As President Muhammadu Buhari flags-off the cleaning of the environment of Ogoniland today, Thursday 02 June 2016, environmental activist Ninimmo Bassey says history is in the making. He acknowledges the labours of past heroes like the late Ken Saro-Wiwa towards making the day a reality
Land degradation from oil spill in Ogoniland, Nigeria
The submission of the UNEP report on the assessment of the Ogoni environment in August 2011 laid to rest any doubts anyone may have had over the degree of hydrocarbons pollution in the Ogoniland, and by implication the Niger Delta. That scientific work proved to the whole world that Ogoniland has suffered extreme pollution and by interpretation that the response ought to be one of environmental emergency. For years down the road, there has been nothing concrete beyond signposts to indicate that this signal was understood by government.
In his statement before execution, Ken Saro-Wiwa declared that we all stand before history. Today, in another sense, we all stand at the brink of history. We stand at the line denoting the fact of the justness of the historic, determined and heroic calls for a clean-up of Ogoniland.
Today, we salute the memory of the Ogoni 13 and all that have laid down their lives, lost their limbs and were displaced in the hard and long years of struggle for justice. Today, we stand in solidarity with our peoples who still breathe air loaded with hydrocarbon fumes, drink water laced with toxic chemicals, fish and farm in polluted lands. Today we recall a fragment from one of the letters Ken Saro-Wiwa wrote during his last imprisonment and note his cry for environmental justice:
I’m not going into partisan politics. What I meant is that I would be taking a wider role in the nation’s affairs—expanding the Ogoni struggle to other parts of the delta and beyond. I could never be a part of whatever Abacha is planning for the future. What I want to see, and what I will always argue for is ERECTISM — ethnic autonomy, resource and environmental control. If this comes to pass, then Ogoni will be free and it is to them that I wish to dedicate the rest of my life. And I hope that that can be an example to other ethnic groups. The translation of my dreams into reality. Nothing to do with partisan politics.
With decades of extreme hydrocarbons pollution, the environment of Ogoniland and several places in the Niger Delta has been out of control. The environment that ought to provide the backdrop for life, safety and progress, indeed turned hostile, becoming an impediment to the enjoyment of the right to life.
Today, we applaud the courage of President Muhammadu Buhari as he flags off the cleaning of the environment of Ogoniland as the pathway to the detoxification of the Niger Delta environment. Taking this step at a time such as we are in is a mark of commitment that we must salute.
As members of civil society, and concerned peoples of this great nation, we pledge to contribute our quota to see that this is not a mere political event, but one that is adequately funded, systematically pursued and implemented with clear targets and milestones, with best available expertise and with the full inclusion of local communities. As we commit to do this, we keep in mind the stanza of our national anthem which declares: the labour of our heroes past shall never be in vain.
Just as controlled fires are used to stop larger bush fires, researchers are embracing the use of water-laden components to make dams and control flooding.
The Mobile Dyke
Flood-prone Netherlands, in the bid to adapt to its peculiar situation, is adopting alternatives to the traditional sandbags, which are being replaced by a range of innovative “waterbags” as flood defences.
Courtesy of the Flood Proof Holland (FPH), local and international scientists and inventors at the 4th International Climate Change Adaptation Conference that held recently in Rotterdam demonstrated numerous variants of the damming mechanism.
The FPH is a test facility for innovative temporary flood defences, allowing entrepreneurs to test and use their inventions in a real life environment. FPH is created in close cooperation with the Delft University of Technology.
No fewer than seven innovations were presented to participants at the week-long forum also referred to as: “Adaptation Features 2016” and themed: “Practices and solutions.”
The Velox
Some of the flood defences include: BoxBarrier, SlamDam, Tube Barrier, Mobile Dyke, Grassblock and Velox.
The BoxBarrier is a modular flood defence that consists of box elements, which are connected by joint elements. The boxes are filled with water and covered by a lid.
An official of BAM Infraconsult, which is promoting the use of the product, says: “The BoxBarrier is a very effective temporary flood defence system, which can be used to temporarily heighten the crest of a dike, or to make a temporary dam on a flat terrain. This increased crest height prevents flooding of the areas behind the dike. The concept of the BoxBarrier is characterised by easiness, because it makes use of its opponent: it retains water with water.”
The SlamDam is a mobile emergency dam which can be set up quite easily by two people as soon as there is threat of flooding , and can also be dismantled when the risk of flooding decreases.
Its promoters say that in addition to being deployed in the fight against flooding, the product can be use to contain contaminated being used for firefighting, and also prevent nearby land or waterways from being contaminated in the event of disaster.
The Tube Barrier
A source at SlamDam B. V. discloses: “For centuries, we have been using sandbags in order to protect us from floods. But why are we still using this ancient method? With the current technique, the job can be done a lot faster and more efficiently with the SlamDam, which is an innovative flood defender, developed to handle flood in a quick and efficient and labour-saving way.”
The Tube Barrier is a flexible filled up with water, transforming it into a dam. The flexible tube is segmented in chambers and can be made as long as desired.
“The Tube Barrier is adaptable to local context, is low-tech, user-friendly, easy to install and store, and has a quick response time,” stresses the demonstrator.
Similarly, the Mobile Dyke modules are connected to each other to form a stable chain and filled with water. The system, which consists three material layers to provide a high safety reserve, is available different heights from 45 up to 260 centimetres.
The SlamDam
But the Velox is a flat component that deploys automatically with the upcoming water, and transformed into a barrier. The water stabilises the barrier immediately, and is kept into position by its own weight.
The barrier, it was gathered, can be used for both controlling floods and deviating streams.
The Grassblock is a composite revetment consisting of a porous concrete base covered by earth with a top layer of grass. This creates a surface with a green look which still offers extra durability against hydraulic forces such as wave attack and overtopping.
Torrential rain has hit Germany, France and Austria leaving hundreds of pupils stranded in their schools and families have been forced to scramble to their rooftops to escape the rising deluge.
Several areas in Paris were under red alert as the Seine burst its banks Wednesday morning – one near the Eiffel Tower after days of heavy rain
Several areas in Paris were under red alert as the Seine River burst its banks in several places after four days of almost non-stop rain caused severe flooding in the central Loire Valley area and southeast of the French capital.
Incessant rain in regions of Germany, France and Austria led to flash flooding on Wednesday, leaving hundreds of pupils sleeping at school overnight as access roads were blocked.
In southern Bavaria state on the Austrian border, firefighters and other emergency services were dispatched to inundated towns.
“The floods came so quickly that people had to escape to the roofs of their houses,” a spokesman for the Lower Bavaria regional police said, adding that many streets were submerged.
The town of Triftern, around 200 schoolchildren bunked down in their school, preparing to spend the night, when road access became restricted. A town spokesman said the school building itself was out of danger as it was on higher ground.
A separate group of 27 children on a class trip together with two teachers and a chaperone ran into trouble on a boat trip down the Regen river.
Their group of 12 boats became separated in the raging current sparked by a sudden storm and panic broke out among the pupils.
Evacuated: Residences, schools and a retirement home were evacuated in the town of Montargis, south of Paris and pictured above
About 20 members of the group had to be rescued by emergency services, while the others were able to reach the riverbank on their own.
Just over the border in Austria, heavy rain lashed the Salzburg region, flooding several roads and forcing several schools to announce closures for Thursday.
And in central France, residents called in emergency services 8,000 times in recent days to demand assistance due to flooding.
In Paris, many promenades along the Seine were closed due to high water while in Nemours, 80 kilometres (50 miles) to the south, residents had to be evacuated Wednesday afternoon after the Loing river burst its banks.
The neighbouring Loiret region saw the average rainfall of six weeks in just three days and Chambord, the Loire Valley’s best-known Renaissance chateau and a tourist magnet, was surrounded by rising waters.
The A10 Paris-Bordeaux motorway and rail lines north of Orleans were cut by floods, as was the main rail line from the eastern city of Metz to Luxembourg. Residences, schools and a retirement home were evacuated in the town of Montargis, 110 km (68 miles) south of Paris.
The national weather service said France had endured the wettest month of May since records began 150 years ago.
Emergency services have responded to some 8,000 call-outs, Interior Minister Berhard Cazeneuve said. Officials said the Seine was set to rise to a peak level of 5.60 metres on Friday, below the 6.00 metre level that would flood the RER underground railway and far below the 8.60 metre record hit in 1910.
A new interactive map shows that lead exposure costs India $236 billion annually. Economic Costs of Childhood Lead Exposure in Low-and Middle-Income Countries was developed by New York University School of Medicine, Department of Paediatrics (NYU) and released on 23rd May 2016 at the United Nations Environment Assembly meeting held in Nairobi, Kenya. It can be accessed at: http://www.med.nyu.edu/pediatrics/research/environmentalpediatrics/leadexposure.
Satish Sinha, Associate Director, Toxics Link
“Children’s developing brains are permanently harmed by exposure to lead. One key impact is reduction in IQ score, which is correlated with decreases in lifetime earning potential. For the nation as a whole population-wide reductions in IQ means greater social costs and reduced intellectual capital, and other factors that adversely impact India’s economy, as the NYU map clearly shows,” said Satish Sinha, Associate Director, Toxics Link.
According to the World Health Organisation, “There is no known level of lead exposure that is considered safe. “When a young child is exposed to lead, the harm to her or his nervous system makes it more likely that the child will have difficulties in school and engage in impulsive and violent behaviour. Lead exposure in young children is also linked to increased rates of hyperactivity, inattentiveness, failure to graduate from high school, conduct disorder, juvenile delinquency, drug use, and incarceration.
According to the NYU researchers: “One of the most important things we can do to decrease children’s exposure to lead in LMICs (low- and middle-income countries) is to ensure lead is no longer used in household paint and other paints to which children may be exposed (such as paints on playground equipment).”
Toxics Link is a partner organisation in IPEN’s Global Lead Paint Elimination Campaign.
Between 2007 and 2015 Toxics Link released total five studies that analysed lead content in paints sold in national markets in India. Each study found lowering of lead contents (indicating the phasing out of lead from the paint) while compared to the earlier studies, major paint manufacturer as well as some SMEs (70% market) have now phased out lead from their paint. The Bureau of Indian Standard also revised lead in paint standards to 90 ppm and subsequently the Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate change has issued a draft notification for the mandatory standard for lead content in household and decorative paints in the country.
“The research and the map clearly demonstrate that lead exposure greatly erodes the gains of sustainable development as long as childhood exposure to lead continues,” said Ravi Agarwal, Director Toxics Link.
Worldwide the cost of lead exposure, according to the NYU research, is $977 billion international dollars with economic losses equal to:
$134.7 billion in Africa (4.03% of gross domestic product (GDP) in that region),
$142.3 billion in Latin America and the Caribbean (2.04% of GDP in that region), and
$699.9 billion in Asia (1.88% of GDP in that region).
To prepare the interactive map, researchers assessed the neuro-developmental impacts of lead, assessed as decrements (or reductions) in intelligence quotient (IQ) points caused by lead and how those reductions translated into decreases in lifetime earning potential, assessed as lost lifetime economic productivity (LEP) in each country examined.
Additional comparison information to developed countries and to official development assistance (ODAs) dollars is also provided, along with links to the full report and supplemental information.
Toxics Link is an Indian environmental research and advocacy organisation set up in 1996, engaged in disseminating information to help strengthen the campaign against toxics pollution, provide cleaner alternatives and bring together groups and people affected by this problem.
Switzerland on Wednesday inaugurated Gotthard Base Tunnel, staging a massive celebration to honour the longest and deepest railway tunnel in the world. Leaders of France, Italy and Germany attended the opening ceremony.
The tunnel will curb emission as it is expected to get some 600,000 trucks off the road every year. Photo credit: Picture-alliance/Keystone/M. Ruetschi
Swiss President Johann Schneider-Ammann described the tunnel as a “once-in-a-century” feat at the ceremony.
Some 600 artists performed at the opening ceremony, featuring musical bands, clowns, acrobats, masked actors and a tunnel theme song. The government also staged a lottery with 130,000 participants, awarding train tickets for the inaugural trip to 500 people.
Among the passengers were German Chancellor Angela Merkel, French President Francois Hollande and Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi, taking a 20-minute trip between Swiss towns Uri and Bodio.
Merkel lauded the work of Swiss engineers and said the tunnel was a symbol of the connectedness of people in Europe. “We have a lot of discussion in the Schengen zone – also because of the refugees – on how we can preserve the freedom of movement within Europe,” the chancellor said.
The tunnel “would connect people and cultures and strengthen connections. I think that is wonderful,” she added.
‘Conquering’ the Alps
The Gotthard Base Tunnel breaks several records – it not only the longest, but also the deepest tunnel in the world, passing 2.3 kilometres (1.5 miles) bellow a mountain peak. The depth is comparable to some of the deepest mines on Earth and temperatures can reach 46 degrees Celsius (115 Fahrenheit).
During 17 years of construction, workers had to move over 28 million tons of rock from the inside of the mountain massif. It was completed about a year ahead of schedule, on a budget 12.2 billion Swiss francs ($12.2 billion, 11.0 billion euro).
“It is just part of the Swiss identity,” said Swiss Transport Director Peter Fueglistaler. “For us, conquering the Alps is like the Dutch exploring the oceans.”
Shortcut across Europe
The project received financial and engineering support from around the European Union, as the tunnel cutting through the Swiss Alps gives a major boost to trains traveling across Europe. It is also praised for its environmental impact – the improved railway line should get 600,000 trucks off the road every year, with goods loaded to freight trains instead.
Germany already invested 2 billion euros ($2.2 billion) to expand the railway line in the Rhine valley, aiming to increase cargo traffic through the new tunnel. Berlin also earmarked an additional 6.5 billion euros for the project, German Transport Minister Alexander Dobrindt said in Switzerland on Wednesday.
Authorities intend to conduct additional 3,000 tests in the Gotthard base tunnel before opening it to normal operation in December this year.
The first quarter of the year in Nigeria has always been noted as usually the hottest period with regards to weather variability and default seasonal pattern. This period is characterised with high solar intensity and consequently high temperature build-up, which in a lot of ways, causes a great deal of discomfort to people.
Armed Fulani herdsmen: A probable climate-linked impact is the prevalent invasion of these herdsmen in the South.
The hot period is often short termed because the raining season breaks the hot cycle with the usually long wet months, which invariably ushers in the period of plenty (food production).
However, the first quarter of 2016 has recorded the hottest so far in this part of the world. The temperature was unusually higher than favourably normal while the accompanied heat wave broke every precedence record. Just as if the physiological discomfort is not enough, some food items have taken on the side of becoming out of reach for the common man. For instance, the common and once affordable tomato fruit, which has now become so scarce and expensive, is now temporarily classified as food for the rich. An unlikely year as it all seems, it is just reasonable to realise that the problem at hand is an interconnected one, with a pointer in the direction of the changing climate.
Inferences and insights on the prevailing agro-weather situation in the country have shown many links with direct impact of climate change on the weather condition and food production. In a lot of ways, this period seems to have presented a perfect platform to show the vivid picture of what climate change is. Of course, it has related impacts to the hard-to-crack or rather ignorant Nigerians, who overtime have found it difficult to reason with the phenomenon of the changing climate.
While the country is currently facing a steep downturn financially, climate change has further added to the hardship being faced by the teeming population. This is with the essential agro-dependent consumable provisions that are becoming rather out of easy reach.
Agricultural outputs have largely dwindled as a result of weather variability and in turn, impaired food production and availability. Another probable climate-linked impact is the prevalent invasion of the Fulani herdsmen in the South. The aridity status of the northern part of the country, from where these people hail has led to their southward’s migration in search of edible vegetation for their cattle. As a result, a number of farmlands have been destroyed and levelled aground. This has invariably led to a number of mortal clashes with farm owners. The herdsmen in turn, have recorded loss of lives and property.
The variability in weather condition on its own, has a rather constant attribute – heat build-up. This heat build-up arises from the ever-rising temperature through the greenhouse effect. The escalating temperature, in a way, has been linked to some disease outbreak and spread among the human population as well as the incidental rise of pathogenic attack on plants and livestock. Such could be the case with the current problem of the availability of tomatoes in Nigeria. The challenge has been linked to a disease outbreak (tomato leaf miner disease) that has led to the destruction of about 40% of anticipated harvest. The disease has been noted to be spreading at an alarming rate and this has even called for the declaration of a state of emergency in some parts of the North.
The leaf miner disease has been on a migratory trend with its point of origin in South America and now spreading fast through Europe and Africa. In the manner of considering the shift in the trend of the global ecosystem as a result of climate change, some localised latent disease have found possible conditions to assuming the status of full-blown epidemics and an above average spread rate potential. The leaf miner disease is on rampage in Nigeria and to a great extent, the possibility of the link with the impact of climate change, is quite on the high side of certainty.
So, in the manner of the unfolding events in the country as of today, climate change seem to bare itself in its absolute nakedness and the clarity of its impacts is altogether becoming more obvious after all. Now seems the time when government should work out a way of facilitating extensive awareness programs. This will accommodate the necessary awareness to effect practices that would ensure adequate adaptation to the changing climate. Also, it’s just the right time to speed up the passing of necessary bills that would facilitate the activation of the template of adaptation and mitigation contained in the country’s intended nationally determined contribution (INDC) submitted to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
The Nigerian Tobacco Control Alliance (NTCA) has urged the Federal Government to immediately initiate the regulation that will enforce plain packaging of tobacco products in the country.
Gbenga Adejuwon
In a statement issued on Tuesday in Lagos by its Alliance Manager, Gbenga Adejuwon, to mark this year’s World No Tobacco Day (WNTD), NTCA said the Federal Ministry of Health should also begin immediate and full implementation of the National Tobacco Control Act 2015.
According to the coalition, several countries including Australia, United Kingdom, France and Ireland have passed laws to implement plain packaging of tobacco products “and Nigeria cannot be an exemption.”
“Plain packaging is one measure aimed at prohibiting the use of logos, colours, brand images or promotional information on packaging other than brand names and product names displayed in a standard colour and font style (plain packaging).
“This measure is proven to reduce tobacco product attractiveness, use of tobacco packs for advertisement, using tobacco packs for misleading information while increasing the effectiveness of health warnings
“We strongly believe it is the time for the Nigerian government to commence effective implementation of the National Tobacco control Act and that should include plain packaging of tobacco products,” Adejuwon said.
The theme of this year’s WNTD is “Get Ready for Plain Packaging” and the World Health Organisation (WHO) is using the day to urge governments around the world to enact regulations to enforce the measure.
The global public health body recommends that plain packaging be implemented alongside large health warnings designed to warn consumers of the risks associated with tobacco use.
Debt Management Office (DMO) Director-General Dr. Abraham Nwankwo has painted a rosy economic future anchored on diversification and enhanced revenue from taxation. According to him, in three to five years, Nigerians will feel the impact of the present administration’s policies on manufacturing, agriculture, entertainment and mining, among others, because they will strengthen the naira and improve foreign reserves
Dr. Abraham Nwankwo, head of the DMO. Photo credit: newsexpressngr.com
The naira and foreign reserves are the worst hit in the wake of Nigeria’s dwindling revenue because of the crash in crude oil prices. The naira has shot up from 215 to 350 against the dollar in the last 16 months in the parallel market; the reserves have continued on their downward slide from over $36 billion to $26.5 billion within the same period.
As worrisome as these indicators may be, Debt Management Office (DMO) Director-General Dr. Abraham Nwankwo described them as temporary setbacks that will be overcome when the government’s policy on diversification of the economy begins to crystalise.
At an interactive session with reporters in Lagos last weekend, Nwankwo said the government’s efforts at revitalising other sectors of the economy, such as agriculture, solid minerals and manufacturing, among others, will impact on the economy in the next three to five years.
He said when the economy is diversified, Nigeria’s growth will not be determined by the prices of crude oil.
The DMO boss said much revenue would be derived from taxation, adding that the country’s low comparative tax revenue to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) ratio, currently at about seven per cent against the 18 per cent average in most developing countries, will improve following efficient production.
He said through taxes, government can secure the fund to finance major developmental projects that will impact on the people’s lives.
Nwankwo is optimistic that, despite the challenges, Nigeria’s dream of becoming one of the best 20 economies in the world by year 2020 is still realistic.
“The target of getting the country to rank among the 20 leading economies in the world by 2020 is still being pursued. The crash in crude oil prices should not in any way derail that target. When you are running a race and something trips you and you fall, you have to wake up, and continue the journey. Also, even if oil is the base for economic growth and development, it was an inappropriate base for growth. But luckily for the country, there are alternatives in agriculture,” he said.
The DMO chief said the country has been unable to exploit up to 25 per cent of opportunities in agriculture.
He said: “We need to achieve internal food security and have the opportunity to export agro-based products in processed form. Imagine the variety of food stuff from savannah to the deserts, all the various legumes, roots and others that can be grown from these environments. If we effectively exploit agriculture, if and as we are making progress in agriculture, firstly, the major consumer of our forex like agro-based raw materials, rice, fish, poultry, wheat, will be taken care of and government will save billions of dollars from these imports.
“We have the capacity to produce these products and even export to other countries. Based on the pronouncements of the agriculture minister based on the vision of President Buhari, in three to four years, we will be self-sufficient in poultry, rice production. We are on the right path to be self-sufficient in food, and enormous forex will be saved from agriculture production alone. Reserves will rise, and the local currency will be stronger. That is the essence of the growing economy.
“You can see that in the manufacturing sector, some factories are operating below capacity. But with the ongoing implementation of President Muhammadu Buhari’s policy on diversification of the economy and revatilising the power infrastructure, the sector will pick up and create more jobs for the people.”
Road to diversification
President Buhari had in his democracy day broadcast on May 29, said the economic misfortune facing the country due to low crude oil prices has equally provided it with an opportunity to restructure the economy and diversify.
“We are in the process of promoting agriculture, livestock, exploiting our solid mineral resources and expanding our industrial and manufacturing base. That way, we will import less and make the social investments necessary to allow us to produce a large and skilled workforce. Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) will offer more fiscal incentives for business that prove capable of manufacturing products that are internationally competitive. We remain committed to reforming the regulatory framework, for investors by improving the ease of doing business in Nigeria,” he told Nigerians.
Already, the first steps along the path of self-sufficiency in rice, wheat and sugar – big users of Nigeria’s scarce foreign exchange – have been taken.
For instance, the Labour Intensive Farming Enterprise will boost the economy and ensure inclusive growth in long neglected communities. Special intervention funds through the Bank of Agriculture will provide targeted support.
Also, the Solid Minerals Minister the minister has produced a roadmap where we will work closely with the World Bank and major international investors to ensure through best practices and due diligence that we choose the right partners. Illegal mining remains a problem and we have set up a special security team to protect our assets. Special measures will be in place to protect miners in their work environment.
The National Economic Team under the Presidency chaired and managed by the Vice President Prof Yemi Osinbajo which also has the Finance Minster, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun as member. The DMO’s Director-General, Dr. Abraham Nwankwo, is also a member of the team. Other members are Ministers of Budget; Trade and Investment; and Information. The team is expected to guide the government to achieve the desired result.
Eurobond sale coming
Beyond the need to diversify the economy, Dr. Nwankwo also said Nigeria may still access the Eurobond or sovereign sukuk market for more cash. He said Nigeria is working out details for issuing a debut sovereign sukuk this year and may also sell a Eurobond.
He hinted that Nigeria had yet to determine the size of a potential sukuk deal and was working with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the Central Bank of Nigeria and the stock exchange to build capacity.
Besides, Nigeria’s low debt to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) ratio means the country can borrow more to fund budget, infrastructure and other essential projects that will stimulate the economy and create jobs for the citizenry.
Nigeria, reeling from the plunge in vital oil revenues, has set up a government committee to advice on the amount to be raised from the Islamic bond sale, the timing and jurisdiction of issue, either domestic or foreign.
“We are definitely going to issue a sukuk this year. We may also likely issue a Eurobond this year. We are working hard to put together the entire necessary framework,” Nwankwo told Reuters on the sideline of a media briefing.
Budget and infrastructure funding
The DMO boss said the N1.84 trillion deficits in the N6.06 trillion budget for 2016, will be used sorely for capital projects funding. He said this is the only time that such huge amount is allocated and specified for capital projects. “This is the first time that the budget specified that all borrowed funds will be for capital expenditure. The sharing of internal and international borrowing is almost 50/50. We have been borrowing locally, but we have to take advantage of the relatively low cost of funds externally. We do not want to borrow too much from the domestic economy, so that we do not crowd-out the domestic environment,” he said.
He said that given the challenges the economy is going through, much depends on what the media reports. “The media is critical, because what the media tells the international community will determine investment flows into the country. It is our responsibility to continue working hard to ensure the resilience our economy is exhibiting is sustained, until we achieve the turnaround that will come with diversification,” Nwankwo said.
He said achieving self-sufficiency in power will enable government generate more income; companies will be able to pay more taxes, thereby helping government diversify its revenue bases.
“It is possible that in the next five to seven years, the whole picture of Nigeria will be a complete turnaround because of government’s economy diversification plan. The difference between Nigerian and other countries facing similar economic challenges is that those countries do not have the same opportunities we have in Nigeria. Nigeria is near 100 per cent idle capacity, meaning the flexibility to grow the economy is high,” he said.
He urged Nigerians not to be depressed because of drop in crude oil prices. “We have no reason to be depressed just because crude oil price is down. We have to see the varieties of opportunities available for the country to grow the economy based on a well-diversified and sustainable manner. We as responsible stakeholders in the economy, should emphasise these opportunities,” he said.
“Indeed in other countries, the major source of revenue is taxation. Taxation should also be explored. Government should be able to sustain itself with taxation revenues. Now with the better tax compliance, and effective sanctions for defaulters, we have a room to boost public revenue from taxation,” Dr. Nwankwo stated.
Finance Correspondents Association Chairman, Babajide Komolafe, praised the efforts being made by the DMO to support government’s diversification effort. He said the role of DMO in economic development cannot be over emphasised. He said that FICAN will continue to support the DMO to achieve its goals within the economy.
First African lion Range States meeting led by CITES and CMS brings about constructive outcomes in the lead up to CITES CoP17 and CMS COP12
The African lion. Photo: images.nationalgeographic.com
In a historic move, representatives of 28 African lion Range States on Tuesday in Entebbe, Uganda reached broad agreement to secure the survival of this iconic species in the wild across the continent.
The continent-wide consensus on the conservation, management and restoration of the lion (Panthera leo) and its habitat in Africa was reached at a meeting hosted by the Ugandan Government and jointly convened by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) from 30 to 31 May in Entebbe.
According to the 2015 IUCN Red List, African lion populations have experienced an overall decline of 43 per cent between 1993 and 2014. While populations increased in Botswana, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe by 12 per cent over the same period thanks to good wildlife management, other sub-populations in the rest of Africa have plummeted by 60 per cent.
The final communiqué agreed at the two-day inter-governmental meeting, shows consensus among African lion Range States on the importance of conserving lions across the continent and identifies a number of practical actions.
These include: involving local communities in conservation activities and benefit-sharing, mitigating human-lion conflicts, and retaliation killing or poisoning by cattle herders and pastoralists, improving protected area management to benefit lions and restoring connectivity between fragmented lion populations. Countries also agreed on the need to investigate further the illegal trade in lion bones and other parts, the introduction of wildlife and ecosystem-based land-use practices and the need to step up transboundary collaboration to address the plight of African lions.
A carefully crafted consensus on the topic of trophy hunting was also agreed in Entebbe, with all lion Range States present accepting that trophy hunting of lions, if well managed, is a good conservation tool that should not be jeopardized by CITES or CMS. In the communiqué, the 28 Range States “Highlight the benefits that trophy hunting, where it is based on scientifically established quotas, taking into account the social position, age and sex of an animal, have, in some countries, contributed to the conservation of lion populations”.
Habitat loss and degradation is the predominant threat to lions in Africa, triggered by human settlements encroaching into lion habitat. Prey depletion as a result of poaching for bushmeat, and indiscriminate killing and livestock are other major causes of decline. Furthermore, there are concerns about the illegal trade in lion parts for medicinal purposes, and improvements in the management of trophy hunting have been recommended.
Both CMS and CITES are guided by their respective mandates to address threats to the African lion.
At the next CITES Conference of the Parties (COP17) to be held later this year in South Africa, a proposal will be discussed for higher protection by transferring the African lion from Appendix II to Appendix I. Furthermore, various aspects of the trade in and management of lions will be discussed at COP17, including guidance for sustained trophy hunting and enforcement.
CMS for its part is implementing a decision taken at COP11 to promote lion conservation across Africa and pave the way for a listing on Appendix II of CMS at COP12, which will take place 22-28 October 2017 in Manila.
The meeting in Entebbe was made possible thanks to financial support from the Governments of Germany, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. It was also the first time that CITES and CMS have jointly convened such a meeting.
On the occasion of this year’s World No Tobacco Day (WNTD), the Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria (ERA/FoEN) wants the Federal Ministry of Health to expedite action on regulations for implementation of the National Tobacco Control (NTC) Act, which recommends graphic health warnings to cover at least 50 per cent of cigarette packs sold in Nigeria.
Health officials say tobacco smoking is dangerous to health
On May 31 every year, the World Health Organisation (WHO) and partners mark the WNTD, highlighting the health risks associated with tobacco use and advocate for effective policies to reduce tobacco consumption.
This year, the WHO and the Secretariat of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO-FCTC) are calling countries to get ready for plain (standardised) packaging of tobacco products which is described as an important demand reduction measure. Plain packaging restricts use of tobacco packaging as a form of tobacco advertising and promotion, limits misleading packaging and labelling, and increases the effectiveness of health warnings.
Specifically, it refers to measures that restrict or prohibit the use of logos, colours, brand images or promotional information on packaging other than brand names and product names displayed in a standard colour and font style.
Guidelines to Articles 11 and 13 of the WHO FCTC recommend that Parties consider adoption of plain packaging.
ERA/FoEN Deputy Director, Akinbode Oluwafemi, said: “The 2016 WNTD theme reinforces our advocacy that the Ministry of Health quickly unveil regulations for effective implementation of the Tobacco Act. While we seek a review of the Act to accommodate plain packaging, the provision on graphic health warnings on cigarette packs will make the aesthetics of the lethal products less-glamorous for youths that tobacco companies target in their unhealthy marketing tactics.
“In as much as we are not satisfied that the Tobacco Act stopped at just bold graphic health warnings, the delay in the regulations is being exploited by tobacco companies that continue to shamelessly unveil new, beautiful-looking packs with deadlier products intended for the lungs of our people.”
He explained that plain packaging is part of a comprehensive, multi-sectoral approach to tobacco control which was first adopted by Australia in 2012 and has been adopted in Ireland, the United Kingdom and France which also starts plain packaging from May 2016.
“Here in Nigeria, the NTC Act provision on graphic health warnings covering 50 percent of the packs is a good beginning. We will however not rest on our oars. We will continue advocating until tobacco packs sold in Nigeria are totally rid of any attractive logos or colours as recommended by the WHO-FCTC,” he insisted.
