The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has warned that 362 vulnerable communities in 14 local government areas in Kano State are at high risk of flood.
Flooding in Kano
NEMA’s Director-General, Mrs Zubaida Umar, made this known at a one-day stakeholders meeting in Kano, the state capital, on Thursday, August 15, 2024.
The meeting. which was on Solid Waste Management and Flood Preparedness: Downscaling 2024 Flood Early Warning Strategies for Grassroots Action, was themed: “Enhancing Community Resilience through Effective Solid Waste Management and Proactive Flood Preparedness”.
Umar, who was represented by Dr Nuraddeen Abdullahi, NEMA Territorial Coordinator Kano Office, said the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) AFO has predicted a population of 3,749,200 were at a risk of flood in the state.
She listed the local govt areas to include: Rimin Gado, Tofa, Kabo, Madobi, Garun Malam, Bebeji, Rano, Dawakin Kudu, Warawa, Wudil, Sumaila, Ajingi, Kura and Dala.
Umar said the meeting was also to implement effective early actions that would safeguard lives and livelihoods throughout the rainy season.
“Floods of 2012 and 2022 have highlighted the critical need for coordinated efforts across all levels of government in managing disaster risks.
“Kano State has historically experienced severe impacts from floods, and the current predictions highlight that certain areas will continue to face challenges, especially with improper solid waste disposal in our communities,” she said.
The DG emphasised the need to collaborate to sensitise the public on waste management as well as downscaling flood early warning and risk mitigation at the grassroots levels.
“Improper solid waste disposal affects the environment, human health as well as the economy, due to uncontrolled dumping of large number of wastes, which prevent rainwater from flowing freely leading to overflow and flooding.
Umar noted that NEMA has engaged in extensive planning and analysis, Stakeholders’ Technical Meeting and an Emergency Coordination Forum.
“Disaster management is everyone’s business. By coming together, we can protect our communities, preserve critical infrastructure, and maintain socio-economic stability in Kano State.
“This aligns with the Federal Government’s renewed focus on socio-economic growth and development under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu,” Umar said.
The Kano state Commissioner for Humanitarian and Poverty Alleviation, Hajiya Amina Abdullahi, reiterated Gov.Abba Kabir-Yusuf’s commitment to protect the people against disasters and emergencies.
Abdullahi, represented by the Ministry’s Director, Disaster Management and Rapid Response, Mr Mustafa Yunusa, commended the organisers of the workshop.
The Managing Director of the Kano State Refuse Management and Sanitation Board, Alhaji Amadu Haruna-Zago, urged residents to desist from dumping refuse on the road and water ways.
Also, the Executive Secretary of the Kano State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Alhaji Isyaku Abudullahi-Kubarachi, commended NEMA and other stakeholders for their efforts in sensitising the public on disaster issues.
The workshop was organised by NEMA in collaboration with SEMA, and the Kano State Ministry of Environment and Climate Change.
Germany’s ADV airport association has called for a decisive response after disruptive protests by the Last Generation climate activism group at several airports on Thursday, August 15, 2024.
Airport runway was breached during a recent campaign
ADV Managing Director, Ralph Beisel, had described the protests that caused delays at airports as a concerted act of criminal extortion.
Beisel called the protests “crimes’’ that must be “consistently sanctioned’’ by the judiciary.
He demanded that an approved cabinet decision be immediately passed by the Bundestag, or parliament, to tighten the Aviation Security Act.
The step would allow for tougher penalties to prevent climate activists and others from carrying out dangerous protests at airports.
Last week, the ADV made a proposal to the climate activists for a dialogue.
In an open letter the group acknowledged climate change as one of the greatest challenges of modern times.
The association said it wanted to inform climate activists, in a conversation, about the latest climate policy and measures airports are taking.
It also wants to discuss with them the impact of runway blockades on airport safety.
In a post on X, Last Generation said it would gladly accept the offer for dialogue.
Stakeholders in the energy sector have called for more commitment from government and players across the energy value chain to drive energy security.
Minister of State Petroleum Resources (Gas), Mr Ekperikpe Ekpo
They gave the advice at the 2024 Nigerian-British Chamber of Commerce (NBCC) energy group event on Thursday, August 15, 2024, in Lagos.
The theme of the event was: “Securing Nigeria’s Energy Future: The Way Forward.”
They said that this would help to reshape the industrial sector and create a vibrant energy future for the country.
Mrs Olu Verheijen, Special Adviser, Energy, to President Bola Tinubu, reiterated the need to find solutions to the country’s energy insecurity, particularly with Nigeria as a top 10 gas reserve holder.
She said that in evaluating the country’s performance over a decade, 76 per cent of Nigeria’s gas reserve was undeveloped.
She noted that the Tinubu administration had taken steps via the presidential directives to make the country’s energy environment more attractive for investments.
According to her, government is ready to improve regulatory certainty to make Nigeria a top three destination for investments in oil and gas.
“There have been presidential directives to clarify the role of regulators to attract investment in upstream and midstream sectors and to focus on fiscal incentives to drive energy transition to gas among others.
“We have issued fiscal incentives and have attracted over $500 million and have started paying our gas debts.
“The President also launched an initiative to bridge the metering gap, we have grown our grid capacity by having a commercially viable value chain and designed targeted subsidies to protect the poor.
“In seeking energy abundance for Nigerians, we are committed to working with stakeholders to deliver prosperity to Nigerians,” she said.
Mr Ray Atelly, President, NBCC, noted that in a world where energy shaped the very foundation of societies, a focus on energy had taken the centre stage like never before.
Atelly stated that the event’s theme resonated deeply with the current need of Nigeria given that the country’s energy sector was characterised by a substantial gap between demand and supply.
According to him, the global shift towards sustainability underscores the urgency for Nigeria to diversify its energy sources, particularly towards renewables like solar, wind, and hydropower.
“As we confront environmental challenges and endeavour to meet the energy needs of a growing population, this transition opens up a world of possibilities.
“Our discussions throughout the day will delve into maximising oil and gas resources, renewable energy adoption strategy, energy access – affordability and availability, and stakeholder role and engagement,” he said.
Mr Nnamdi Anowi, General Manager, Production, Nigerian LNG (NLNG), said it was essential for Nigeria to align strategies with both current realities and future aspirations in a rapidly evolving global energy landscape.
Anowi noted that the country’s journey towards energy security was faced with numerous challenges ranging from infrastructure constraints to the need for technological innovation and regulatory support.
He stated that these challenges also presented opportunities to forge stronger collaborations, adopt groundbreaking solutions, and champion policies that would fortify the energy sector.
“At Nigeria LNG Ltd., we recognise that energy is not just a commodity but a critical driver of economic growth and national development.
“We must design the future of energy for Nigeria, ensuring that it is secure, accessible, and modern in a world that is transitioning to cleaner energy.
“We must embark on this journey to grow our energy for the future sustainably and responsibly, while at the same time maintaining energy security.
“We cannot achieve this desire without requisite commitments from the government through policy and legislation to guide the framework and guarantee investments.
“Government at all levels must play their part towards securing energy for our future,” he said.
Mr Raph Gbobo, Managing Director, Shell Nigeria Gas, noted that in energy transition, gas was the fastest growing fossil fuel with a very broad industrial application.
Gbobo said measures to drive energy security in the immediate term included enforcing discipline and transparency in the gas transportation network operation and implementing gas balancing.
He stressed the need to enforce contractual terms across the gas value chain, implement network code, and eliminate gas to power debts.
He said in the medium term, the energy sector must transition to cost reflective pricing, install and maintain the right meters, upgrade of existing transportation infrastructure, promote willing-buyer/willing-seller marketplace.
“It is critical to complete ongoing gas pipelines and network interconnectivity and set globally competitive fiscals for gas.
“In the long term, the Federal Government should support investment in gas infrastructure and offer fiscal incentives to incentivise distribution infrastructure investments,” he said.
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has highlighted public health challenges, including Mpox resurgence, cholera outbreak, and the rising threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
Director-General of NCDC, Dr Jide Idris
Dr Jide Idris, Director-General of the NCDC, disclosed this to newsmen on Thursday, August 15, 2024, in Abuja.
According to Idris, the diseases do not only pose significant health risks but also underscore the need for coordinated national and regional responses.
He said that mpox, declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) by the WHO and Africa CDC, has seen a disturbing rise in cases across Africa in 2024.
“There are 2,863 confirmed cases and 517 deaths of mpox reported across 13 countries.
“In Nigeria, 39 confirmed cases have been recorded, predominantly in Bayelsa, Cross River, Ogun and Lagos states.
“The NCDC is ramping up surveillance and public awareness campaigns to curb the spread of this zoonotic disease,” he said.
He said that cholera outbreak had been a persistent challenge, adding that the NCDC reported a significant cholera outbreak with 5,951 suspected cases and 176 deaths as of Aug. 11.
“The ongoing rains and poor sanitation practices are exacerbating the situation.
“The NCDC’s response includes deploying rapid response teams, enhancing laboratory testing, and conducting community engagement in high-risk areas,” he said.
Idris said that AMR continued to be a critical concern, with Nigeria, contributing to over 64,500 deaths annually due to related complications.
He said that the NCDC was spearheading efforts to combat this threat through public education, improving antibiotic stewardship, and strengthening surveillance across human, animal, and environmental sectors.
He said that as Nigeria entered the peak seasons for diseases like Lassa fever, yellow fever, and cerebrospinal meningitis, the NCDC was implementing measures to enhance preparedness.
“These include deploying medical countermeasures, conducting refresher training for rapid response teams, and engaging communities through targeted communication strategies,” he said.
He said that the agency’s comprehensive approach to tackling these public health challenges reflected the urgency and scale of the threats facing Nigeria.
“However, sustained efforts and collaboration across all sectors of society will be crucial in mitigating the impact of these diseases and safeguarding public health,” the director-general said.
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) in collaboration with the Lagos State Emergency Management agency (LASEMA) on Thursday, August 15, 2024, held a workshop on flood response mechanism through proper waste management.
Zubaida Umar, Director General, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA)
The workshop had the theme: “Harnessing Proper Waste Management and Flood Response Mechanism.”
The Director-General of NEMA, Mrs Zubaida Umar, in her remarks, said Lagos State had experienced a series of floods and health challenges as a result of improper waste management.
Umar stressed the need for proper waste and flood preparedness for the well-being of communities and the environment.
She, however, decried the increasing challenges faced by improper waste disposal and the impact of flood on communities in the state.
“It is crucial to educate the public about the importance of responsible waste management practices and the preparedness for potential flooding,” she said.
Umar noted that improper waste disposal had triggered flood disaster and adverse health consequences in the past.
This, she said, led to damages of properties worth several millions of naira and several loss of lives.
“This could have been mitigated if we all stand up to challenge and come up with measures that will help continue to enlighten the people of Lagos State on proper waste management practices,” Umar said.
She said indiscriminate dumping of refuse could be reduced by minimising waste generation at source through sustainable practices and consumer education such as reuse, recycle and safe disposal of refuse.
“Let us remind us that what we do to the environment is what the environment does to us in return.
“It is, therefore, necessary to imbibe the culture and practice of proper waste management, ensure that the environment is kept clean at all times.
“This will avert the occurrence of flood disaster as the drainages will allow free flow of water.
“This challenge calls for concerted efforts on Disaster Risk Reduction and enhanced collaboration between emergency response providers at community, local, state and federal levels,” she said.
Umar urged all stakeholders to carry out activities that would safeguard the environment by ensuring proper clearing of drainages and indiscriminate dumping of refuse.
Earlier, the Permanent Secretary, LASEMA, Dr Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, said the organisation had responsibility for the development of loss prevention programmes and policies.
Oke-Osanyintolu said that the agency carries out its functions through the deployment of technology to mitigate against identified natural or manmade emergencies in the state.
According to him, LASEMA as the coordinating emergency body in the state, formulates policies in relation to facilities and prepares master plans to respond promptly to emergencies.
He said that LASEMA had the onerous task of driving Africa’s most populous state from emergency response into the 21st century with disaster risk reduction.
“The agency as part of its pre-flood preparations, has established monitoring stations to detect rising water levels and issue timely warnings as part of its early warning systems.
“Part of which is the Emergency Preparedness and Response Plans, while raising awareness about flood risks, evacuation routes and safety measures through incessant public education.
“As part of preparedness, evacuation and safe relocation of victims from high-risk areas to designated shelter are a major part of the plan,” Oke-Osanyintolu said.
He added that the agency had deployed trained search and rescue teams to assist stranded individuals with medical response teams to provide emergency care and first aid at IDP camps located at Agbowa and Igando.
He noted that the IDP camps are in constant states of readiness to receive all affected victims with provision of adequate supply of essential necessities.
“It is believed that this gathering will provide the needed flood response mechanism to enable communities minimise the impact of flooding,” he said.
The workshop drew different stakeholders across the state to deliberate on flood control through effective waste management.
Similarly, NEMA on Thursday, sensitised Benue stakeholders to proper waste management to mitigate impact of flood in the state.
Its Zonal Coordinator, Mr Eugene Nyelong, while declaring the workshop open in Makurdi, said it was aimed at addressing critical issues surrounding waste management.
Nyelong said the workshop was to educate relevant stakeholders on proper waste management to mitigate impact of flooding in the state.
He said flood had become an annual routine in some states of the country and that indiscreminent dumping of waste was one of the major factors behind it.
The cordinator explained that when waste is not properly disposed, it blocks water drainages, thereby causing flooding in areas that were not naturally flood prone.
“One of the important ways of flood mitigation is proper waste management, which the workshop is aimed at addressing.
“The production of waste is increasing at an alarming rate. This does not only pose environmental risk but also economic and social challenges through its negative impact.
“Waste management is an issue that touches every aspect of our lives, from the waste we produce at home to the industrial waste generated.
“How we handle this waste has significant implication on our health, our communities and our planet at large.”
According to him, improper waste management can lead to pollution, health hazards and depletion of natural resources.
“Effective waste management actions, ranging from waste reduction, re-use, and re-cycling, conserve resources, protect public health and prevent further degradation of the eco-system,” he said.
The cordinator said waste management was not just a technical issue but a societal one that required collective efforts from individuals, government and organisations.
He urged participants to be mindful of the actions they would be taking henceforth, in management of waste as they would have a lasting impact on future generations.
“Let us commit to being part of the solution, to innovating, educating and working together toward a cleaner, healthier, and more suitable environment, the said.
The General Manager, Benue Urban Development Board, Mr Terhemen Mende, said the board was working towards having Makurdi Drainage Master Plan to permanently address frequent flooding in the state capital.
Mende said houses built on waterways would be demolished, adding that the state government would provide all machineries for the exercise.
Also, the Acting Manager, Benue State Environmental Sanitation Authority (BENSSSEA) Mrs Jennifer Nashima, said the agency has adequately sensitised the people on proper waste management.
Nashima said those, who failed to do the right thing would be sanctioned.
NEMA before the workshop, carried out sensitisations to markets and other major places within the state capital.
Lagos State emerged the top ranked state in Nigeria with 182 points at the just concluded first-ever climate governance performance ranking of Nigeria’s subnational. This was revealed during the launch of the report which was championed by the Society for Planet and Prosperity (SPP) in close collaboration with the Department of Climate Change (DCC) of the Federal Ministry of Environment, in Abuja on July 25, 2024.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State
The announcement of the Climate Governance Performance Rating and Ranking (CGPRR) of Nigeria’s 36 States 2024 result was jointly made by the Minister of Environment, Mallam Balarabe Lawal, the Minister of State for the Environment, Dr Iziak Salako, and the President of the Society for Planet and Prosperity, Professor Chukwumerije Okereke, at the official launch event.
Lagos State was the only state rated as “outstanding” among the 36 states of Nigeria, reflecting their feat in exceptional performance in the five criteria used for the ranking, namely Climate Institutions and Governance, Climate Policy and Action Plan, Climate Implementation of Project and Online Visibility.
Lagos was one point short of Gombe State in the overall score and ranking for institutional arrangement and administrative structure among the 36 states. It shared the top position with five other states in the total score and ranking for having in place climate change policy and action plans which set emission reduction targets that contribute to the national efforts reflecting key commitments of the state to global climate ambition.
Lagos State emerged the top in the thematic rating for climate change projects’ implementation and having in place a system for effective monitoring, evaluation and reporting (MER) of climate impact and/or actions ahead of other states. Lagos also went ahead to share the top spot with eight other states on online visibility regarding climate change activities, having functional websites (or links on the state official website) for the Ministry of Environment/Climate Change and with several pages showing dynamic web activities.
In terms of budgetary allocation for climate action, Lagos shared second position with 19 other states behind Gombe among the states that considered climate change in their respective 2024 annual budgets with proper tagging of climate change projects.
There is no doubt that Lagos State plays a pivotal role in the Nigerian economy as the nations’ commercial hub with record of almost 30% of Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Despite this status, Lagos has continued to grapple with serious climate change-related challenges. Over the years, the state has recognised that climate action is not only an environmental necessity but also an economic imperative pushing the state government for greater climate action.
Dubbed the Centre of Excellence, Lagos demonstrates inspiring climate action which prioritises zero-carbon development goals in several sectors including transport, agriculture, energy, and waste management. In its continued drive for greater ambition, the state has engaged with international organisations and frameworks, such as the C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group, which supports cities in developing and implementing climate strategies, all of which may have contributed to the states outstanding performance.
In his signed statement via X (formerly twitter), the Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Lagos State, Tokunbo Wahab, wrote: “I am delighted to announce that Lagos State came 1st amongst the 36 States and FCT in Climate Governance Performance ranking conducted by the Federal Ministry of Environment and Society for Planet & Prosperity.
“This great feat is as a result of the Lagos State government’s deliberate commitment and unwavering dedication to environmental sustainability and its proactive approach to addressing climate change challenges.”
While acknowledging the Lagos State Governor in his post, the Commissioner wrote: “Under the visionary leadership of His Excellency, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the Lagos State Government has prioritised climate action as a cornerstone of its development agenda. Through strategic planning, robust policies, and innovative initiatives, we have made significant strides in mitigating the impacts of climate change while fostering a sustainable future for our residents.
“This prestigious recognition is a validation of our relentless efforts to create a cleaner, greener, and more resilient Lagos,” he concluded.
The report, which recognises and recommends that there are still loads of work to be done across all the 36 states, acknowledges that Lagos has taken a quantum leap ahead of others in effective climate governance and action.
The complete report is available via the link: https://sppnigeria.org/subnational-climate-governance-performance-ranking-report/
Shelter Afrique Development Bank (ShafDB), a Pan-African institution committed to financing and advancing housing, urban, and related infrastructure development, has signed a Memorandum of Understating (MoU) with CPF Group, aimed at scaling up the development of large-scale affordable housing projects in Kenya.
Shelter Afrique Development Bank (ShafDB) Head of Credit and Operations, Mr. Christopher Chege (second left), and CPF Group Managing Director, Dr. Hosea Kili (second right), exchange documents after signing a Memorandum of Understanding to scale up the development of large-scale affordable housing projects in Kenya. With them are ShafDB Chief Business Officer Mr. Gibson Mapfidza (l), and CPF Group Executive Advisor Mr. Geoffrey Odundo (r). The agreement seeks to provide a platform for intervention across the affordable housing value chain
The agreement, which is expected to boost Shelter Afrique Development Bank’s mandate of providing decent and affordable housing in Africa, was signed in Nairobi by CPF Group Managing Director, Dr. Hosea Kili, and Shelter Afrique Development Bank Head of Credit and Operations, Mr. Christopher Chege, on behalf of the Managing Director, Mr. Thierno-Habib Hann.
“As a company, our overriding strategy is the provision of affordable housing across our member States through public-private partnerships. This strategic partnership with CPF Group will be key in expanding our projects in Kenya,” Mr. Chege said.
The agreement seeks to provide a platform for intervention across the affordable housing value chain by creating a partnership in affordable housing delivery through co-financing.
It also seeks to establish a Housing Solutions Fund for Kenya, which will make interventions on the supply and demand side of the affordable housing value chain. Both ShafDB and CPF Group will jointly design and manage the Fund – including offering capital raising and technical support to the management of the Fund.
“We are excited to partner with Shelter Afrique Development and leverage on each institution’s strength as we jointly address the perennial problem of decent and affordable housing in Kenya. This partnership opens up opportunities for collaboration in many areas including product & services design and finding innovative funding solutions for our current and future projects,” Dr. Kili said.
Growing deficit
Kenya has a total housing deficit of 2 million housing units and this numbers could rise due to high rates of population growth and high urbanisation rate at 4.4%, well above the global average of 2.1%.
Out of Kenya’s total population of 50.6 million, 29% reside in urban areas. In order to resolve the housing conundrum, the Kenyan government has put in place a global framework through the Bottom-up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA) to deliver 250,000 housing units per year against the current 50,000 annual deliveries.
“It is against this background that Shelter Afrique Development Bank and the CPF Group are joining forces through the Collaboration Agreement to scale up affordable housing delivery. We believe our partnership with CPF Group will deepen our impact on Kenya’s and by extension, Africa’s affordable housing value chain, from both the supply and demand side,” Mr. Chege concluded.
For the first time in its history, Baku, the capital city of Azerbaijan, is set to host a groundbreaking event – the Climate Action Week.
Baku in Azerbaijan hosts COP29 in November 2024
According to Report, which cites the press service of the COP29 Azerbaijan Operating Company, this significant initiative is spearheaded by the United Nations High-Level Champion for Climate, Nigar Arpadarai.
The Climate Action Week is scheduled from September 30 to October 4, 2024.
The main themes of the event will include “Energy Transition”, “Cities/Urbanised Environment”, “Water Security”, “Food and Agriculture”, “Small and Medium Enterprises”, and “Green Skills”.
Representatives from government institutions, academic circles, and the private sector will participate in the event. Additionally, artistic and cultural activities will be organised.
WHO Director-General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, has determined that the upsurge of mpox in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and a growing number of countries in Africa constitutes a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC) under the International Health Regulations (2005) (IHR).
Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General, World Health Organisation (WHO)
Dr Tedros’s declaration came on Wednesday, August 14, 2024, on the advice of an IHR Emergency Committee of independent experts who met earlier in the day to review data presented by experts from WHO and affected countries. The Committee informed the Director-General that it considers the upsurge of mpox to be a PHEIC, with potential to spread further across countries in Africa and possibly outside the continent.
The Director-General will share the report of the Committee’s meeting and, based on the advice of the Committee, issue temporary recommendations to countries.
In declaring the PHEIC, Dr Tedros said: “The emergence of a new clade of mpox, its rapid spread in eastern DRC, and the reporting of cases in several neighbouring countries are very worrying. On top of outbreaks of other mpox clades in DRC and other countries in Africa, it’s clear that a coordinated international response is needed to stop these outbreaks and save lives.”
WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr Matshidiso Moeti, said: “Significant efforts are already underway in close collaboration with communities and governments, with our country teams working on the frontlines to help reinforce measures to curb mpox. With the growing spread of the virus, we’re scaling up further through coordinated international action to support countries bring the outbreaks to an end.”
Committee Chair, Professor Dimie Ogoina, said: “The current upsurge of mpox in parts of Africa, along with the spread of a new sexually transmissible strain of the monkeypox virus, is an emergency, not only for Africa, but for the entire globe. Mpox, originating in Africa, was neglected there, and later caused a global outbreak in 2022. It is time to act decisively to prevent history from repeating itself.”
This PHEIC determination is the second in two years relating to mpox. Caused by an Orthopoxvirus, mpox was first detected in humans in 1970, in the DRC. The disease is considered endemic to countries in central and west Africa.
In July 2022, the multi-country outbreak of mpox was declared a PHEIC as it spread rapidly via sexual contact across a range of countries where the virus had not been seen before. That PHEIC was declared over in May 2023 after there had been a sustained decline in global cases.
Mpox has been reported in the DRC for more than a decade, and the number of cases reported each year has increased steadily over that period. Last year, reported cases increased significantly, and already the number of cases reported so far this year has exceeded last year’s total, with more than 15,600 cases and 537 deaths.
The emergence last year and rapid spread of a new virus strain in DRC, clade 1b, which appears to be spreading mainly through sexual networks, and its detection in countries neighbouring the DRC is especially concerning, and one of the main reasons for the declaration of the PHEIC.
In the past month, over 100 laboratory-confirmed cases of clade 1b have been reported in four countries neighbouring the DRC that have not reported mpox before: Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda. Experts believe the true number of cases to be higher as a large proportion of clinically compatible cases have not been tested.
Several outbreaks of different clades of mpox have occurred in different countries, with different modes of transmission and different levels of risk.
The two vaccines currently in use for mpox are recommended by WHO’s Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunisation, and are also approved by WHO-listed national regulatory authorities, as well as by individual countries including Nigeria and the DRC.
Last week, the Director-General triggered the process for Emergency Use Listing for mpox vaccines, which will accelerate vaccine access for lower-income countries which have not yet issued their own national regulatory approval. Emergency Use Listing also enables partners including Gavi and UNICEF to procure vaccines for distribution.
WHO is working with countries and vaccine manufacturers on potential vaccine donations and coordinating with partners through the interim Medical Countermeasures Network to facilitate equitable access to vaccines, therapeutics, diagnostics and other tools.
WHO anticipates an immediate funding requirement of an initial $15 million to support surveillance, preparedness and response activities. A needs assessment is being undertaken across the three levels of the Organisation.
To allow for an immediate scale up, WHO has released $1.45 million from the WHO Contingency Fund for Emergencies and may need to release more in the coming days. The Organisation appeals to donors to fund the full extent of needs of the mpox response.
The Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria (SPDC) has said that the reported oil spill from its facility in Imiringi community in Bayelsa State was caused by oil thieves.
An oil leakage site
The company said that it carried out a Joint Investigative Visit (JIV) into the July 27 oil spill.
The JIV, is a statutory probe that follows every reported spill incident by regulators, operators, and community representatives to ascertain the cause, volume of spill and impacted area.
Mr Bamidele Odugbesan, Media Relations Manager of SPDC, in a statement on Wednesday, August 14, 2024, in Yenagoa, the state capital, said that three barrels of SPDC’s Bonny light crude blend were spilled into the environment.
Although members of the Imiringi community had claimed that the spill had polluted farmlands and water bodies in the area, SPDC said the entire three barrels had been recovered, leaving a residue.
“SPDC, operator of the SPDC JV, acknowledges the occurrence of an oil spill from its Kolo creek Well 22T flowline facility at Imiringi on July 27.
“The report of the joint investigation of the incident led by the Government Regulator, National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA), found that the incident was caused by illegal third-party activity.
“Meanwhile, cleanup, remediation and repair of the breached pipeline are ongoing,” the SPDC said.
The JIV ended on July 30, with all parties unanimously agreeing on the cause while repairs on the breached pipeline are ongoing.
According to SPDC, the JIV team comprised of the Government Regulator, Nigerian Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA), the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), the State Ministry of Environment, representatives of the impacted community and SPDC.
The oil firm stated that the outcome and report of the investigation, led by the Regulator, NOSDRA, was signed off by all members of the JIV team.
It will be recalled that environmental advocacy group, Environmental Defenders Network, had called for cleanup of the spill site to forestall possible spread to other communities in the area.
Chief Alagoa Morris, Deputy Director of the group who visited the spill site, urged the relevant authorities to see to the remediation of the impacted area in view of the rains.
Morris, who called on all stakeholders to work towards preventing third party spills, condemned the act and urged that the perpetrators be fished out and prosecuted.
