On Tuesday, October 8, 2024, activists from a broad coalition of community-based organisations, civil society organisations, trade unions, and environmental and social justice groups gathered in Sandton, Johannesburg, to protest against the African Energy Chamber (AEC) and its African Energy Week (AEW) conference.
A protester
The demonstrators marched from Sandton Central Park to the AEC offices, expressing their concerns about fossil fuel exploitation across Africa that leaves frontline communities with polluted environment and much poorer while the transnational corporations laugh to the bank.
Protesters highlighted the AEC’s role in promoting fossil fuel projects like EACOP, which they argue displaces communities and devastates ecosystems in Uganda and Tanzania while providing limited socio-economic benefits for ordinary people. The demonstrators emphasised the need for a just transition to renewable energy that prioritises the interests of African communities and ecosystems.
At the African Energy Chamber office, the protestors presented an open letter endorsed by over 250 African civil society organisations, community-based organisations, social and environmental justice groups, faith-based organisations, and trade unions.
The letter outlined the following key demands:
The immediate cancellation of African Energy Week.
African governments must boycott African Energy Week and cut ties with the African Energy Chamber.
African leaders must reject fossil fuel expansion on the continent and aggressively pursue a just, people-centred transition to renewable energy.
Multinational corporations must pay reparations for environmental and social destruction caused by fossil fuel extraction across the continent.
The protest aimed to draw attention to the long-term environmental and economic consequences of continued fossil fuel investment in Africa, emphasising the potential for renewable energy to drive sustainable development across the continent.
Mametlwe Sebei, President of the General Industries Workers Union of South Africa (GIWUSA), said: “Africa Energy Week represents the united power of big corporate fossil fuel monopolies, to which we must counterpose working class unity, and power. Ultimately only a revolutionary transition would be a just transition which, through working class power will ensure and guarantee a transition to clean renewable energy to meet all our energy needs and on the basis of decent paying jobs.”
Zaki Mamdoo, StopEACOP Campaign Coordinator, said: “We have marched through Africa’s richest square mile, in defiance of the many corporate criminals who call it home, to reject the unholy alliance between finance capital, African governments and the fossil fuel industry. We see the pro-war, pro-fossil fuels and pro-exploitation operations of Ivor Itchikowitz’s Paramount Group; we see the unapologetic violence, destruction and war mongering of American imperialism; the suffocating pollution and devastation caused by Sasol; and the corrupt bolstering of it all by the sinister African Energy Chamber fossil fuel lobby group and its fraudster chairman, NJ Auyk.
“We reject them all and demand that our leaders cut ties with the African Energy Chamber and boycott events where elites plot our demise for their enrichment. African leaders must engage in a process of deep and meaningful consultation with communities, civil society and ordinary people to pursue a developmental path that serves our collective interests for jobs, housing, education, healthcare, adequate nutrition and climate stability.”
The Body mandated by the Paris Agreement to set up a new UN carbon market has agreed mandatory environmental and human rights safeguards early into a five-day meeting in Baku.
Maria AlJishi, Chair of the Supervisory Body
These protections will require those participating in the UN’s Paris Agreement Crediting Mechanism to identify, evaluate, avoid, minimise and mitigate potential risks associated with projects.
The new rules mean environmental and social rights will be protected through a mandatory tool – known as the Sustainable Development Tool – that assesses and monitors project impacts throughout their lifespan.
This move by the Article 6.4 Supervisory Bodycompletes work on a historic set of safeguards and procedures, while earlier this year, they agreed on a procedure that further safeguards human rights by allowing people affected by UN carbon market projects to appeal decisions or file complaints.
“These new mandatory safeguards are a significant step towards ensuring that the UN carbon market we are building contributes to sustainable development without harming people or the environment,” said Maria Al Jishi, Chair of the Supervisory Body responsible for implementing the Paris Agreement Crediting Mechanism. “These safeguards will not remain static – we aim to continue to iterate and strengthen them over time.”
“This work underlines our commitment to environmental and human rights protections in the mechanism, and it’s doubly significant because it’s the first compulsory standard for a UN carbon market, agreed at the UN level,” said Martin Hession, Vice-Chair of the Supervisory Body.
In the coming days, the Supervisory Body is also aiming to finalise two other key documents required for the full operationalisation of the mechanism related to methodological requirements and activities involving removals.
Next steps
The Article 6.4 Supervisory Body has concluded discussions on the Sustainable Development Tool and aims to formally adopt it at the end of their meeting in Baku on Wednesday, October 9, 2024.
The Body will review and update the tool every 18 months, continuously improving it based on feedback from stakeholders and building on safeguards over time.
Further information
The Paris Agreement Crediting Mechanism (also known as Article 6.4) is a carbon crediting mechanism established under the Paris Agreement. It allows countries to raise climate ambition and implement national action plans more affordably. It identifies and encourages opportunities for verifiable emission reductions, attracts funding to implement them, and allows cooperation among countries and other groups to conduct and benefit from these activities.
The Paris Agreement Crediting Mechanism has a Supervisory Body tasked with developing and supervising the requirements and processes needed to operationalise it. This includes developing and/or approving methodologies, registering activities, accrediting third-party verification bodies, and managing the Article 6.4 Registry.
Over the past few weeks, you’ve probably heard somewhere that Earth was going to get a second moon. Well, we can now confirm that Earth now officially has two moons after capturing asteroid 2024 PT5.
The Earth with two moons
On Sunday, September 29, 2024, our planet captured the tiny asteroid named 2024 PT5, turning it into a temporary mini-moon.
This intriguing event was first spotted by astronomers at the Complutense University of Madrid. Richard Binzel, an astronomer at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), shared some insights about these celestial visitors.
“These happen with some frequency, but we rarely see them because they’re very small and very hard to detect,” Binzel said. “Only recently has our survey capability reached the point of spotting them routinely.”
Using a powerful telescope located in Sutherland, South Africa, the team from Complutense University detected the small space rock back in August.
What are mini-moons?
What exactly are mini-moons, and how often do they visit us?
Mini-moons like 2024 PT5 are small asteroids that Earth’s gravity grabs for a bit, letting them orbit our planet before they move on.
These little guys usually travel around the sun like other asteroids, but when they get close enough to Earth, our gravitational pull can pull them into a temporary orbit.
They don’t stick around for long — they might hang out for a few weeks or months before breaking free and continuing their journey around the sun.
Scientists find mini-moons really interesting because they give us a chance to study near-Earth objects up close and learn more about how our solar system works.
Journey of 2024 PT5
According to data from NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory Horizons systems, this mini-moon stay will be brief.
The temporary capture started at 3:54 p.m. EDT on September 29, 2024, and will end at 11:43 a.m. EDT on November 25, 2024.
So, where did this little visitor come from?
2024 PT5 is part of the Arjuna asteroid belt — a group of space rocks that follow orbits similar to Earth’s, about 93 million miles from the sun.
Some Arjuna asteroid belt objects can approach Earth at a close range of around 2.8 million miles and at a relatively low velocity of less than 2,200 miles per hour.
“Asteroid 2024 PT5 will not describe a full orbit around Earth. You may say that if a true satellite is like a customer buying goods inside a store, objects like 2024 PT5 are window shoppers,” Carlos de la Fuente Marcos, a professor and mini-moon expert from the Complutense University, explained to Space.com.
Though it might sound extraordinary for Earth to gain a second moon, these gravitational captures are more common than you might think.
Scientists have officially documented two prior “short captures,” which last about a week and are estimated to occur several times per decade. There have also been two rarer “long-capture” events.
After its brief visit, 2024 PT5 will continue its journey around the sun as part of the Arjuna family of asteroids.
It won’t stick around for billions of years like our primary moon, but its fleeting presence is a reminder of the dynamic nature of our cosmic neighborhood.
Not currently visible
Now you might be wondering if you can spot this mini-moon in the night sky. Unfortunately, it’s too small and dim for most of us.
The object is too small and dim for typical amateur telescopes and binoculars. However, the object is well within the brightness range of typical telescopes used by professional astronomers.
A telescope with a diameter of at least 30 inches plus a CCD or CMOS detector is needed to observe this object; a 30-inch telescope and a human eye behind it will not be enough.
Comparing 2024 PT5 to our moon
To put its size into perspective, our moon is about 2,159 miles in diameter. In contrast, 2024 PT5 is believed to be just 37 feet wide. That makes our moon over 300,000 times wider than this tiny asteroid!
What happens next?
As 2024 PT5 continues its journey, we’ll keep our eyes — and telescopes — on the skies. After all, who knows when the next mini-moon might drop by?
Perhaps future technology will allow us to study these fleeting visitors more closely. Maybe one day, we’ll even send missions to them to gather samples or test new spacecraft.
So, for a few weeks, Earth will have a tiny companion circling around it. While it’s here, let’s appreciate the wonders of our ever-changing universe and the surprises it brings our way.
On the second annual commemoration of World Migratory Bird Day 2024 on Saturday, October 12, the international campaign, organised by a network of global partners, has called for urgent and sustained action to protect both migratory birds and the insects they depend on for survival.
Migratory birds
This year’s theme, “Protect Insects, Protect Birds,” emphasises the critical role insects play in the lifecycle of many migratory birds and draws attention to the alarming global decline in insect populations.
The Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) – a biodiversity treaty of the United Nations and one of the main partners behind the World Migratory Bird Day campaign – prepared the first study of its kind on insect decline and its relevance for migratory species, which it presented at its Fourteenth Session of the Conference of the Parties (COP14) in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.
Insects are essential to the survival of not just migratory birds worldwide, but also bats and fish. Their decline could also have indirect effects by altering ecosystem functions and the habitats therein – such as changing vegetation, which in turn may provide less cover for ground-breeding species or supply less insect-pollinated fruits for frugivorous (fruit-eating) birds.
“Despite variations in magnitude across ecosystems and regions, scientific evidence revealed that without doubt, we face an insect decline on a global scale. This can be measured for example as the losses in total insect biomass or species richness over time,” said Dr David Ott from the German Leibniz Institute for the Analysis of Biodiversity Change (LIB) and one of the authors of the report.
“To deal with the effects of insect decline, we need to understand that species are part of complex, interconnected communities, and that biodiversity is essential for ecosystems to work properly and provide services to humans. The causes of insect decline are also not separate, but a mix of several connected factors,” Ott added.
Key findings of the CMS report include:
The decline in insect biomass, abundance, and diversity poses a major threat to migratory insectivorous species, reducing food availability during migration and other stages of their lifecycles, and endangering many species monitored by CMS.
Land-use change, climate change, and pollution are the main drivers of insect decline worldwide and these drivers are often intertwined and may act simultaneously.
Insects and the migratory species that feed on them are important for ecosystem functioning and provide critical ecosystem services, such as pollination.
There are still gaps in understanding the impacts of insect declines on migratory insectivorous species, with more information needed on the population status and trends for a number of species for both birds and also bats in particular.
A 2020 study published in Science magazine indicates that we are losing approximately 9 per cent of the world’s terrestrial insect population every decade. Insectivorous migratory birds such as swallows, raptors and waterbirds rely on insects and their larvae as essential food sources during their often-long migrations, breeding periods, and when feeding their young.
Many birds also time their migrations to align with peaks in insect abundance. As insect populations (estimated to be two-thirds of all terrestrial species) decrease, these birds face reduced food availability, impacting their ability to survive and reproduce. Beyond their role as a food source and their contributions to maintaining healthy ecosystems, the first-ever State of the World’s Migratory Species report published earlier this year, also emphasised the intrinsic value of insects, underscoring the urgent need to halt their decline.
To address the decrease of insect populations, the CMS report on insect decline recommends:
Putting in place conservation measures to ensure availability of food for migratory species.
Intensifying and supporting insect monitoring efforts and exchange of data.
Engaging in multi-stakeholder efforts to improve habitat diversity and connectivity.
Developing guidelines for the most urgent or prioritized actions identified to address the cascading effects of insect decline.
World Migratory Bird Day 2024
World Migratory Bird Day is an international educational and awareness-raising campaign that promotes conservation efforts for migratory birds and their journeys across borders.
The campaign is organised and coordinated by a global network of partners whose work focuses on the conservation of migratory birds across the world’s various flyways: The Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS), the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA), the East Asian-Australasian Flyway Partnership (EAAFP) and Environment for the Americas (EFTA).
Celebrated on two days each year (in both May and October) to reflect the cyclical nature of bird migration and the varying peak migration periods in the northern and southern hemispheres, World Migratory Bird Day triggers hundreds of educational events around the world, united by their common goal of raising awareness and advocating for international bird protection.
Each year the campaign features a central theme, prompts action, and coordinates global efforts to safeguard migratory birds and their habitats.
Some examples of actions being encouraged through this year’s campaign include:
Creating laws and regulations to protect insects and migratory birds.
Planting native gardens to create suitable habitats for wildlife.
Reducing habitat destruction linked to property development or landscaping practice.
Educating friends and family about the important role insects play in our ecosystem.
Supporting educational efforts aimed at insect conservation, including promoting their conservation at the community level.
Encouraging local to global action to maintain and restore natural habitats for insects, birds, and other wildlife.
Amy Fraenkel, Executive Secretary of the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS), said: “The alarming decline of insect populations is not just an isolated environmental issue – it is a cascading crisis that affects migratory birds, bats, and entire ecosystems. Without further research, as well as swift, coordinated global action to protect insects and their habitats, we risk losing vital species that are critical to maintaining ecological balance. The stakes are high, and this year’s World Migratory Bird Day serves as a crucial reminder of our shared responsibility to address this growing threat.”
Jacques Trouvilliez, Executive Secretary of the African-Eurasian Waterbird Agreement (AEWA), said: “For most migratory birds, insects are crucial for their survival and for their breeding success. One of the main reasons for the decline of insect populations and subsequently the decline of migratory birds is the intensive use of pesticides. Among the affected birds are the Northern Bald Ibis and the Sociable Lapwing – both AEWA endangered species featured on the global World Migratory Bird Day poster this year. The decline in insects and birds is linked to the decline in biodiversity and is part of the triple planetary crisis which also includes climate change and pollution. By protecting insects, we protect our migratory birds and the global biodiversity.”
Jennifer George, Chief Executive at the East Asian-Australasian Flyway Partnership (EAAFP), said: “Migratory shorebirds have synchronised their breeding season with the boom of insects in the Arctic. Once out of their eggs the chicks grow quickly on the insect feast. With insects declining due to the climate crisis and other factors, protecting insects is a crucial step toward protecting the birds that depend on them for survival. As the time approaches for their migration from their breeding and feasting sites, and in celebration of World Migratory Bird Day, let’s protect these young birds’ energy source – insects – to ensure their successful first migration so they survive into fully grown shorebirds.”
Susan Bonfield, Executive Director of Environment for the Americas (EFTA), said: “On this World Migratory Bird Day, we celebrate the connection between our migratory birds and the insects they rely on. From Cliff Swallows catching insects to hummingbirds feeding them to their young, it’s clear that insects are necessary for the survival of many bird species. We invite you to join us in the mission to ‘Protect Insects to Protect Birds’. Let’s advocate, educate, and unite our voices to champion the preservation of wildlife and habitats! By protecting insects, we not only protect migratory birds, but we strengthen the connections that bind us across borders.”
While Nigerians anticipate reduction in the price of fuel to relieve hardship, Robert Dickerman, Chief Executive Officer of Pinnacle Oil and Gas Limited, has said Dangote’s oil production will not massively lower the price.
Robert Dickerman, Chief Executive Officer of Pinnacle Oil and Gas Limited
According to Dickerman, the root cause of fuel hike in Nigeria is the devaluation of naira in the global market.
He spoke during the Association of Energy Correspondents of Nigeria (NAEC) annual strategic international conference in Lagos.
The oil magnate noted that all crude oil and petroleum products are priced in United States Dollar (USD), all over the world since oil was first drilled in Pennsylvania in 1859.
“When we import products, whether the buyer is NTL or a private marketer, we must pay the global market price, adjusted for quality and location. That price is in dollars and must be paid in dollars. When it is re-sold in Naira by vessel, in bulk in a terminal, by truck at a gantry, or by pump at retail, the market price is the USD price, converted to Naira at the current FX exchange rate, which is currently about N1700.
“Any price below that is the result of Nigerian subsidy. The subsidy represents the difference between the market price and the selling price,” he explained.
Dickerman stated that every drop in the naira raises the cost of anything imported or market priced, whether gasoline, manufactured goods or food.
“We must address the root problem, which is how to restore global confidence in Nigeria’s economy and currency, create foreign investment in jobs and local production, increase tax revenue and achieve fiscal prudence! That is the only way to lower petroleum products prices in naira.”
Speaking on the state of fuel subsidy, the CEO pointed out that Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) is still subsidised by the government using discounted FX through the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).
He said, “Prices at wholesale and retail are still considerably below market. That is why only NTL has been able to import (buy high, sell low) and why only NTL can buy Dangote’s gasoline and pay market price, while reselling at a subsidised price. No marketer would stay in business trying to copy this model.
“Available crude for sale by NNPC has been steadily declining due to production challenges and actions taken to raise short term cash such as crude forward sales and crude collateralised on international loans, but also because of the fiscal constraints of the government, its increasing debt and the need to fund large subsidies such as for PMS and electricity.”
The House of Representatives Committee on Ecological Funds has pledged to address ecological challenges that ravage communities in the country.
Gov Peter Mbah of Enugu State
Chairman, House Committee on Ecological Funds, Aminu Jaji, made the pledge when he led other members to assess the impacts of flooding in some communities in Enugu State on Monday, October 7, 2024.
The communities include Amechi Idodo, Amauzam Amagunze, Ihuokpara and Nkerefi communities in Nkanu East and Mpu, Okpanku, Oduma and Nenwe in Aninri Council Areas.
Jaji explained that they decided to embark on the fact-finding visit to see things for themselves.
He assured that substantial funds would be made available to address the situation.
“We have selected some states. Now, we have seen the level and magnitude of the flooding and other ecological issues that we are here to identify.
“We are equally here to find a lasting solution to most of the ecological issues that we have across the country.
“Before we took over the leadership of this committee, there were so many things that went wrong, and now we are trying to correct the public perceptions regarding the Ecological Fund,” he said.
He also assured that the committee would deviate from the tradition of giving piecemeal to the states to address the challenges.
“Now, we are looking at the real problem. Our assessment here is that the devastation will not only affect the communities but will also have some significant impact on the economy.
“As far as farmlands and the houses are submerged, leading to displacement, there will be a decline in the national security of the country. So, we are trying to see how we can provide remedy to these challenges.
“We will make sure that we provide substantial funds that will cater for such problems,” Jaji added.
Addressing newsmen, the Coordinator, Enugu State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Mrs Chinasa Mbah, who accompanied the team, narrated how flooding and other ecological issues had caused devastation in parts of the state.
The coordinator stressed that people in the affected areas were passing through difficulties because their houses and means of livelihood had been destroyed.
She called on the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to swiftly come to the aid of the affected people of the state to ameliorate their pains.
Mbah urged the agency to find lasting solutions to some of the ecological challenges affecting the state.
“The impact of the flood is too high on the Enugu State citizens. When you go to these affected areas, which we visited today, you will discover that the people are actually suffering as a result of the flooding and other ecological issues in the state.
“We need the National Emergency Management Agency, as soon as possible, because the citizens are really affected,” she stated.
Rivers worldwide had less water in 2023 than at any time in the last 30 years, according to
report by the UN weather agency on Monday, October 7, 2024.
Pearl River Basin, China
The report, published by the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO), said that global water levels have been well below the long-term average in the last five years.
The fall in water levels is caused by climate change, it said, exacerbated by the El Niño weather phenomenon, which occurs naturally every few years and affects precipitation worldwide.
Last year was the hottest on record and glaciers lost more ice than they have done for at least 50 years, said the report.
Not all rivers have been equally affected.
According to the WMO, the water levels were below the long-term average in the Mississippi basin in the United States, the Amazon basin in South America, Asia, East Africa and the Ganges.
WMO Secretary General, Celeste Saulo, said that water is the canary in the coal mine of climate change.
‘‘We receive distress signals in form of extreme rainfall, floods and droughts which wreak a heavy toll on lives, ecosystems and economies … and yet we are not taking the necessary action,’’ she concluded.
The Director-General of National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Mrs Zubaida Umar, has urged members of staff to adopt modern technologies in emergency management.
Zubaida Umar, Director General, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA)
Umar spoke on Monday, October 7, 2024, at the opening of the NEMA Customers Service Week titled “Above and Beyond” in Abuja.
She commended the resilience and perseverance of the workers in the face of challenges.
“In times of disasters and emergencies, your ability to remain calm, collected and focused on the needs of those affected is invaluable.
“The stories of saving lives, communities rebuilding, and hope restoration are a testament to your hard work and commitment to service.
“As we move forward, I urge you to continue seeking ways to improve our service delivery.’’
Umar said that the world was in an era where technology was changing the landscape of emergency management, from early warning systems to disaster mapping and response coordination tools.
“Let us embrace innovation and continuously improve our systems and processes to better serve the public.’’
Umar tasked the workforce on teamwork saying that it remained one of strongest assets of the agency.
According to her, the complexity of emergency situations requires collaboration across different departments and external partners.
“By working together, sharing knowledge and supporting each other, we can achieve even greater success in fulfilling our mission.
“As we celebrate Customer Service Week, let us reaffirm our commitment to working above and beyond in achieving excellence in service delivery, innovation and teamwork in all that we do.
“Together, we will continue to build a stronger and more responsive agency that stands ready to serve the people of this nation in their times of greatest need above and beyond their expectations,” she said.
In his remarks, the Mr Bello Danlami, the Information Officer of United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA), commended NEMA for the quality of its services.
He said that the NEMA’s unwavering dedication to providing timely and essential services in the face of emergencies and crises was commendable.
“Your efforts make a significant impact on the lives of countless individuals across Nigeria, ensuring their safety and well-being during the most challenging times.
“At UNOCHA, we recognise the vital role that customer service plays in delivering humanitarian aid and we salute your professionalism, resilience and commitment to serving those in need.
“As we continue to collaborate in addressing humanitarian challenges, we look forward to building on the strong foundation of partnership that we share,” he said.
In her remarks, Mrs Nnenna Akajemeli, the National Coordinator, Service Compact with All Nigerians (SERVICOM), commended NEMA for the initiative.
She said that the celebration pointed out the importance of customer service.
Represented by the SERVCOM Officer, Ms Rebecca Abah, Akajemeli said that irrespective of shape or sizes, customer came first.
She said that developing and implementing plans to prepare communities for potential emergencies remained fundamental.
“Let us bear in mind that going “Above and Beyond” in satisfying our customers requires the commitment of all of us from the front desk to top management.
“Therefore, all hands must be on deck to ensure that quality service is provided for the benefit of all citizens at all times,” she said.
The Managing Director, The Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited (SPDC) and Country Chair, Shell Companies in Nigeria (SCiN), Osagie Okunbor, has received an “Award of Excellence to an Astute and Visionary Technocrat” from the newly instituted executive leadership of the Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN).
Executive Chairman, Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN), Engineer Wole Ogunsanya (left), presenting the association Award for “Excellence to an Astute and Visionary Technocrat” to the Managing Director, Shell Petroleum Development Company and Country Chair, Shell Companies in Nigeria, Osagie Okunbor, at a ceremony in Lagos recently
Okunbor received the award in a short ceremony in Lagos, recently, where the PETAN executive, led by its chairman, Wole Ogunsanya, said: “The award is to acknowledge Country Chair’s leadership of Shell and the long running relationship between PETAN, PETAN member companies and Shell.”
Ogunsanya added: “Shell has been a leader in driving the growth of local capacity participation in the Nigerian oil and gas industry. Several of PETAN members had their first breakthroughs with Shell while even more are currently providing services to Shell Companies in Nigeria.”
“PETAN member companies pledge to consistently deliver quality products and services to Shell in particular.”
He also expressed appreciation for the Shell partnership with PETAN and the Nigeria Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) in the Shell-PETAN Internship program that is giving young Nigerian graduates the opportunity to have a two-year on-the-job training in their respective disciplines, to enhance their employability.
“This programme has been a resounding success with several of the interns retained by the participating members,” Ogunsanya said.
Country Chair, Shell Companies in Nigeria, Okunbor, thanked the PETAN delegation for the recognition. He said: “The growth of participation of indigenous companies in the oil and gas industry is a good thing. Shell companies in Nigeria retain the commitment to continue to create opportunities for Nigerian companies to participate in our business.
“For example, in 2023, SPDC, Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCo) and Shell Nigeria Gas Limited (SNG) awarded $1.98 billion in contracts to Nigeria-registered companies, marking a 3% increase in value from the previous year. SCiN also directly employed more than 2,500 people (of whom 96% were Nigerian nationals) with over 9,000 contractors supporting operations.”
Okunbor reiterated that Shell has invested in game-changing businesses in Nigeria for over 60 years and will continue to power progress, positively impact lives, and unlock opportunities.
The Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN) is an association of Nigerian indigenous technical oilfield service companies in the upstream and downstream sectors of the oil and gas industry.
PETAN was formed in 1994 to bring together Nigerian oil & gas entrepreneurs to create a forum for the exchange of ideas with the major operators, industry stakeholders and policy makers. PETAN is celebrating its 30th anniversary in December 2024.
The Sustainable Research and Action for Environmental Development (SRADev Nigeria) is pleased to express its full support for the recent decision by the Government of Lagos State to ban Single-Use Plastics (SUPs), which is seen as a monumental step in protecting the environment and public health. This ban, which follows the successful earlier ban on Styrofoam, reflects the state’s unwavering commitment to addressing the growing crisis of plastic pollution in the Lagos megacity.
Plastic waste pollution in Akobi Crescent, Lagos, Nigeria
Recognising that the National Plastic Waste Regulations 2023 by NESREA soon to be gazette enshrines a ban on similar single-use plastics effective from 2025. And noting that the Federal Executive Council recently approved the ban on SUPs in all Ministries Department and Agencies (MDAs) recently with immediate effect. SRADev Nigeria also recognises the peculiarity of Lagos State as a major producer of SUPs with less than 20% recycling capacity should necessarily adopt stricter measures to curb the menace. Against this backdrop, SRADeV Nigeria being the foremost campaigner and advocate for a safer plastic free environment hereby wholly supports Lagos State’s outright ban on SUPs effective from January 2025 especially, as this is long overdue.
While the initial ban on Styrofoam raised concerns from businesses and stakeholders on time adequacy, we believe that enough awareness and consultation with the key stakeholders as well as consistent advocacy for a “Just transition” has been ongoing for the past four years.
It should be noted that many African cities with lesser severe plastic pollution challenges have taken similar moves in the past 10 years and Lagos State, a megacity, cannot continue to promote the circular economy paradigm and its climate change commitment side by side the current production and use of SUPs in 2024. Therefore, it is imperative and overtly timely for the state government to declare the phase-out of single-use plastics effective from January 2025, to ensure a cleaner and healthier future for all residents of Lagos.
Notwithstanding, majority of all the alternatives are available and where the alternatives are not readily available it means there should be no production of such plastics in view of their danger.
Noteworthy also, the whole world by December 2024, a new Global Plastic Treaty is going to be finalised in South Korea of which Nigeria is playing a very important role and the Treaty having a major focus on placing a ban on SUPs as well. Therefore, Nigeria has to go the way of the global community when it comes to SUPs. As you already know, single-use plastics are a leading contributor to environmental degradation, littering waterways, choking wildlife, and disrupting ecosystems in Lagos – a known Centre of Excellence.
In view of the impact of plastic pollution in Lagos state, the current cost of inaction and over production of SUPs has immensely contributed to the over-burdened land resource and waste management infrastructure in the state.
SRADev Nigeria and its allies (GAIA Nigeria) stand by the state government to adopt an enforcement strategy that prioritises plastic hotspots from production to use. Extensive aggressive awareness raising should be mounted in all major plastic hotspots and consumer outlets such as supermarkets, eateries and shopping malls et cetera before the end of the year 2024 to facilitate immediate voluntary compliance.
At SRADev, we believe this policy will spur innovation in alternative packaging and provide new opportunities for green businesses to adopt environmentally friendly practices. While we look forward to the state’s pragmatic steps to monitoring and enforcement, we remain committed to supporting the state government, local communities, and businesses throughout this transition, while ensuring that no one is left behind as we work together towards a greener future.
Dr. Leslie Adogame is Executive Director, Sustainable Research and Action for Environmental Development (SRADev Nigeria)
