More than 300 whales including 200 pregnant females have been slaughtered in Japan’s latest whaling mission in the Southern Ocean.
Whaling
Japan confirmed the kill as its ships returned from their “scientific” expedition in the Antarctic region on Thursday.
Its actions are in defiance of international criticism and despite a 2014 UN legal decision that ruled so-called scientific whaling activity in the Southern Ocean was a front for commercial hunts.
Greens senator Peter Whish-Wilson accused the federal government of turning its back on Japan’s “sickening” illegal activity.
“Not in 40 years has an Australian government done so little to prevent whaling on our watch and in our waters,” he said.
He accused the government of breaking Environment Minister Greg Hunt’s personal election promise to send a patrol vessel to the Southern Ocean to monitor whaling activity.
The government has repeatedly refused to confirm whether it undertook any monitoring missions in the Southern Ocean this summer.
It has also refused to release legal advice it sought when Japan announced it would resume whaling, despite the International Court of Justice ruling.
Four survey ships from Japan’s Institute of Cetacean Research were in the Antarctic region over a period of 115 days from December 1 last year.
The institute’s report on Thursday confirmed 333 minke whales were captured.
Darren Kindleysides, director of the Australian Marine Conservation Society, said the 2014/15 summer was the first time in 70 years Japan had stopped its whaling program – but the break was short-lived.
He said Australia’s leading international experts had examined Japan’s new so-called scientific research program this year and found it was also a guise for killing whales, and a breach of international law.
“That puts the onus on the Australian government to make sure this is the first and the last season of Japan’s new so-called scientific program.”
The Australian government in December described Japan’s decision to resume whaling over the summer as “deeply disappointing” and insisted it raised concerns at the highest level of the Japanese government.
It had said it would consider sending a Customs patrol vessel to the Southern Ocean and explore options for legal action.
But conservation group Sea Shepherd in February said the Japanese fleet had faced little or no scrutiny over the summer and Australia and New Zealand seemed unwilling to send a ship to intercept them.
Shell has inaugurated the Imani-Shell Estate Phase 2 located in Maitama District of Abuja in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The project was developed by Shell Nigeria Closed Pension Fund Administrator (SNCPFA), in partnership with Imani and Sons Nigeria Limited, and consists of 28-unit luxury residential apartments to complement the existing 51 units in the phase one of the estate.
L-R: Minister of State for Environment, Alhaji Ibrahim Jibrin; Executive Director, Imani & Sons Nigeria Limited, Alhaji Suleiman Abubakar; Minister of Environment, Amina Mohammed; Director, Shell Nigeria Closed Pension Fund Administrator (SNCPFA), Mr. Guy Janssens; SNCPFA Managing Director, Mr. Akeeb Akinola; and the Managing Director, Abuja Investment Company Limited, Dr. Musa AHmed Musa, at the inauguration of the Imani-Shell Estate Phase 2 in Abuja …on Monday, May 21
Speaking at the event, Chairman of SNCPFA and Country Chair, Shell Companies in Nigeria, Mr. Osagie Okunbor, noted that the estate was delivered without any injury. Osagie, who was represented by a Director, SNCPFA, Mr. Guy Janssens, said, “As a pension fund administrator, we are always thinking beyond the present. The new apartments are designed to be efficient in energy consumption and will rank as one of the early green-rated residential accommodations in the Federal Capital Territory. Thus, together with our partner, we are able to meet today’s needs without losing sight of the future.”
In his remarks, Managing Director, SNCPFA, Mr. Akeeb Akinola, described the project as “a product of vision, commitment, hardwork, and collaborations”. He thanked the leadership of the Federal Capital Development Authority and the National Pension Commission (PenCom) for their support in making the project a reality.
Minister of the Environment, Amina J. Mohammed, at the event described partnerships as a thrust of the President Mohammed Buhari administration.
She said: “As I came into the estate, I saw workers everywhere. This tells me that the partnership that has delivered not just the estate but also employment opportunities to Nigerian youths is worthy of commendation and emulation,” the minister said adding that the government was willing to promote and support any such partnership that would drive the government’s efforts at providing jobs and meeting the housing needs of Nigerians.”
Also present at the event were the Minister of State for Environment, Mr. Ibrahim Jibrin; former Minister of State for the FCT, Senator Solomon Ewuga; Chairman, Imani and Sons Limited, Alhaji Bello Abubakar; President, Real Estate Developers Association of Nigeria, Rev. Ugo Chume; and SNCPFA’s External Directors, Mrs. Funke Osibodu and Mallam Balamu Manu.
SNCPFA is licensed by PenCom to manage the Shell Nigeria staff non-contributory pension fund, a Defined Benefit pension scheme established in July 1991.
Eastern Cape police in South Africa are investigating a case of murder following the assassination of a Wild Coast anti-mining committee leader at his home.
Sikhosiphi “Bazooka” Rhadebe
Sikhosiphi “Bazooka” Rhadebe, chairman of the Amadiba Crisis Committee, was shot eight times in the head in Lurholweni on Tuesday night. The committee has been fighting against titanium mining in the area.
Police spokesman, Captain Mlungisi Matidane, said Rhadebe was shot by two unidentified men who fled the scene in a white sedan with blue lights.
“It’s alleged that two men pretending to be police went into Rhadebe’s house and shot him in front of his family. No arrests have been made. Police are gathering information. We are appealing to members of public with any kind of information linked to this case to contact the nearest police,” said Matidane.
Rhadebe’s wife and child were not injured but have been admitted to hospital for shock.
Amadiba Crisis Committee confirmed the incident, adding that it would not be intimidated into submission. It also acknowledged the receipt of over 82 civil society organisation endorsements for the statement condemning the assassination.
“Our beloved Bazooka made the ultimate sacrifice defending our ancestral land of Amadiba on the Wild Coast. After one year of threats and attacks, we have been waiting for something like this to happen.
“The local police refused to cooperate with the Umgungundlovu traditional authority of the coastal Amadiba area to stop the violence against our community, which says no to mining,” read the statement issued on Wednesday.
The statement reads: “We are shocked and outraged to learn of the brutal murder of the chairperson of Amadiba Crisis Committee, Sikhosiphi Bazooka Rhadebe. As chair of the ACC, Bazooka Rhadebe was helping lead the struggle of Amadiba residents on the Wild Coast in opposing open-cast titanium mining by the Australian mining company MRC.
“The hitmen came in a white Polo with a rotating blue lamp on the roof. Two men knocked at the door saying they were the police. Mr Rhadebe was shot with eight bullets in the head. This is not the first case of intimidation or violence against those who have opposed mining in the area. Our hearts go out to Bazooka’s family and community.
“The assassination of Bazooka is a painful reminder that from abaHlali baseMjondolo to the Helen Suzman Foundation, there is an existing pattern of criminal attacks on civil society formations, especially those in townships, informal settlements and rural areas. For years, poor people’s movements in different parts of the country have experienced regular harassment, intimidation, detention and violence against their members. It is worst felt when the media are far away and the victims are poor, black or rural, and when major industries stand to make billions in profit.
“We cannot afford to remain silent in the face of any of these attacks. Every one of them is an attack on democracy itself. We call for the speedy arrest and successful prosecution of the killers of comrade Bazooka. We further call on the Human Rights Commission to investigate the systematic process of intimidation that has been orchestrated against those who have stood up against MRC and its lackeys in the area.
“We demand that the Minister of Mineral Resources suspends all mining applications until there has been a full and independent investigation of Rhadebe’s murder! We demand protection for all members of the Amadiba Crisis Committee and their families! We call on all progressive forces to stand up in defence of democracy. End the attacks on our activists and movements!”
Minister of Environment, Mrs Amina J. Mohammed, hosted the celebration of the 2016 International Day of Forests at the National Parks Headquarters in Abuja on Monday (March 21).
At the event, the minister stressed that forests are key to the planet’s supply of fresh water which is essential to life, even as she lamented the alarming rate of deforestation and forest degradation arising from intensive logging for timber and fuelwood extraction.
The event, which also featured a “Forest Walk”, was attended by Directors and staffers of relevant Agencies, as well as officials of the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF), Food and Agricultural Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), MTN, NGOs, students and members of the press.
The minister planting a tree at the eventThe Minister with the Minister of State, Ibrahim Usman Jibril, inspecting a timber productA Park official making a presentationThe Minister delivering a speechThe ministers and senior government officials pose with studentsThe Minister and her companion in a selfie
As the world marks the 2016 World Water Day (WWD) on Tuesday March 22, the Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria (ERA/FoEN) has urged federal and state governments to put the interest of the people and jobs over profits in the pursuit of providing the citizenry portable water for drinking and other uses.
Public water provision in a rural community in the Federal Capital Territory
The international WWD reminds governments and peoples about the significance of fresh water and sustainability of fresh water resources management. The 2016 commemoration has “Water and Jobs” as its theme. It focuses on how enough quantity and quality of water can change workers’ lives and livelihoods and even transform societies and economies.
In a statement issued in Lagos, ERA/FoEN said the global commemoration should be a wakeup call to the Nigerian government that water is a human right and, in its provision, the livelihoods of people should not be mortgaged to private sector players.
ERA/FoEN Deputy Director, Akinbode Oluwafemi, was quoted in the statement as saying: “As we mark this global event which reminds governments of their responsibility in ensuring citizens have the highest basic standard of life which unhindered access to clean water represents, the sad reality in Nigeria is that the federal and state governments overtly or covertly dodge this duty and would rather go cap-in-hand to the World Bank and other promoters of privatisation whose interests are solely ‘for-profit-only’.”
Oluwafemi explained in the statement that government at all levels should fully uphold the human right to water as an obligation and that, in doing this, the government should integrate broad public participation in developing plans to achieve universal access to clean water.
“Prioritising water for the people will lead to a comprehensive plan that invests in the water infrastructure necessary to provide universal water access, create jobs, improve public health, and invigorate the national economy,” he was quoted as saying.
Citing Lagos as an example of a potentially dangerous experiment in water privatisation, Oluwafemi explained in the statement that was endorsed by the group’s spokesperson, Philip Jakpor: “In this state of nearly 21 million people, the World Bank through its private arm – International Finance Corporation (IFC) – is suggesting a Public Private Partnership (PPP) which will mortgage the future of the citizens of the state. The PPP water failures in Manila and Nagpur mirror what awaits countries that adopt this model.”
The ERA/FoEN director stressed that, while the World Bank and other agencies talk of the challenges of providing water for people like human rights activists do, their path to solving the challenges differ. He added that the solution to the identified challenges rests in keeping public water in public hands and not in the hands of a few who would rather exploit the situation for personal gain.
He listed fallouts of PPPs in the water sector to include rate hikes, poor service quality, and shut-offs to the poor who, according to him, may not be able to pay the cost of water.
Olufemi stated: “These happenings do not guarantee our right to water as espoused by the United Nations in 2010. Like the power sector privatisation in Nigeria, water privatisation will rob our people of their jobs in addition to other unanticipated fallouts. Privatisers in any cloak are only interested in maximising profits to the detriment of workers in the sector. We reject this idea.”
Over the past week, the South-Central region of the U.S. has been experiencing devastating downpours and flooding across multiple states. This historic extreme weather, already responsible for several deaths and affecting thousands more, has poured more than 20 inches of rain in some locations.
Al Gore. Photo credit: Jojo Mamangun/Climate Reality
I just arrived here in the Philippines with The Climate Reality Project to train another 800 climate activists from 60 different nations. And as if to illustrate how interconnected we are in our effort to solve the climate crisis, the scientists tell us that the rapidly warming ocean water surrounding the Philippines is the origin of the “atmospheric river” now carrying massive amounts of moisture to fuel the record downpours flooding the American South.
Even though these islands are located far away from the United States, the mechanism causing these floods funnels water 7,000 miles at high altitudes — across the Pacific Ocean — from the waters surrounding the Philippines to North America by two “atmospheric rivers”. One, called “the Pineapple Express,” is now bringing rain to California, and the other, called “the Mayan Express,” is the one causing the flooding of the South Central U.S.
These atmospheric rivers — now the subject of intensive new scientific research — can carry up to 15 times as much water as the average amount that flows through the mouth of the Mississippi River.
The Mayan Express is being pulled over the state of Texas and from there East by Northeast, funnelling unusual amounts of rain and causing record downpours within a narrow band across the United States.
The climate crisis has changed the backdrop against which all extreme weather events now occur. Warmer air holds more water vapour, which leads to more intense precipitation events. And in the case of atmospheric rivers, climate scientists are now telling us that these events are likely to become more frequent and more destructive, which, in turn, would lead to more extreme weather events such as the terrible flooding we are now witnessing.
By Al Gore (Chairman of Climate Reality, Chairman & Co-founder of Generation Investment Management, former Vice President of the United States)
Minister of Environment, Mrs Amina J. Mohammed, on the occasion of the 2016 International Day of Forests in Abuja on Monday (March 21), stresses that forests are key to the planet’s supply of fresh water which is essential to life. She laments the alarming rate of deforestation and forest degradation arising from intensive logging for timber and fuelwood extraction, even as she listed a range of measures to address the situation
Minister of Environment, Mrs Amina J. Mohammed, in a pensive mood at the National Parks Headquarters in Abuja, on the occasion of the 2016 International Day of Forests, on Monday March 21
Forests play a great role in gathering and releasing water for the maintenance of the habitats of flora and fauna. Forested watersheds and wetlands supply 75% of the world’s accessible freshwater for domestic, agricultural, industrial and ecological needs. Forests reduce the effects of flooding, dry land salinity and desertification. Records show that 1.6 billion people depend on forests for livelihoods, medicine, fuel and food. Forests cover one-third of the earth’s land mass, contributing significantly to reducing soil erosion and the risks of landslides, avalanches and other natural disasters.
Unfortunately, climate change is altering the capability of forests in regulating water availability and quality. Also, large scale deforestation, which on record is 13 million hectares annually, impacts on precipitation pattern and water regulation. Removal of tree cover accelerates water discharge, increasing the risk of floods during the rainy season and drought in the dry season. Deforestation contributes to 12-20 % of the global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The availability and quality of water in many regions of the world are more and more threatened by overuse, misuse and pollution, and it is increasingly recognised that both are strongly influenced by forests. Consequently, nearly 80% of the world’s population is exposed to high levels of threat to water security.
The deplorable condition of our forests in Nigeria is alarming. Across the various states, there is alarming rate of deforestation and forest degradation arising from intensive logging for timber and fuelwood extraction. Many states now see the forests as a main source of revenue generation and yet little or nothing is being ploughed back for forestry development. The activities of timber merchants (both indigenous and foreign), especially those involved in illegal logging, continue to worsen the situation and on a daily basis, hundreds of containers of wood are carted away from our forests across the country. Currently, Nigeria’s percentage forest cover is less than 6% as against the FAO recommended 25% of total land area. This calls for urgent attention.
To address the situation, the Ministry will soon convene an emergency Forest and Biodiversity Dialogue with relevant stakeholders, which will include all State Commissioners of Environment, Directors of Forestry, Customs, Ministry of Finance, relevant NGOs, etc. The forum will seek to review associated challenges of forest governance and legislations across the states and come up with appropriate recommendations for actions at the next National Council on Environment.
There are plans to review of the National Forest Policy and consequently enact the National Forest Law. This is to ensure, among other things, certification of wood and also to ensure that illegal loggers pay adequate and appropriate penalties for infractions. Government will resuscitate the National Forestry Development Committee (NFDC) in order to partner with the states to move the forestry sector forward. Indeed, partnership is key in the preservation and conversation of our forest resources.
The ban on export of round wood (unprocessed logs) is still in force and compliance will be enforced while the Ministry will continue to interact with the Processed Wood Producers and Marketers Association of Nigeria so as to ensure that they comply with the rules and regulations. I am glad to note that some members of the Association are present at this occasion.
In collaboration with the state governments, the Ministry will map out strategies for curbing indiscriminate logging in our forests while a comprehensive national forest and biodiversity assessment will be embarked upon to provide the required data for sustainable forest management in Nigeria.
In an attempt to gradually increase the national forest cover from the deplorable less than 6% to the internationally recommended 25%, the Ministry will continue to collaborate with relevant agencies to embark on nationwide afforestation in the coming years. Thus, from this year, the Ministry is having a collaborative partnership on afforestation with the NYSC. The programme is expected to deliver about one million trees annually through the participation of Youth Corp Members nationwide.
Similarly, government will strengthen the activities of the Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project (NEWMAP), the management of Nigerian wetlands ecosystems and the National Agency for Great Green Wall (NAGGW) to enable them deliver greater and better outcomes.
As a means of reducing pressure on our forests due to fuelwood extraction, the Ministry will partner with relevant agencies of government to work out the modalities for the provision of alternative sources of energy and improved wood stoves for our rural population. Government will intensify environmental education in schools and roll out a new public awareness programme on forest conservation and community participation.
As government continues to play its role, we all need to do our own bit in ensuring that we halt deforestation. I urge you to plant and protect trees in your homestead, farmlands, offices, schools and public institutions and endeavour to preserve and sustainably use forests and wetlands resources in order to ensure steady and safe water supply and other benefits.
I reiterate our commitment to ensuring the protection of our National Parks, especially the Ekuri Forest.
On the occasion of the 2016 World Water Day, WaterAid in Nigeria is calling on government to take action to reach the estimated 57.7 million people in the country who are still without access to clean water
Dr. Michael Ojo, WaterAid Nigeria’s Country Representative
A new study has revealed how the world’s poorest often pay far more of their income for water than those in the developed world.
The study, which examines the most difficult places in the world for people to get clean water, was released by WaterAid Nigeria on Tuesday, March 22 on the occasion of the 2016 World Water Day.
Titled “Water: At What Cost? The State of the World’s Water,” the analysis shows that, in the developed world, a standard water bill is as little as 0.1% of the income of someone earning the minimum wage. However, in many developing countries, people reliant on a tanker truck for their water supply could spend as much as 45% of their daily income on water to get just the recommended daily minimum supply. In some of the world’s poorest countries, families relying on black-market vendors could spend up to 100 times as much on water as those reached by government-subsidised tap stands.
According to WaterAid, some 650 million people in the world still do not have access to clean water and more than 2.3 billion do not have access to basic sanitation, with devastating results. The group adds that some 315,000 children under five die each year of diarrhoeal diseases related to the lack of these basic rights, pointing out that 50% of malnutrition cases are linked to chronic diarrhoea caused by lack of clean water, good sanitation and good hygiene including handwashing with soap.
The briefing, which is WaterAid’s first ever ‘State of the World’s Water’ report, offers a snapshot of access to water around the world in 2016. It also ranks nations based on rates of household access to water and on highest populations without access to water, and includes a list of the countries which have improved most in the last 15 years.
While Nigeria features 17 in the list of the top 20 most improved countries for water access over the past 15 years, the African giant is also one of the worst in the world for household water access and features third in the world on a list of the top 10 countries with the greatest numbers of people living without access to safe water, the group disclosed in a statement, stressing that this highlights how much overall progress can mask the inequality that still exists in much of the developing world “because even though much progress has been made in reaching a huge population of the world with improved sources of drinking water, tens of millions of people are still unserved with their basic human right to safe water, even in countries that have made the most impressive progress.”
The report’s other main findings were listed to include:
India, China and Nigeria have the highest numbers of people waiting for access to clean water
Papua New Guinea, Equatorial Guinea, Angola are the nations in the world with the lowest percentage of households with access to clean water. In Papua New Guinea, an average person living in poverty would spend 54% of their salary to access the World Health Organisation-recommended minimum 50 litres per person per day.
Cambodia, Mali, Laos and Ethiopia have made more progress than any other nations on improving access to water for their populations.
Despite much progress, the report finds that inequalities persist even in nations that have made great strides, with the poorest often paying the highest percentages of their income on water.
There remain 16 countries in the world where 40% or more of their population do not have access to clean water – due to low government prioritisation and dedicated funding, shortages in human resources, competition for water resources and the exacerbating effects of climate change.
Dr. Michael Ojo, WaterAid Nigeria Country Representative, said: “On this World Water Day, it is shocking to realise that a life essential such as water can cost a poor person in the developing world as much as half of their income, for an amount that is about one-third of average daily use in the developed world.
“Clean drinking water is a right yet an estimated 31% of people in Nigeria are still living without access to clean water. Increased competition for water resources and climate change are only exacerbating the crisis, which along with lack of sanitation is responsible for the deaths of more than 68,000 children under five each year in the country.
“On World Water Day, we call upon our government and leaders around the world to take urgent action towards keeping the promises made in the UN Global Goals on Sustainable Development, and ensure everyone is able to realise their right to access to clean water by 2030.”
This year’s global theme for World Water Day ‘Water and Jobs’ highlights how enough quantity and quality of water can change lives and livelihoods – and even transform societies and economies. A lack of access to safe water has numerous impacts on work and productivity in many ways. Almost half of the world’s workers – 1.5 billion people – work in water-related sectors and nearly all jobs depend on water and those that ensure its safe delivery. Yet financing and managing key jobs in the sector is a real struggle that makes it hard for countries to maintain water and sanitation systems, and secure the urgent progress required on Goal 6: universal access to clean and safe water and sanitation by 2030.
Walking, queuing and carrying jerry cans wastes time and hinder productivity for many girls and women. In Sub-Saharan Africa, women spend a combined total of at least 16 million hours each day collecting drinking water. Businesses’ productivity is hit hard by staff absenteeism, turnover and low morale related to lack of access to clean, safe water in workplaces.
Water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) are usually considered beyond the remit of a lot of other sectors – a costly perception which hinders progress in achieving overall developmental goals. The positive impact of interventions in many areas is often undermined by lack of water, sanitation and hygiene interventions.
WASH is an essential component of an integrated approach to tackling poverty, hunger, health and inequality and it is essential that WASH is prioritised. Improved water, sanitation and hygiene for all will make sustainable progress across many of the Global Goals.
On this World Water Day, WaterAid is therefore reminding governments that the promises of the UN Global Goals on Sustainable Development, to eradicate extreme poverty and create a fairer, more sustainable world, includes Goal 6 to reach everyone, everywhere with clean water and access to safe, private toilets by 2030. This promise is achievable but it will take a serious political shift and financing to get there.
The Lagos State Government has said that it will partner with suitable entities on a Public-Private-Partnership (PPP) basis to undertake the development and delivery of a wide-range of facilities in the state.
Mr Steve Ayorinde
The Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Steve Ayorinde, said in a statement in Lagos on Sunday that it was in continuation of the government’s commitment to urban development and expansion of business opportunities.
The statement said that the facilities included residential apartments, shopping and business malls, recreation parks, hotels, theme parks, zoos, car parks and other facilities that would add to modern city lifestyle.
It said the idea was conceived to provide Lagos with world-class residential, business, recreational and other facilities that would measure up to what was obtainable in other mega cities of the world.
The statement disclosed that the facilities include the former Falomo Complex.
“The government is seeking proposals under PPP on how the site can be redeveloped into a world-class residential condominium complex with the full complement of lifestyle-enhancing facilities and complete communities’ direction strategy.
“The site is to be developed as a low density, mixed use residential facility that would include the integration of the multi-use nature of the area.
“Also, under the PPP redevelopment programme, the government has made available lands in various locations across the state on which it intends that malls, hotels and other lifestyle facilities would be established.
“The areas include Epe, Ibeju-Lekki, Badagry, Ikorodu, Ojokoro, Gbagada, Oshodi and Amuwo-Odofin,’’ it quoted Ayorinde as saying.
It added that the government was also interested in having a complete make-over of the CMS Marina axis to bring it up to standard comparable to similar choice locations in the world.
It said that with the planned inauguration of the Blue Line of the Lagos light rail project in December, the government intended to redevelop the entire stretch of the Marina starting from the Apongbon end to the NECOM House end of the Marina.
The statement said that government intended to have multi-level car parks, shops, offices, restaurants, among others all positioned in an integrated design to create a more harmonious experience for shoppers and other visitors to the Marina.
It noted that the area was the prime business location and undisputed hub for commercial activities in the state. It said that for this reason, the government intended to redevelop the stretch in line with its actual value and importance by having a comprehensive development scheme that would have all the state of the art features.
The statement said that government planned to develop the location of the cancelled Paradise Residential Scheme on the Anthony/Oworoshoki/Oshodi Expressway to a recreational and theme park with elements of educational, entertainment and leisure activities.
It said that the same was being considered for areas at the Yaba interchange on the Third Mainland Bridge with integrated water sporting activities on the expansive and serene waters of the Lagos lagoon.
The statement said this was proposed with a commercial scale boat jetty to provide a gateway for water transportation so as to increase the inter-modal transport system in the state.
It said the government was also interested in bringing to the Epe/Ejirin Road abutting the Sala Metal Crushing Plant, a world class leisure park cum lifestyle facilities.
It added that the proposal would include retreat and conferencing facilities which would provide support to the nearby Lekki Free Trade Zone.
“A zoo on about 50 hectares of land is also being considered for the Epe axis to provide the sector at this stage before urban sprawl would make it more difficult to do so in the future.
“These initiatives will help in positioning the state as one of the best cities to live and work in the African continent.”
The University of Ibadan now has an ultra-modern subsurface research centre that will boost the development of top rate manpower for the nation’s oil and gas industry, thanks to a donation by the Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) operated Joint Venture. The centre has 15 fully-networked workstations, a high-end server, complete with internet facilities and a standby 45-Kva generator, among other facilities.
L-R: Exploration Geoscientist, The Shell Petroleum Development Company, Dr. Adelola Adesida; Deputy Registrar, University of Ibadan, Mr Victor Adegoroye; Vice Chancellor, Professor Abel Olayinka; SPDC’s General Manager, External Relations, Mr. Igo Weli; Deputy Vice Chancellor, Prof. Ambrose Aiyelari; and the Dean, Faculty of Science, Prof. Anthony Onilude, at the inauguration of the university’s SPDC JV Subsurface Centre in Ibadan …on Monday, March 14 2016
“The SPDC JV’s intervention to turn around the subsurface centre of the university is a careful choice to support the institution to deliver the next generation of technologies and skills that will help Nigeria to unlock more oil reserves.” said Igo Weli, SPDC’s General Manager, External Relations, at the handover ceremony in Ibadan on March 14. “With all the modern facilities and promise of uninterrupted power supply, the centre has the capacity to showcase the potentials of oil and gas sector while attracting bright minds, and our hope is that students will make the best use of it.”
The Vice Chancellor, University of Ibadan, Professor Abel Olayinka, said: “We appreciate the contributions of the SPDC JV to education, to the geosciences and to University of Ibadan in particular. The facility will help the efforts of the university to recreate itself as a entre of excellence in geosciences training.”
The subsurface centre is expected to usher in new levels of learning at the University of Ibadan and other institutions in southwestern Nigeria. Students and researchers can access real-time information and connect with other learning centres anywhere in the world from their keyboards.
According to SPDC, a dearth of world class research institutions and limited access to technology is a key challenge in enabling Nigerians and Nigerian companies to play a greater role in the oil and gas value chain.
“SPDC JV therefore focuses on building capacity in key technical skills, for example donating equipment to universities to develop capability in the production of drilling mud. In 2012, SPDC established a Centre of Excellence in Geosciences and Petroleum Engineering at the University of Benin, and is completing work on another centre on Marine Hydrodynamic at the Rivers State University of Science and Technology, Nkpolu – Port Harcourt preparatory for commissioning later this year,” the firm disclosed in a statement.
