are stretching every dollar of risk capital further. Our ambition is threefold: free up capital, crowd in investors and amplify development impact.”
He outlined several ambitious and innovative financing solutions pioneered by the African Development Bank, supported by its AAA rating which it has maintained over the last decade:
Over $102 billion in low-cost financing to Africa since 2015
Capital raise from $93 billion in 2015 to $318 billion in 2024, the highest in the Bank’s sixty-year history
Spearheading, in partnership with the Inter-American Development, the rechanneling of the IMF’s Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) to multilateral development banks – a move that will of the rechanneled SDRs as hybrid capital, which can be leveraged by 4-8 times.
The Africa Investment Forum, launched by the Bank in collaboration with strategic partners, has mobilized over $225 billion in investment interest across infrastructure, energy, agribusiness, manufacturing and other critical sectors, since 2018
The biggest social bond issuance by multilateral development banks, amounting to $14 billion in the past eight years.
$10 billion of long-term global benchmark bonds issued in 2025 alone to finance projects across Africa
The first-ever synthetic securitization of a non-sovereign portfolio by a multilateral development bank, involving the transfer of mezzanine risk of a $1 billion portfolio of private sector loans.
The first-ever private sector hybrid capital transaction by a multilateral development bank, valued at $750 million – with over 275 investors participating with a book order of $5.1 billion, making it the largest ever book order achieved by the African Development Bank.
A Room to Run Sovereign offering that created an estimated $2 billion in new sovereign lending headroom
16 partial credit and partial risk guarantees valued at close to $3 billion, mobilizing $ 5 billion for the continent
A $250 million partial credit guarantee that allowed Egypt to raise the first ever Panda Bond by an African country on the Chinese capital market, valued at $500 million.
Adesina praised Standard Chartered Bank’s successful partnership with the African Development Bank’s successful partnership, which notably delivered a partial credit guarantee for Côte d’Ivoire in 2023 – a deal that won “Sovereign Syndicated Loan Deal of the Year” at the 2025 Bonds, Loans & ESG Capital Markets Africa Awards in Cape Town, South Africa, in April.
“The Standard Chartered Bank participated as the sole lender in the 2023 Cote d’Ivoire’s sustainable loan partial credit guarantee transaction. The African Development Bank was able to unlock €533 million from the Standard Chartered Bank in support of the country’s financing needs.”
He also congratulated Standard Chartered on being named Best Transaction Bank at the Asset Triple A Treasurise Awards in Hong Kong. “Your record breaking 127 accolades reflects an exceptionally strong track record of excellence in banking and finance, globally.”
Adesina urged global financial institutions to partner more strategically with the African Development Bank and other multilateral development banks, to scale up capital flows to Africa.
He called for greater use of risk mitigation and credit enhancement instruments, mainstreaming of best practices in Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG), and increased collaboration to scale up local currency financing solutions.
Adesina’s delegation included the Bank Group’s Vice President for Private Sector, Infrastructure and Industrialization Solomon Quaynor, and the Director General of the Nigeria Country Department, Dr. Abdul Kamara.
The African Development Bank’s current active portfolio in Nigeria is the largest in the Bank, valued at $5.1 billion and comprising 52 operations, equally distributed between the public and private sectors, with 26 projects each. National operations account for 84% of the portfolio, while multinational operations constitute the balance of 16%.
The Bank Group is set to establish a Youth Entrepreneurship Investment Bank in Nigeria, as part of a pan-African portfolio designed to create and finance entrepreneurship opportunities for young Africans.
The Bank is also rolling out Phase 1 of its Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones across 8 States, including the Federal Capital Territory. Construction has already begun in four States of Kaduna, Cross River, Oyo and Ogun. Phase 2, which will cover the remaining 28 states, is scheduled to take off from September 2025.
Officials of the Abia and Imo State Governments have said that adequate measures have been put in place to avert the perennial challenges of flooding usually experienced every rainy season in the two sister-states.
The Executive Secretary, Abia State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Dr Sunday Jackson, spoke extensively on specific steps already taken by the Gov. Alex Otti-led government to battle the phenomenon this year.
Gov. Alex Otti of Abia State
Jackson said in an interview in Umuahia that the government’s efforts were designed to enhance community resilience and reduce flooding risks.
He said that SEMA, collaborating with the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), had earlier carried out downscaling in some flood-prone communities in the state.
He described downscaling in flood sensitisation as “the process of disseminating early warning strategies to flood-prone communities to increase their preparations against flooding and reduce their risks”.
He said the exercise involved sensitising stakeholders, community leaders, and local government officials on flood risk management, early warning systems, and effective response mechanisms.
He also explained that the agency had been meeting with relevant stakeholders for preparedness to enable it to respond promptly when the disasters eventually occurred.
Jackson said that the government had inaugurated a committee to sensitise communities in the flood-prone Local Government areas (LGAs).
He listed the LGAs identified by the Nigerian Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) and Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) to include Aba North, Isiala Ngwa North and Isiala Ngwa South.
Others were Isuikwato, Ukwa East, Ukwa West, Umuahia North and Umuahia South.
Jackson said that Flood Red Flags Awareness Committee inaugurated by the Commissioner for Environment, Mr. Ogbonna Asonye, was expected to start its two-week-long state-wide sensitisation of flood-prone LGAs from Aug. 4.
He said that the government was extending its measures to other flood-prone LGAs, such as Ikwuano, Ugwunagbo and Obingwa, not mentioned in the NIHSA and NiMet forecasts.
The SEMA boss said that, in addition to the flood risk awareness campaign, the agency had begun stockpiling and pre-positioning of relief materials for areas that would be affected.
Jackson said that SEMA had also identified high ground areas where people could be taken, if their residences got submerged.
“We have a resettlement centre at Mgbarakuma in Umuahia South LGA, even though the construction is ongoing; we are also doing massive assessment of communities affected by flooding.
“The essence is to enable us know those affected, the magnitude of the flood before we seek possible government intervention.
“But the disasters that are beyond the capacity of the state, we can now look out for NEMA and other development partners that will assist to cushion their effect,” he said.
A visit by our correspondent to Umuafai, one of the flood-prone communities in Umuahia North LGA, for an on-the-spot assessment, showed that government had initiated some measures to mitigate the disaster.
A community leader, Chief Patrick Amakwe, confirmed that SEMA, in collaboration with NEMA, did downscaling in the area in May.
“The government officials that came here have sensitised us, including educating us on proper drainage maintenance and de-silting practices,” he said.
Meanwhile, the General Manager, Abia State Environmental Protection Agency (ASEPA), Mr. Ogbonnia Okereke, said the agency had taken steps to guard against potential flood threats in the state.
Okereke said that ASEPA had embarked on an intensive and ongoing clearing and de-silting of drainages, stormwater channels, and natural waterways in the state.
He said that the exercise was crucial in ensuring free flow of water during heavy rainfall, which would reduce the likelihood of flooding.
“We are making sure all the drains and storm channels are clear of debris and soil so that the water can flow freely,” he said.
Okereke said that, in addition to clearing channels, ASEPA had activated the monitoring of water levels in areas known to be susceptible to flooding in the state.
According to him, the agency has a contingency plan in place to relocate residents, should water levels pose a threat.
“There is continuous monitoring, and if the need arises, we will urgently relocate people.
“But of course, relocation is always tricky because many residents don’t want to leave unless they see an immediate danger,” he said.
Okereke further said that ASEPA had also commenced enforcing regulations against indiscriminate building on floodplains and blocking of drainage channels to reduce flood risks.
“We don’t allow anybody to build on natural water channels. If we see such structures, we stop them,” Okereke said.
He explained that flood response efforts were inter-agency coordinated, implying a shared responsibility between ASEPA and other relevant departments, especially for evacuation plans and emergency responses.
“The major constraint is the state’s inability to access ecological funds from the Federal Government, though we are working on it as a government,” he said.
Okereke said that ASEPA had launched public awareness campaigns aimed at changing environmental behaviour among residents.
“We are telling our people not to dump waste into gutters or waterways and keep their environments clean,” he said.
He urged residents to be environmentally-conscious and partner with the government in preserving the ecosystem.
The Executive Director of Foundation for Environmental Rights, Advocacy and Development (FENRAD), Mr Nelson Nwafor, said that the foundation had started driving grassroots action to reduce flood risks.
Nwafor said that his organisation had conducted baseline studies and engaged flood-prone communities to assess infrastructure and vulnerability to future flooding.
He said FENRAD was planning a community capacity-building programme in partnership with SEMA and national actors to boost preparedness and resilience.
Nwafor urged government agencies to act swiftly, warning that climate forecasts signalled the real threat of devastating floods in parts of the country.
He described ongoing flooding in Plateau and other states as warning signs of what could happen in Abia, if measures were not urgently taken.
He also expressed concern over the lack of cooperation from government agencies, such as SEMA, which he said had been slow to engage with civil society organisations.
According to him, FENRAD’s attempts to initiate dialogue and offer technical support had not received positive responses from relevant government bodies handling flood mitigation.
He said that government agencies may have their strategies but were not working in synergy with advocacy groups and civil society organisations closer to the communities.
Nwafor stressed that without inclusive planning and shared responsibility, interventions would fall short and communities would remain dangerously exposed to the risks of flooding.
He called for increased awareness campaigns, inclusive mapping of flood-prone areas, and resilience-based infrastructure planning to reduce vulnerability and enhance public safety.
On community participation, he said baseline studies must involve residents, identify problems, responsible actors, time frames, and methods for solving flooding and environmental challenges.
He advocated direct engagement of local populations, including women, youth, and persons with disabilities, in all planning, education, and intervention efforts.
According to him, holding events in state capitals was not enough as interventions should happen in communities facing the actual ecological threats and risks.
He said inclusive consultations, site visits, and knowledge sharing remained essential to achieving long-term and community-owned flood solutions in Abia and other vulnerable states.
Also, a journalist, Mr. Imeremba Imeremba, recounted how recent flooding in his community; destroyed household items and forced residents to seek shelter elsewhere until the water receded.
Imeremba said that the community had since started taking precautionary steps, such as safeguarding household belongings at the onset of the rainy season.
He urged the government to provide timely alerts and emergency shelters for flood-prone communities, including enforcing relocation policies and building floodwater restrictions in vulnerable areas.
He also identified harmful local practices, like sand excavation and construction over waterways as key contributors to recurrent flooding in the community.
Also in Imo, stakeholders expressed readiness to implement precautionary measures to mitigate the impact of flooding, following warnings from Nimet and NIHSA.
Contributing, Mr. Nnamdi Igwe, the Head of Operations, NEMA, Owerri Zonal Office, said the agency had held series of meetings with other stakeholders in the state over the impending flooding.
“Last week, we concluded trainings on basic first aid, camp management, and preparedness of stakeholders.
“In terms of stocking of items, NEMA Director-General has graciously approved relief materials in preparedness for the impact of the flood during the rainy season.
“We already have tents and more than enough relief materials all stocked at the Owerri warehouse,” he said.
Igwe said the agency conducted weekly checks on the rising level of the Oguta lake as part of efforts to monitor the situation so as not to be taken unawares.
According to him, it has been raining for over a month non-stop, and during our visit last week, we discovered that the lake had risen a bit.
He said that the agency was collaborating with SEMA and Imo Ministry of Environment on the preparation of camp for those that would likely be displaced by the flood.
The operations officer said that similar preparations were ongoing in Abia, which also falls under the Owerri Zone.
He further disclosed that the Director-General of the agency had approved the delivery of a brand new ambulance for the zone in case of eventualities.
He advised those living around the flood-prone areas to be wary of the river tide, especially at nights when they retired to asleep.
“Everybody should be attentive, listen to news, radios and have their go-bag for quick relocation to upper ground.
“Don’t say the place is your ancestral land and, therefore, sit down and fail to take precautionary measures.
“We should always be prepared as disasters come without warnings,” he emphasised.
He urged those who may not want to go to the camps prepared by the government to move early to other safer upland areas.
“The most important thing is that we don’t have to wait for the flood to come before taking precautionary measures,” he said.
Similarly, the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) urged residents of flood-prone areas in the state to adopt preventative measures to mitigate the impact of the impending flood disaster.
The Owerri Area Manager of NIWA, Mr. Vincent Odia, said the authority had initiated sensitisation campaign on flood control and safety on waterways at Oguta in Oguta Local Government Area of the state.
Odia said that the campaign was aimed at preventing avoidable loss of lives and property, following the predicted 2025 flooding.
He emphasised that most accidents on waterways were caused by human carelessness rather than supernatural forces.
“The essence of the engagement was to bring disaster awareness to residents of high-risk areas, where floods usually strike first.
“It would be a great disaster that they went on a journey and did not return.
“Most of these accidents that happen on our waterways are not caused by demons but as a result of our carelessness,” he said.
Odia, therefore, urged residents in flood-prone areas to abide by the directives on safety by avoiding late night transportation on the waterways and also ensure the use of life jackets, among others.
On his part, the state Commissioner for Special Duties, Mr. Nelson Abazu, affirmed the state’s commitment to mitigating the effects of the impending flood disaster in the state.
Abazu urged residents of flood-prone areas to relocate to safer grounds.
He assured them that the State Government had concluded necessary logistics to relocate and safeguard the lives and property of residents.
“As soon as we notice the rise in water level, the government will issue alerts and instructions,’’ he said.
Communities in Bayelsa and Delta states have called for the establishment of functional waste management systems, improved access to agricultural inputs and credit as solutions to climate change challenges in their areas.
The call is contained in a statement issued by Mrs. Success Nwanedo, the Senior Communications Officer of Academic Associates Peace works (AAPW), in Port Harcourt on Tuesday, August 5, 2025.
Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State
According to Nwanedo, the communities made the call during town-hall meetings organised by AAPW, with support from the Embassy of Denmark in Nigeria.
She said the town-hall meetings were held across selected communities in Bayelsa and Delta.
Nwanedo said the meetings were part of AAPW ongoing initiative entitled “Advancing Community Capacity to Mitigate Climate Change Impact and Develop Green and Blue Economy in the Niger Delta.”
She said that the meetings were aimed at empowering local communities to take ownership of environmental policies and amplify their voices in climate governance.
Nwanedo explained that participants from the communities shared concerns over the continued pollution of their waterways through oil spills and the health impacts of gas flaring.
“Also, the destruction of marine life by unregulated trawlers, and the visible absence of environmental sanitation infrastructure,” she said.
According to her, some representatives of the communities called for enforcement of conservation laws, and the localisation of environmental policies to reflect community realities.
“They said these policies should be translated from environmental laws on paper to practice,” she stated.
Nwanedo said the AAPW would continue to work with community stakeholders, traditional institutions, and policymakers to turn dialogue into action, strengthening local bylaws, building technical capacity, and deepening environmental accountability.
A decisive chapter in the global fight against plastic pollution began on Tuesday, August 5, 2025, in Geneva, Switzerland.
Delegates from 184 countries convened for the second part of the fifth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-5.2 session).
Opening plenary of the fifth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-5.2 session)
This historic mission is to finalise a legally binding international treaty aimed at ending plastic pollution, including in marine environments – and prepare it for adoption at a future Diplomatic Conference.
According to a statement by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the high-stakes negotiations, will run from Aug. 5 to Aug. 14.
It said the negotiations mark the culmination of a two-year process that began in Punta del Este, Uruguay, in 2022, and continued through key sessions in Paris, Nairobi, Ottawa, and most recently, Busan, Republic of Korea, in December 2024.
According to the statement, INC-5.2 has brought together more than 3,700 participants from 184 nations and over 619 observer organisations, making it the most ambitious global environmental negotiation since the Paris Agreement.
“Plastic pollution is already in nature, in our oceans, and even in our bodies. If we continue on this trajectory, the whole world will be drowning in plastic—with massive consequences for planetary, economic, and human health.
“But this does not have to be our future. Agreeing on a treaty text is the first step to beating plastic pollution for everyone, everywhere,” said Inger Andersen, Executive Director of UNEP.
Since the last session in Busan, momentum has been building through a series of informal ministerial consultations, regional dialogues, and stakeholder meetings.
However, this Geneva session marks the moment for concrete outcomes.
Luis Vayas Valdivieso, Chair of the INC, said, “We are here today to fulfill an international mandate.
“This is a unique and historic opportunity for the global community to bridge differences and find common ground.
“It is not just a test of our diplomacy; it is a test of our collective responsibility to protect the environment, safeguard human health, enable sustainable economies, and stand in solidarity with those most affected by this crisis,” Valdivieso remarked.
The treaty under negotiation is expected to cover the entire life cycle of plastics from production and design to consumption, disposal, and remediation.
It will also tackle associated issues such as microplastics, extended producer responsibility, financial mechanisms, and technology transfer, crucial to countries in the Global South.
Katrin Schneeberger, Director, Swiss Federal Office for the Environment, said: “Plastic waste is choking our lakes, harming wildlife, and threatening human health.
“This is more than just an environmental issue. It is a global challenge that demands urgent and collective action.
“Over the coming days, we have an opportunity to make a real difference by negotiating an effective Plastics Treaty and identifying comprehensive solutions and measures that address the full life cycle of plastic,” he added.
Jyoti Mathur-Filipp, Executive Secretary of the INC, said: “What was set in motion in Nairobi has weathered complexities, moments of challenge, and hard-won progress – and it is precisely this shared endurance that strengthens our resolve and brings us, determined and forward-looking, to this historic hall today.
“Being hosted at the Palais des Nations situates INC‑5.2 within a long tradition of crucial multilateral negotiations, diplomatic breakthroughs, and international legal frameworks. It is essential that this session now be part of that legacy.”
