The consequences from severe flooding in Kenya could last beyond the current heavy rains, with environmental damage raising the risks of contamination and disease.
Flooding in Kanya
“Many water sources are polluted and the risk of epidemics spreading throughout the country is increasing,” said Camilla Schynoll, emergency relief coordinator for the German aid agency Welthungerhilfe.
“It’s a race against time. The poorest and already vulnerable families in particular urgently need safe shelter and access to basic services such as clean water, food and health clinics.”
The floods are currently causing a fourth cholera outbreak, she said.
As of Wednesday, May 8, 2024, 257 people had died in Kenya during the rainy season storms alone, while the search continues for more than 70 missing persons.
Kenyan President, William Ruto, has declared Friday, May 10, a national holiday to commemorate the victims of the floods.
In 2023, the El Niño weather phenomenon also triggered flooding and destroyed houses, roads and agricultural land with heavy rainfall, particularly in regions that are usually characterised by drought.
“The destruction caused by the last floods has not yet been fully repaired and many people have not yet been able to completely rebuild their homes.
“And now the next tragedy is occurring and there is no end to the rainfall in sight,” she said.
“This time, the urban areas are badly affected, where many people already live in cramped conditions and in very poor conditions,” said Schynoll about the rains, which were extreme in the greater Nairobi area.
The floods were particularly tough on low-wage workers who could not evacuate, as they depend on meagre incomes for their subsistence: “Many of the slum dwellers are day labourers and live hand to mouth.”
There is a continued risk of further landslides, especially in hilly areas, due to soil softened by the heavy rains.
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd (NNPC Ltd) says it will continue to invest in the development of huge oil and gas infrastructure to make it easy for operators and prospective investors to carry out their business in Nigeria.
NNPC Ltd’s Executive Vice President, Upstream, Mrs. Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan (left), receives an award from PETAN’s Mr. Bank-Anthony Okoroafor, on behalf of the GCEO, NNPC Ltd, Mr. Mele Kyari, as a Keynote Speaker during the PETAN’s Technical Session at the ongoing 2024 Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) in Houston, United States, on Wednesday
The Executive Vice President, Upstream, Mrs. Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, disclosed this at the ongoing Offshore Technology Conference (OTC), on Wednesday, May 8, 2024, in Houston, Texas, United States of America.
Speaking at one of the panel sessions of a luncheon organised by the Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN), with theme: “Sustainable Energy Solutions for Africa’s Future (Nigerian Perspective)”, Eyesan stated that NNPC Ltd.’s objective was to ensure that there is a healthy balance of energy sources in the country.
She explained that though the oil and gas sector is not where it ought to be, much progress had been made between last year’s edition of the OTC in terms of opening up the sector for investments and infrastructural development.
While she identified funding as the major challenge impeding the development of the sector, she listed some of the bright spots in the industry to include the Executive Orders signed by the President to open up the sector, the imminent resolution of the assets divestment by the International Oil Companies, and the aggressive execution of gas infrastructure projects such as the Obiafu-Obrikom-Oben (OB3) Gas Pipeline, which she said would be completed in the next quarter.
Also speaking at the panel session, the Managing Director of SNEPCo, Elohor Aiboni, and the Managing Director of Chevron Nigeria Ltd, Mr. Jim Swartz, stated that their companies’ divestment from onshore and shallow water assets was a general realignment of their portfolios across the globe and should not be misconstrued as exit from Nigeria.
Speaking further on his company’s commitment to remain in Nigeria, Swartz said: “We are excited about what government is doing to build confidence in investors. We are excited to work with NNPC Ltd.”
The House of Representatives Joint Committee on Environment, Petroleum Resources Upstream, Petroleum Resources Downstream and Climate Change has queried oil producing companies operating in the country over the environmental degradation in the Niger Delta region.
The Nigerian House of Representatives in session
Rep. Pondi Gbabojor, the Chairman of the joint Committee, said this Abuja on Wednesday, May 8, 2024, at the public hearing on Environmental Damage within the oil-producing communities.
He said that the oil-producing communities had experienced environmental degradation and socio-economic marginalisation following decades of oil exploration and exploitation.
“The abundant natural resources should have been a source of prosperity and development; rather, the host communities have suffered pollution and land degradation. They also suffer from loss of biodiversity, and deterioration of traditional livelihoods that are inestimable and irreparable,” he said.
He said that in spite of laws and regulations enacted to safeguard the environment and the established regulatory agencies, the environmental damages in oil-producing communities had persisted.
He said the committees would identify erring organisations and hold those responsible accountable.
“Our environment is not just the backdrop of human action but the very essence of life and our sustenance,” he said.
Some 40 companies were invited to the hearing, but only 35 honoured the invitation, including the Ministry of Environment, Dubi Oil Company, and Nigerian Agip Oil Limited.
Others were Starling Oil Exploration, Mobil Producing Nigeria Ltd. Resources Exploration and Production Ltd, and First Exploration and Petroleum Development Company, among others.
The oil companies however requested that the committees visited all the affected states that had experienced environmental degradation, especially the Ogoni Land.
The Federal Government has urged African countries to come up with consistent and similar policies in other to end energy poverty.
Sen. Heineken Lokpobiri, Minister of State Petroleum Resources (Oil)
Mr Heineken Lokpobiri, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), said this became necessary as the debate on the shift from fossil fuel production to renewables gather momentum.
Lokpobiri, gave the charge in his remarks at the Africa Energy Forum with the theme: “The future of Energy Transformation in Africa: Clean Energy and Business Sustainability” held on the sidelines of Oil Technology Conference (OTC) in Houston, Texas, USA, on Wednesday, May 8, 2024.
The minister said Africa must come up with consistent and similar polices, adding that the biggest challenge towards achieving the energy transition is capital.
‘‘The bigger challenge we have is access to capital to explore our oil and gas resources and that is what the West is using to keep Africa down.
“They are now do is to think of establishing our own Energy Bank and that is why the African Petroleum Producers Organisation (APPO) has come up with the idea of establishing an African Energy to help Africa oil producing countries have access to cheap capital,’’ he said.
He hinted that some countries in the Middle East which include Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar and others do not need support from the West because they have the financial capability to fund their oil and gas exploration and wouldn’t bend to the dictates of the West.
He worried that Saudi Arabia which produces 11 million barrels a day is self-sufficient in funding its exploration while the entire African continent that produces about six million barrels per day cannot expand its production capacity because it doesn’t have the huge capital outlay to do that.
‘‘We are always looking up to the West and the West will say, we are not going to give you money unless you stop production of fossil fuels and if we follow them, we will continue to be poor in terms of access to energy.
“The easiest way for Africa oil and gas producing countries to raise money to cater for its need is from oil and gas that we have in abundance.
The minister maintained that no form of energy is superior to the other, depending on which part of the world it is opportune to be.
He said that Nigeria would continue to explore for hydrocarbon resources because that is quickest and easiest way for it to get revenue.
‘‘If we decide to abandon fuel production today, what now happens to the rich natural resources beneath the ground. As we speak coal, today is still very relevant in some part of the world.
“We are not saying we are not transiting because it is a pact that we committed to at COP26 in Glasgow.
“But we must be made to transit at our pace. We should not be rushed into energy transition because if we do, the consequences may be grave,’’ Lokpobiri added.
Belize, Jamaica, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines are the latest countries in the Americas to receive certification from the World Health Organisation (WHO) for eliminating the mother-to-child transmission of HIV and syphilis (EMTCT).
Director, Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO), Dr. Jarbas Barbosa
The milestone was marked on Tuesday, May 7, 2024, at a commemorative event organised by the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) in Kingston, Jamaica, with support from UNICEF and UNAIDS and with the participation of health ministers from the three countries.
“This achievement is a testament to years of dedication, hard work, and collaboration among governments, health professionals, and communities,” PAHO Director, Dr. Jarbas Barbosa, said at the event. Dr. Barbosa also acknowledged the “remarkable resilience” displayed by the three countries, ensuring the adaptation and continuation of essential services despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I trust that the celebration today will inspire other countries to reinvigorate their commitments” towards a generation free of HIV and congenital syphilis.
In 2010, countries of the Americas committed to the elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV and syphilis and endorsed the regional strategy, which was updated in 2016 under the PAHO Plan of Action for the Prevention and Control of HIV and Sexually Transmitted Infections.
To meet elimination targets, countries focused on strengthening prevention and treatment services within primary health care and in maternal and child health, updating guidelines, ensuring the effective screening of pregnant women, monitoring cases and following-up with HIV and syphilis exposed infants.
In a video message, WHO Director-General, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, praised Belize for integrating primary disease prevention and treatment into maternal and child health services. He also commended Jamaica for its civil society organisations’ commitment to human rights and lauded St. Vincent and the Grenadines for investing in robust national laboratory structures.
“While validation is a tremendous accomplishment, maintaining it requires sustained efforts to prevent new infections,” he said. “WHO and partners will continue to support all countries in the Americas to strengthen health systems, provide comprehensive services, and ensure the involvement of women in planning and service delivery.”
Globally, 19 countries and territories have now been certified for eliminating mother-to-child transmission of HIV and/or syphilis, with 11 of them located in the Americas. In 2015, Cuba made history by becoming the first country in the world to achieve the dual elimination of HIV and syphilis. This was followed by Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Bermuda, Cayman Islands and Montserrat and St. Kitts and Nevis in 2017, and Dominica in 2020.
“The end of AIDS is an opportunity for a uniquely powerful legacy for today’s leaders. We are again celebrating a great public health milestone today as Caribbean countries show global leadership in the elimination agenda to achieve an HIV free generation,” Christine Stegling, UNAIDS Deputy Executive Director, said.
New HIV infections among children in the Caribbean decreased by 25% between 2010 and 2022. During that period, annual notified cases declined from 2,000 to 1,500. Reported cases of congenital syphilis in the English-speaking Caribbean now stand at 36 cases per 100,000 newborns, below the goal of no more than 50 cases per 100,000 newborns.
“UNICEF welcomes the commitment of Belize, Jamaica and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines for achieving the double elimination of vertical transmission for HIV and Syphilis,” Garry Conille, UNICEF Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean, said.
“We are confident that this milestone will be a catalyst for other countries in the region to pursue the Elimination of Mother-to-Child Transmission Agenda toward the 2030 target: No child left behind in the progress to end AIDS,” Conille added.
WHO awards this certification to countries which have brought the mother-to-child HIV transmission rate to under 5%; provided antenatal care and antiretroviral treatment to more than 90% of pregnant women; reported fewer than 50 new cases of congenital syphilis per 100,000 newborns, and achieved an HIV case rate of fewer than 500 per 100,000 live births.
Elimination Initiative
The PAHO Elimination Initiative seeks to put an end to more than 30 communicable diseases, including the mother-to-child transmission of HIV and syphilis, in Latin America and the Caribbean by 2030.
The initiative was relaunched during the organisation’s 60th Directing Council and seeks to harness the lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as from previous elimination experiences to accelerate disease elimination in the Region.
Kevin Bernard, Minister of Health and Wellness of Belize, said: “Eliminating mother to child transmission of HIV and syphilis is an extremely significant accomplishment for the people and the country of Belize. The activities leading up to this momentous goal were not always easy, however with the commitment and motivation of our health care workers, in all areas of health, this has become a reality. We continue to work towards achieving public health goals for a healthier and more productive Belize.”
Dr. Christopher Tufton, Minister of Health and Wellness, Jamaica, said: “The elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV and syphilis is a win that underscores protecting the health of all. It is also exemplary of the extraordinary progress being made in our maternal health care. What’s more, it is vitally important that we consolidate the gains made from this achievement, especially through continued community engagement and partnership in the public health interest of all.”
St. Clair Jimmy Prince, Minister of Health, Wellness and the Environment of St Vincent and the Grenadines, said: “I commend the dedication and commitment of healthcare workers on achieving certification by the World Health Organisation (WHO) of the dual elimination of mother to child transmission (EMTCT) of HIV and syphilis. This achievement signals to the world that ending paediatric HIV and congenital syphilis through the elimination of mother to child transmission of HIV and syphilis is achievable. The Ministry will continue to work towards ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.”
World Migratory Bird Day 2024 shines a spotlight on the relationship between migratory birds and insects amidst alarming declines for both.
Migratory birds
World Migratory Bird Day is a global campaign that educates and promotes conservation efforts for migratory birds and their journeys across borders. It raises awareness about the challenges birds face and encourages conservation actions worldwide.
World Migratory Bird Day triggers hundreds of educational events around the world that are 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.
This year, the focus is on the importance of insects for migratory birds. Present in almost all the world’s ecosystems, insects are essential food sources for migratory birds on their long journeys. Migratory birds often time their migrations to align with insect abundance. They depend on these insects for food during migration stops and for breeding success and feeding their young.
The stark reality uncovered over recent years is that insect populations are declining, correlating with a decline in bird species reliant on insects for survival. An analysis in the journal Science revealed that we are losing roughly 9% of the world’s insect population each decade. Deforestation, industrial agriculture, the overuse of pesticides, light pollution, and climate change are major factors driving this trend (Reuters). Additionally, the United States and Canada have observed avian population declines, with a significant 29% drop in bird populations since 1970, equating to around 2.9 billion fewer birds.
This year’s World Migratory Bird Day theme, “Protect Insects, Protect Birds” is an opportunity to raise awareness of the importance of insects, to educate, and to learn. It coincides with rare and fascinating insect events, such as the double-brood cicada emergence in North America and the synchronous fireflies event in the Smoky Mountains National Park, likely to be occurring in late May or early June.
In other parts of the world, the migration of the “wandering glider” dragonfly (Pantala flavescens) stands out for its remarkable impact on the Amur Falcon’s (Falco amurensis) journey across Asia and Africa. While in Europe, the decline of the Pied Flycatcher (Ficedula hypoleuca) has been linked to climate-related food shortages, whereby the birds now frequently arrive in European forests after the caterpillars have matured into insects, which their chicks cannot eat. The consequence of this mistiming was already published in Nature in 2006.
To mark the day, the World Migratory Bird Day Campaign at the CMS and AEWA Secretariats is inviting people around the world to join in World Migratory Bird Day 2024 events and to take simple yet effective strategies to protect insects and birds.
Some examples of actions being encouraged through the campaign include:
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 role insects play in our ecosystem.
Supporting educational efforts aimed at insect conservation, including promoting their conservation at the community level.
Creating laws and regulations to protect insects and migratory birds.
Encouraging local conservation activities to maintain natural habitats for insects, birds, and other wildlife.
Events to celebrate World Migratory Bird Day, the phenomenon of bird migration, and the connections between birds and insects will take place across the world’s flyways on May 11, 2024.
Amy Fraenkel, Executive Secretary of the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS), said: “Insect populations are declining globally, and this is affecting many insect-eating migratory birds. While further research is needed to understand the extent of the problem, the decline of insects in many parts of the world is already having significant impacts on a range of migratory insectivorous species, especially bird and bat species. This has also recently been underlined by a CMS Report on Insects, presented at CMS COP14 in February 2024.”
Jacques Trouvilliez, Executive Secretary of the African-Eurasian Waterbird Agreement (AEWA), said: “Insects are key to the survival and breeding success of many migratory birds. These include some migratory waterbirds such as the Northern Bald Ibis and the Sociable Lapwing – both AEWA endangered species that are also featured on the global World Migratory Bird Day poster this year. Intensive use of pesticides is one of the main reasons for the decline of insect populations. By protecting insects, we protect our migratory birds.”
Jennifer George, Chief Executive at the East Asian-Australasian Flyway Partnership (EAAFP), said: “We cannot live without our six-legged friends, the insects. Outnumbering us humans, they may be small, scary, and often irritating, stinging and biting, but as a crucial part of the food chain, they are what our world relies on. They are especially important to birds, as they are nutritious, full of protein, and many rely solely on them for food. So, to keep our bird species alive, avoid pesticides, value mosquitoes, grow plants that flower, and spread the message – insects for life.”
Susan Bonfield, Executive Director of Environment for the Americas (EFTA), said: “This World Migratory Bird Day, we highlight the relationship between migratory birds and insects, emphasising the urgent need to protect them both. From the aerobatics of Cliff Swallows that capture insects in flight, to hummingbirds that feed them to their young, and the foraging of shorebirds that probe for insects in the sand and other habitats, it is evident that many birds rely on insects at various stages of their life cycles.
“Insects provide an essential source of energy for migratory birds, and the steep declines in grasshoppers, bees, butterflies, and other insects are a stark reminder that the conservation of birds depends on the successful protection of their insect prey. We invite you to join us in taking action to Protect Insects to Protect Birds.”
In fulfilment of their promise to press home their demand for the reinstatement of the over 400 staff of the Lagos State Water Corporation (LWC) disengaged by the corporation on the grounds of redundancy, labour and civil society groups on Wednesday, May 8, 2024, staged a protest to the Lagos State House of Assembly.
Protesters march on to the Lagos State House of Assembly
The groups, led by the Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services Employees (AUPCTRE), National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) and the Senior Staff Association of Statutory Corporations and Government Owned Companies (SSASGOC), also urged the Lagos House of Assembly to probe alleged sleaze enabled by management of the corporation and blamed the practice on the collapse of water services in Lagos.
The protesters, who started the march from Ikeja under bridge, carried placards with inscriptions such as “Sanwo-Olu Employment is a Right!”, “Recall Sacked Staff of Lagos Water Corporation”, and “Mr. Speaker, Speak for the Masses! Your Silence is No Longer Golden!”, among others.
Comrade Sikiru Waheed, AUPCRE National General Secretary, who read the position of the union while the march was on, said that the disengagement exercise which breaches Section 20 of the Nigeria Labour Act is a culmination of the planned privatisation of Lagos water resources and services which started over a decade ago.
The union leader pointed out that billions of naira for rehabilitation of the ailing waterworks in the state, repairs, chemical purchase were not used for the purposes but, instead, contractors and friends of successive management of the corporation got to the contracts and did nothing.
He noted that, till date, no contractor has been probed or sanctioned for diverting taxpayers’ money, even as he insisted that the sack of the workers was to pave way for the privatisation agenda of the state government.
The culmination of the protest was the delivery of a petition to the Speaker Lagos House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, detailing a list of sums allocated for keeping the waterworks running but were allegedly diverted.
They include N4 billion for construction of Otta-Ikosi waterworks awarded in 2007 yet the facility is not working and N3 billion expended on the construction of an Independent Power Plant (IPP) which also included an additional N180 million expended monthly on fueling the IPP.
They alleged that, in 2018, about N897 million and N789 million was released by the Lagos State Government for rehabilitation of Iju and Adiyan Waterworks as well as rehabilitation of mini and micro waterworks across Lagos.
In similar a vein, between 2022 and the present a whopping N2.7 billion was allegedly voted by the Lagos State Government and expended on the rehabilitation of Ishasi waterworks supervised by Mr. Governor yet there is no result.
Other alleged sleaze is the budget for purchase of chemical for year 2023 which was N950 million yet there was nothing to show in terms of water production that year, N315 million paid as 50% advance payment to a contractor for the supply of liquid alum in October 2023 which was not supplied, N1.2 billion budget for chemical in 2024, the sum of N9.5 million for repair of chemical store gate at Iju and Adiyan as well as the sum of N7.3 million for the construction of falling fence at Apapa waterworks, among others.
Speaking in support of the protest march and petition, Executive Director of Renevlyn Development Initiative (RDI), Philip Jakpor, said that the Lagos State House of Assembly must do the needful in investigating the alleged sleaze at the Corporation which has cumulatively crumbled water services in Lagos.
“If the allegations are confirmed then Lagosians will see for themselves where the fault lies. Definitely it is not with the workers who are now the scapegoat for a succession of management that were imposed and only did the bidding of their masters,” Jakpor stated.
The Kaduna State Emergency Management Agency (KADSEMA) said it has identified 708 illegal structures erected in flood-prone areas of the state.
Assessment tour of flood-prone areas within Kaduna
Usman Mazadu, Executive Secretary of the agency, made this known during a two-day assessment tour of flood-prone areas within Kaduna, the state capital.
According to him, the assessment is necessary in assisting the agency to effectively mitigate the Nigeria Meteorological Agency predicted flood outlook of the state.
He said, “Based on reports from relevant stakeholders, about 708 identified structures were erected in the flood prone area across the state.”
Mazadu said the agency had constituted an ad hoc team saddled with the responsibility of assessing the status of the flood prone areas for effective planning and implementation.
He assured that the agency with its relevant stakeholders would do everything possible to minimise the effects of flood in the state to the barest minimum.
Mazadu called on the residents of the state to shun the habit of indiscriminate dumping of refuse on drainage systems to prevent the bane of flooding.
Speaking shortly after the tour, Malam Hussaini Abdullahi, Head of Disaster Risk Reduction Unit, KADSEMA, said the move was part of the agency’s proactive measures to reduce the impact of floods in the state.
He urged the residents of the state to adhere to the laid down procedures for developing any landed property by following through the appropriate channels to avert flooding.
The flood assessment team visited Rafin Guza, Kigo Road, Bashama Road, Unguwan Rimi and Unguwan Dosa in Kaduna North Local Government Area.
Others were Anguwar Romi, Gonin Gora and Sabon Tasha in Chikun LGA.
The National Emergency Management Agency, Kaduna State Urban Planning Development Authority (KASUPDA), Kaduna Geographic and Information Service (KADGIS), Kaduna Environmental Protection Authority (KEPA), Red Cross and the Ministry of Environment were at the event.
Experts have observed that Africa is the most vulnerable continent to climate change impacts under all climate scenarios above 1.5 degrees Celsius.
NiMet Director-General, Prof. Charles Anosike
The UN Environment Programme says Africa has contributed negligibly to the changing climate, with just about two to three percent of global emissions.
However, says the UN body, Africa stands out disproportionately as the most vulnerable region in the world. This vulnerability is driven by the prevailing low levels of socioeconomic growth in the continent
Africa faces exponential collateral damage, posing systemic risks to its economies, infrastructure investments, water and food systems.
Other areas at the receiving end of climate change in Africa are public health, agriculture, and livelihoods, threatening to undo its modest development gains and slip into higher levels of extreme poverty.
Data from AGRHYMET Regional Centre shows that more than 50 million people would experience food crisis in the region during the upcoming lean season from June to August, if appropriate measures were not taken.
The Director-General of AGRHYMET Regional Centre, Dr Abdul Ali, said this at the four-day 2024 Regional Climate Outlook Forum held in Abuja.
The event was a forum on climate outlook and seasonal forecasting of Agro-Hydro-Climatic Characteristics of the Sahel and the Sudan Region of West Africa.
Addressing climate change requires close attention to details and early warning signs and authorities say this is receiving.
Dr Benard Gomez, the representative of World Metrological Organisation (WMO) for West, Central and North Africa said with the support of the African Union Commission and Partners, an “Earlier Warning for all Action Plan” had been developed for Africa as well.
Gomez, who was represented by Mr Rowland Abah, said the UN had planned to prioritise early warning systems against climate disasters globally, by 2027.
“The state of climate in Africa report 2022 revealed that more than 110 million people on the African content were directly affected by weather, climate and water-related hazards in 2022.
“This would cause more than $8.5 billion in economic damages.
“The development of ‘Early Warning Systems’ to cover everyone on the planet with Early Warning Systems by 2027 is now a priority of the United Nation,” he said.
Gomez said WMO had migrated Global Data Processing and Forecasting Systems (GDPFS) to its Integrated Processing and Prediction System (WIPPS).
He said the migration would improve coordinate exchange of earth system observation, numerical weather prediction and access to model products.
Mr Festus Keyamo, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, assured that the Federal government would deploy climate-smart predictions and warnings to enhance socio-economic development of the citizens.
Specifically, he said the government would continue to take seriously, the issuance of disaster early warnings for its citizenry, to de-risk sectorial activities and avert losses.
Keyamo said the outcome of the regional climate outlook forum would be a great planning tool for governments and policymakers across the region.
“Experts and researchers in meteorology and climate sciences from across the West African sub-region and Sahel had dedicated their energy and intellect to develop a comprehensive forecast for the region, targeting the coming rainy season.
“Just as the general airspace is a continuum in aviation, weather and climate events are also trans-boundary, hence the need for us to work together irrespective of boundaries.
“We should downscale the outcomes of this forum to our local and rural communities to achieve the United Nations’ target of Early Warning for All (EW4ALL) by 2027,” he said.
The minister assured that Nigeria would continue to support regional efforts to mitigate the impact of climate change and encourage weather and climate-smart sustainable development
Speaking, Prof. Charles Anosike, Director General /Chief Executive Officer, NiMet, canvassed reliable seasonal forecasts for the Africa to mitigate impact of climate change.
Anosike said efforts toward reliable seasonal forecasts would not only reduce the impacts of climate change but also boost productivity across the region.
“Seasonal forecasting under increasing climate disasters can protect lives and property and this is key to achieving the United Nations Early Warnings for All.
“It is, therefore, crucial that we ensure our seasonal forecasting processes are reliable and validated to enable accurate and actionable prediction.
“We hope the outcome of this four-day exercise will provide our society with the necessary climate decision support to reduce the impact of climate disasters and boost productivity,” he said.
He said the 2024 regional climate outlook was timely as weather and climate events continued to take a toll on the region, despite tremendous advances and investments in climate science and operational forecasting.
He listed weather related hazards to include early or later onset of rainy seasons, droughts, floods and extended periods of extreme temperatures which trigger and account for a greater proportion of disaster losses.
“NiMet’s Seasonal Climate Prediction on Feb. 20, will continue to serve as an early warning tool to ensure improved preparedness for climate disasters, protect lives and critical national assets toward sustainable economic development.
“We are fully committed to regional climate outlook forum as it provides a platform for a consensus regional forecast,” he said.
The world has become a global village in this has effects on approaches to solving challenges facing mankind and the environment. The task of addressing climate change is enormous and requires multi-lateral and multi-sector approach
Mr Clement Nze, Director-General, Nigeria Hydrological Service (NIHSA), said the collaborative efforts within the region to produce a regional forecast had been useful in providing timely information to manage resources sustainably.
According to him, NIHSA recently presented the 2024 Annual Flood Outlook (AFO) for Nigeria.
“About 31 out of 36 states of the federation are expected to be flooded which calls for drastic early preventive actions to be taken.
“This effort is a testament to our commitment to use scientific methods and processes to tackle hydro-climatic challenges of this day and age.
“This forum, when scaled down to national level, often agrees with the predictions made, and serve as complementary for disaster risk management,” he said.
The number of people who have lost their lives in the devastating floods and landslides triggered by heavy rains in Kenya since March has risen to 238, the government said.
Flooding in Kenya
Government spokesman, Isaac Mwaura, said eight more people lost their lives in the raging floods in the last 24 hours.
Mwaura said 47,000 households are displaced, while a total of 286,011 people have been impacted by the heavy rains and flooding across the country.
He said the government is committed to safeguarding the lives of those affected and is in the process of setting up houses to accommodate the displaced people.
Meanwhile, some parts of the country remained cut off and inaccessible after roads and bridges were washed away, marooning thousands of residents, disrupting business across the country and forcing the indefinite postponement of school reopening.
Mwaura directed all persons living in riparian corridors and within the 30-meter radius of rivers across the country to vacate immediately or be forcefully removed.
“Nobody will go back to riparian areas within a 30-meter radius,” he added.
Mwaura reiterated that multi-agency teams have been deployed and are helping conduct rescues and distribute food items.
