Stakeholders in the environment sector have called for an urgent action to reduce methane emissions in the country in order to enhance environmental sustainability.
A panel discussion session at the NRGI-CJID multi-stakeholder dialogue in Abuja
Methane is a powerful greenhouse gas and short-lived climate pollutant, primarily emitted by human activities.
Dr Orji Ogbonnaya Orji, Executive Secretary Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI), spoke at a multi stakeholder dialogue on Tuesday, July 23, 2024, in Abuja.
The Natural Resource Governance Institute (NRGI), in partnership with the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID), organised the event.
The dialogue was themed: “Strengthening Methane Emissions Reduction Strategies in Nigeria’s Gas Expansion Plans.”
Orji said that the government must ensure robust frameworks and policies that held oil and gas companies accountable, while civil society organisations must continue to monitor and advocate for environmental sustainability.
“We all need to recognise the urgency of addressing methane emissions within Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.
“Nigerian communities will also benefit from cleaner air and improved health outcomes; to achieve this audacious emission reduction goal, collaboration is crucial.
“As Nigeria expands her gas use, so does the potential for increase in methane emissions, a greenhouse gas 80 times more potent than carbon.’’
Orji warned such expansion of use of gas posed a challenge for Nigeria in meeting its global and national commitments to reducing methane emissions.
“Effective mitigation measures are not only environmentally responsible but also economically beneficial for all stakeholders.’’
Orji said there was need to reduce methane emissions in Nigeria to align with international best practices and standards.
“These guidelines provide a robust framework for companies to measure, report, and reduce their emissions, ensuring they meet the highest levels of environmental performance,” he said.
In his opening remarks, Akintunde Babatunde, Director of Programmes, CJID, said that Nigeria’s commitment to a just energy transition was unwavering.
“Our Nationally Determined Contribution, the 2050 Long-Term Vision for Nigeria and the Energy Transition Plan all articulate clear pathways for transitioning from a fossil fuel-driven economy to a low-carbon one.
“These plans are not merely aspirations but concrete steps toward achieving a sustainable future for our nation,” Babatunde said.
On her part, Tengi George-Ikoli, Senior Officer, NRGI, said that unchecked oil and gas sector methane emissions threatened to exacerbate the climate change crisis.
According to her, such actions undermine Nigeria’s capacity to trade in the global market and leverage the proceeds to sustain its economy.
“Nigeria, with the world’s ninth-largest gas reserves, is a major methane emitter, accounting for 16 per cent of sub-Saharan African methane emissions from 2010 to 2020,’’ she said.
Director-General, Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Nigeria, Dr Emomotimi Agama, says transitioning to a green economy is crucial for the sustainable development of the country.
The SEC organised capacity-building workshop for capital markets operators on green finance held in Lagos
Agama stated this at a capacity-building workshop for capital markets operators on green finance organised by SEC in partnership with the African Development Bank (AfDB) in Lagos on Tuesday, July 23, 2024.
He was represented by Mr Bola Ajomale, Executive Commissioner, Operations, SEC.
The managing director quoted the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) to have defined a green economy as a low-carbon, resource-efficient efficient and socially inclusive economy.
According to him, a green economy is where growth in employment and income are driven by public and private investment into such economic activities.
Agama also mentioned that infrastructure and assets allow reduced carbon emissions and pollution, enhanced energy resource efficiency, and prevention of loss of biodiversity and ecosystem services.
He said: “Climate change, as we all know, is one of the major risks threatening the well-being of mankind.
“Since the Paris Agreement was reached in December 2015, international efforts in combating climate change have gathered enormous momentum.
“According to the IMF, in the past four decades, we have witnessed the warmest years on record and the number of natural disasters more than doubled in that same time frame.”
According to him, embracing green finance remains a critical approach to addressing these challenges, as the nation has a significant opportunity to drive positive change by promoting green finance.
Agama reaffirmed the commitment of SEC to champion sustainable finance initiatives in the country.
He noted that the commission’s rules on green bonds have already facilitated a couple of sovereign issues and multiple corporate issues.
The director-general added that the Federal Government through the Debt Management Office (DMO) had led the way in Africa in this regard by issuing the first sovereign green bond in December 2017.
He hinted that the government had since followed up with another N15 billion issuance in June 2019 specifically to fund renewable energy, afforestation and transportation.
Agama said the commission also approved two green bond issues by North South Power Services Ltd., and Access Bank Plc worth N8.56 billion and N15 billion, respectively.
This is to finance various infrastructural projects in the power, water and agriculture sectors of the Nigerian economy.
“The onus therefore lies with all of us to continue to expand these issuances by locating a need and fashioning appropriate sustainable financing products to meet them.
“As stakeholders, intermediaries, issuers, investors, and regulators, we all play a pivotal role in facilitating the transition of our economy towards sustainable and low-carbon growth.
“We can support this transition through our business activities by directing financial flows towards more sustainable and climate-friendly solutions.
“Also, divesting from unsustainable practices, setting standards and frameworks, and integrating green finance into investment decisions and practices,” he said.
According to him, the primary objective of the workshop is to provide capacity building for capital market operators and stakeholders to enhance knowledge and understanding of green finance.
The director general assured that SEC would continue to strongly support and champion efforts to deliver coordinated and coherent policy advice, capacity building and regulatory support.
Agama said this would help to leverage actions across a broad spectrum of sectors to build the momentum for a green economy which could bring socially inclusive and environmentally sound economic transformation.
In his presentation, Mr Olumide Lala, Executive Director, Climate Transition Ltd., said that the biggest problem of green finance was not the physical risks, but transitioning.
Lala charged capital market operators to promote investment in sustainable projects, such as green bonds and exchange-traded funds to help channel large-scale capital into projects that address environmental challenges.
The Agriculture and Rural Department Secretariat, Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), has begun sensitisatising farmers in the territory on the 2024 Seasonal Climate Prediction (SCP) by the Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NiMet).
Delegates at the NiMet forum to sensitisatise farmers in the FCT on the 2024 Seasonal Climate Prediction (SCP)
The Mandate Secretary of the secretariat, Mr Lawan Geidam, who spoke at the inauguration of the exercise on Tuesday in Gwagwalada, said the goal was to help farmers to adapt to climate-resilient farming techniques.
Geidam said that the measure was part of FCTA efforts to provide farmers with the needed information to boost agricultural productivity.
He said that the sensitisation was organised by the secretariat, in collaboration with the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ).
The mandate secretary said that the FCTA would work strongly with SAPZ to downscale the seasonal climate prediction information across the six Area Councils and 17 Chiefdoms of the FCT for wider reach and greater impact.
He described climate change as a pressing environmental challenge, characterised by unpredictable weather patterns, global warming, drought, torrential rainfall, flooding, and other extreme weather conditions.
These, according to him, pose a serious threat to the nation’s collective quest for food and nutrition security.
He said that the devastating effect of climate change was forcing farmers to abandon their farms to seek alternative livelihoods in cities.
“This situation has understandably been a major concern for the government because of the threat it poses to food production.”
He commended NiMet for consistently publishing the annual SCP, which bridges the knowledge gap faced by farmers in accessing timely and accurate information on planting schedules and crop selection.
He expressed optimism that the sensitisation would help enhance the capacity of farmers to adapt to climate-related risks, thereby boosting agricultural productivity.
Geidam said that the Secretariat has adopted a multi-faceted approach that focuses on three key areas to ensure the success of the sensitisation exercise.
“Firstly, we will mobilise farmers across the Chiefdoms to participate actively in the sensitisation programme.
“Secondly, we will implement capacity building programmes to equip extension agents and farmers with the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively utilise weather data for informed decision-making.
“Thirdly, we will strengthen communication channels between farmers and the Secretariat to ensure seamless feedback and support.
“I assure you that the Minister FCT, Mr Nyesom Wike, and the FCT Minister of State, Dr Mariya Mahmoud, are dedicated to fostering conducive environment for the agriculture sector to flourish.”
He also said that FCT Administration’s efforts to open up the agricultural landscape in the FCT were yielding fruitful results through partnership with critical organisations and projects in the sector.
Geidam identified some of the partners as SAPZ, Agro Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes Project, Japan International Cooperation Agency, and International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, among others.
“We are optimistic that these efforts will culminate in food self-sufficiency, enhanced livelihoods for our communities, and ultimately, a more sustainable and prosperous future for all,” Geidam said.
The Director-General, NiMet, Dr Charles Anosike, explained that the SCP was one of NiMet’s flagship products that helped lots of farmers to improve their yields.
Anosike, who is also a Permanent Representative of Nigeria at the World Meteorological Organisation, said that the SCP also served as an advisory tool for many stakeholders at the federal, state and local government levels.
He added that the state level downscale presented detailed information for the area council’s level, including the crop weather calendar and livestock comfortability index.
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has sensitised stakeholders on waste management to mitigate flood, currently ravaging some parts of the country.
A flooded estate in Abuja
The North Central Coordinator of NEMA, Mr Eugene Nyelong, said at a one-day stakeholders’ workshop on Tuesday, July 23, 2024, in Jos, Plateau State, that the initiative was part of NEMA’s preparedness against floods as waste normally blocked waterways.
Nyelong stated that the Nigerian Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) and the 2024 seasonal climate prediction by the Nigeria Metrological Agency (NIMET) predicted that some local government areas in the North Central states were at high risk of flooding.
The zonal coordinator stated that it was important that all hands must be on deck to proffer mitigation measures.
According to him, the production of waste is increasing at an alarming rate, and it poses, not only environmental risk but also economic and social challenges through its negative impact.
He emphasised that waste management was an issue that touched every aspect of our lives, from the waste we produce at home to the industrial waste generated.
Nyelong added that how the stakeholders handled the waste has significant implications for human health, communities, and the planet at large.
“Improper waste management can lead to pollution, health hazards, and the depletion of natural resources.
“Effective waste management can conserve resources, protect public health, and prevent further degradation of the ecosystem, serving as a deterrent to climate change.
“Our workshop today aims to address these critical issues. We will also delve into the principles of waste reduction, re-use, and recycling.
“One important aspect I will like us to take away from this workshop is that waste management is not just a technical issue but also a societal one. It requires a collective effort from individuals, organisations, and the government.
“Let us remember that the action we take today in managing our waste will have a lasting impact on our future generation,” Nyelong added.
He urged stakeholders to commit to being part of the solution, to innovating, educating, and working together towards a cleaner, healthier, and more suitable environment.
There were presentations from different sources on waste management.
Mrs Rose Enanya of the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) said that rapid urbanisation and population growth were responsible for increased waste generation.
Enanya stated in a paper: “The Need for Effective Waste Management Policies in Nigeria,” that there was inadequate infrastructure for waste collection and disposal, as well as inadequate public awareness and participation in waste management practices.”
She advocated for proper enforcement of existing waste management regulations.
Prof. Chundung Miner of the Department of Community Medicine at Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH) said that waste littered the environment and constituted an eye-sore and pollution of sources of water.
Miner, who spoke on “Environmental and Health Effects of Improper Waste Management in Our Communities”, recommended the domestication of solid waste management policies.
He called for enforcement of the existing solid waste management policy and advocacy for state and local governments for increased funding and manpower development.
He advocated for stakeholder engagements and intense enlightenment campaigns, as well as the integration of waste management education into school curricula and activities.
As record temperatures and unprecedented impacts of climate change continue to affect billions of people across the planet, the United Nations and partners have announced a series of regional meetings aimed at increasing ambition in the next round of climate pledges under the Paris Agreement.
UN Climate Change Executive Secretary, Simon Stiell
In 2025, countries are required to submit new Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). These plans are known as NDCs 3.0. In these NDCs, countries are encouraged to set 2035 ambitious, economy-wide emission reduction targets that align with limiting global warming to 1.5°C and increase resilience to climate impacts.
“To provide climate justice for all and preserve a livable planet, greenhouse gas emissions must fall dramatically and efforts to adapt to climate impacts must be stepped up,” said Inger Andersen, Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). “However, greenhouse gas emissions are not falling, global temperatures are hitting new highs and vulnerable populations are suffering. NDCs 3.0 must match the moment we face and be far more ambitious.”
To help countries shape the next round of their climate pledges under the Paris Agreement, UNEP, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the NDC Partnership, in collaboration with the UNFCCC Secretariat (UN Climate Change), are organising NDCs 3.0 Regional Fora.
“Parties have agreed to the ratchet mechanism under Paris because it’s a powerful tool for progress and they recognise the importance of staying proactive in the face of climate change,” said Simon Stiell, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. “We cannot afford to be stagnant: submitting new Nationally Determined Contributions is not just a reporting requirement, but a vital commitment to safeguarding our planet’s future for future generations. The NDCs 3.0 Regional Fora will support all Parties to deliver on their commitments.”
The schedule for the NDCs 3.0 Regional Fora taking place in 2024 has been set as follows:
Regional Forum for the Pacific, from August 12 to 16, 2024, hosted by the government of Samoa in Apia
Regional Forum for Latin America and the Caribbean, from August 27 to 29, 2024, hosted by the government of Colombia in Bogota
Regional for Eastern Europe and Central Asia, from September 3 to 5, 2024, hosted by the government of Türkiye in Istanbul
Regional Forum for the Middle East and North Africa, from September 23 to 25, 2024, hosted by the government of Tunisia in Tunis
Regional Forum for Asia, from September 30 to October 2, 2024, in Bangkok, Thailand
Regional Forum for Africa, from October 7 to 9, 2024, hosted by the government of Rwanda in Kigali
These Fora will be closed-doors events, targeting government officials responsible for NDCs revisions from all countries in each region. Inclusivity and equal representation will be ensured through the invitation of selected resources spokespeople from youth and other under-represented and marginalised groups.
What NDCs 3.0 need to achieve
UNEP’s Emissions Gap Report 2023 found that current NDCs put the world on track for a global temperature rise of 2.5-2.9°C. While emissions are projected to stabilise after 2030, they still don’t decline rapidly enough to meet scientific targets according to the 2023 NDC Synthesis Report. For a 1.5°C pathway, reductions to global greenhouse gas emissions of 42 per cent are needed by 2030.
Meanwhile, UNEP’s Adaptation Gap Report 2023 found that the adaptation finance gap is US$194-366 billion per year. Urgent country-driven adaptation, backed by appropriate finance, is urgently needed.
The Fora will use insights from COP28 and the Global Stocktake to focus on mitigation options, adaptation solutions and inclusion of super pollutants (short-lived non-CO2 pollutants), such as methane and black carbon in the NDCs.
Participants, invited from government ministries engaged in NDC development and implementation, will engage in peer-learning, explore innovative financing models and share how to develop policy roadmaps that lead to implementation. The Fora will be a place to discuss how ambitious sectoral targets can lead to transformational change and investment plans.
Climate change is also a major driver of nature and biodiversity loss, with nature loss driving climate change. The sources of climate change are often the same as the sources of pollution and waste, hence the crises are interlinked, and the solutions should be integrated.
The Fora will then encourage countries to consider the co-benefits of climate action and share examples on how to align climate targets with other international commitments on nature, pollution and sustainable development in their NDCs.
NDCs 3.0 Regional Fora will be organised in collaboration with other partners, including the UNEP-convened Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC), the United Nations REDD programme, and the German Development Cooperation (GIZ), as well as regional partners including the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP), the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), and the United Nations Economic, Social Commission for West Asia (ESCWA) and the Asian Development Bank.
Minister of State Petroleum Resources (Oil), Sen. Heineken Lokpobiri, has convened a high-level meeting with key stakeholders in the oil and sector to resolve issues surrounding the Dangote Refinery.
(L-R) Mr Gbenga Komolafe, Commission Chief Executive, Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC),Sen Heineken Lokpobiri, Minister of Petroleum Resources (oil), Mr Aliko Dangote, Chairman/CEO, Dangote Group, Mr Mele Kyari, Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.), Mr Farouk Ahmed, Authority Chief Executive, Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) after a closed-door meeting to resolve Dangote Refinery Impasse
This is contained in a statement by Nneamaka Okafor. the Special Adviser to the minister on Media and Communications.
The meeting, which held on Monday, July 22, 2024, in Abuja, had in attendance Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Chairman/ CEO, Dangote Group; and Mr Farouk Ahmed, Authority Chief Executive, Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).
Others are Mr Gbenga Komolafe, Commission Chief Executive, Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC); and Malam Mele Kyari, Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.).
It will be recalled that recent face-off in the industry saw the leadership of the Dangote Group, NMDPRA and NNPC Ltd. in a disagreement over some pertinent issues.
Dangote had declared that the NNPC Ltd. no longer own a 20 per cent stake in its refinery, stressing that the Nigerian oil company now owns only 7.2 per cent of the refinery due to its failure to pay the balance of their shares, which was due in June.
The NNPC Ltd., however, said the decision to cap its equity participation at the paid-up sum was made and communicated to Dangote Refinery several months ago.
The NMDPRA was also at loggerheads with Dangote over issues bordering on licenses, which the Authority said the Dangote refinery was at its pre-commissioning stage while its diesel below international standard.
Dangote, however, refuted the NMDPRA stand on the issue.
Dangote also accused the International Oil Companies (IOCs) of frustrating its refinery operations by selling crude oil to it through their foreign trading arms offering cargoes at two to four dollars per barrel, above NUPRC official price.
On this background, the minister convened the meeting to find a lasting solution to the current impasse affecting the Dangote Refinery, with all parties demonstrating commitment to collaborative and proactive problem-solving.
Lokpobiri emphasised the importance of cooperation and synergy among all stakeholders.
This, he said, would ensure the success and optimal performance of the oil and gas sector, which he described as pivotal for Nigeria’s economic growth and energy security.
The stakeholders expressed their gratitude to the minister for his exemplary leadership and timely intervention in facilitating the dialogue.
The meeting marked a significant step towards resolving the challenges and underscores the minister’s dedication to foster a conducive environment for Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.
The coming on stream of the $20 billion Dangote Refinery with a refining capacity of 650,000 barrels per day (bpd) in 2023, gave impetus to the country’s oil sector as it would ensure that Nigeria was not reliant on fuel from overseas.
The Consul-General of the Kingdom of Netherlands in Nigeria, Michel Deelen, has lauded Okomu Oil Palm Company for its partnership with smallholder farmers in Edo State.
Okomu Oil Palm Plantation
Deelen, who gave the commendation on Monday, July 22, 2024, during a visit to the company, situated in Okomu village, Ovia South-West Local Government, described it as a model for a sustainable agriculture.
The diplomat, who led a delegation of Dutch officials and representatives of IDH, a Netherlands government initiative, on a tour of the company’s facilities, said the partnership would impact on the lives of smallholder farmers.
“This partnership is a shining example of how agriculture can be done in a sustainable way, without contributing to deforestation.
“The testimonies of the farmers we met today are a clear indication that this partnership is working.
“We are committed to supporting agricultural companies in Nigeria that prioritise sustainability, and Okomu Oil Palm Company PLC is a prime example of that,” he said
Earlier, Dr. Graham Hefer, Managing Director of the company, said the firm was committed to ensuring that all its activities were done in a sustainable way.
Hefer said the company was proud of its certifications, including all its methods, to ensure success of the plantation.
Chief Johnson Oni, President of the Smallholder Farmers Association, praised the company and IDH for the smallholder scheme, saying it had benefited the farmers.
“We have a ready market for our products, training, access to subsidised seedlings, and transparent pricing.
“We urge the continuation of this partnership,” Oni said.
Gov. Douye Diri of Bayelsa State has commended the Federal Government for upgrading the Apoi and Edumanom Forests in the state to national parks.
Gov. Douye Diri of Bayelsa State (left); Ibrahim Goni, the Conservator-General, National Park Service (Diri’s immediate left); with officials of the National Park Service, during the visit
Diri made the commendation on Monday, July 22, 2024, in Yenagoa, the state capital, when Ibrahim Goni, the Conservator-General, National Park Service, visited him.
He said that the state government would support the Federal Government to achieve the intentions behind the upgrade.
“As a government, we shall collaborate with the National Parks Service to develop the newly approved parks in our state,” Diri said.
The governor said that the upgrade had shown that the Federal Government was committed to safeguarding the nation’s forests and the environment at large.
Diri, who expressed concerns that the state’s environment had been devasted by the activities of oil and gas companies, declared his administration’s commitment to environmental protection.
“We are happy that at the end of this long journey, the state now has two of its forests upgraded to national parks.
“My administration places huge emphasis on issues concerning the safety of the environment. We are committed to the protection of our environment,” Diri said.
Earlier, Goni said that the approval was coming after 13 years of waiting, saying, “Remember that the process started in 2011.”
The Conservator-General said the Federal Government was keenly committed to the running of the new parks.
He further said the two new parks had the capacity to generate no fewer than 100 employment opportunities for residents of the state.
Apoi Forest is in Southern Ijaw while Edumanom Forest is within Ogbia and Nembe Local Government Areas.
The Coordinating Ministry of Health and Social Welfare says it is collaborating with agencies to address growing public concerns over Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) food safety.
L-R: Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, Director-General, National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC); Dr Tunji Alausa, Minister of State for Health; and Dr Agnes Yemisi Asagbra, Director-General, National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA), during the meeting
The collaboration focuses on safety issues and improving public confidence on GMOs.
Genetic modification (GM) is a technology that involves inserting DNA into the genome of an organism.
To produce a GM plant, new DNA is transferred into plant cells. Usually, the cells are then grown in tissue culture where they develop into plants.
The seeds produced by these plants will inherit the new DNA.
The collaboration meeting recently in Abuja, brought togetherDr Tunji Alausa, Minister of State for Health; Dr Agnes Yemisi Asagbra, Director-General, National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA); and Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, Director-General, National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).
Alausa examined the importance of consistent communication among government agencies to allay fears about GMO foods.
He highlighted the necessity of a collaborative approach, supported by extensive scientific evidence, to ensure the safety of GM foods.
The minister said that the collaborative effort between NBMA and NAFDAC was expected to enhance the regulatory framework for GM foods in the country.
This, he said, would ensure that public health concerns were addressed with the highest standards of scientific integrity.
Asagbra commended the Minister’s initiative and underscored the historical collaboration between NBMA and NAFDAC, referencing a Memorandum of Understanding established in 2017.
She noted that no GM food permits were issued without NAFDAC’s involvement and called for enhanced cooperation to ensure food safety.
On her part, Adeyeye clarified that her previous remarks on GM foods were misunderstood, reaffirming NAFDAC’s commitment to rigorous safety standards.
According to Adeyeye, no GM foods will be approved without thorough scientific safety assessments.
The key resolutions from the meeting include: the establishment of a Technical Working Group (TWG) between NBMA and NAFDAC.
Also, the group would develop terms of reference for the TWG and set up a secretariat, to refer applicants to NBMA prior to processing by NAFDAC, and to continue collaboration on risk assessment and GM food labelling.
Others are enhancing capacity building and training exchanges and to joint efforts in IT and Global Listing initiatives.
The meeting marked a significant step towards unified governance in food safety and public health in Nigeria.
Both agencies said they remain committed to ensuring that scientific evidence guides their actions, fostering public trust in food safety regulations.
“By working together, we reaffirm our commitment to science, environmental protection, and safeguarding the health of the nation.”
Mr Joshua Alabi residing in Kabawa area of Lokoja says he will never wish his worst enemy to be a victim of flood disaster given the experience of 2012 and 2022 in Lokoja, the capital of Kogi State.
Flooding in Bayelsa
Alabi, 29 years old, is Computer and Software Engineering graduate and a fisherman.
“Whenever I see the pictures or videos of flood disaster, I get emotional because it reminds me of the ugly experience my family faced during the disasters.
“In 2022, we noticed that the water level was going up in the area and other coastal communities.
“Before we understood what the situation was, the entire area got flooded, our houses and every other property were submerged.
“The water level was so high that dangerous animals such as snakes were sighted rampantly within the area,” he said.
According to him, the worst hit areas are Gadumor, Ganaja village, Nyamanya junction, old market area and Papa areas in Lokoja.
Alabi said, because of the strong waves and rising flood level in Ganaja village, a boat capsized, and six persons died.
He said government started embankment project as a measure to reduce the impact of future in Lokoja. He said unfortunately, the project was later abandoned.
Also, Peter Ejeh, another resident of Adankolo area of Lokoja regretted that in spite the gravity of loses including deaths during the 2012 and 2022 flood disasters, some people were obstinate on heeding to experts’ early flood warning.
“I find it very worrisome that in flood prone areas in Lokoja, people are still living comfortably within the red line areas in spite warning for them to relocate to safer areas.
“My advice is for those still living in flood danger zones to understand that nothing weighs more than life,” he said.
Lokoja is christened “the Confluence town” because it is the meeting point of River Niger and River Benue, the two major rivers in Nigeria, which accounts for high impact of flooding in the area like other communities on the bank of the two rivers.
Environmental experts had blamed the flood disaster in 2012 and 2022, the worst in the country in recent years on water discharged from Lagdo Dam in northern Cameroon and dumping of refuse in drainages causing blockage.
The also blamed it on building on flood plains with no provisions for surface drainage, the tidal movements of coastal waters, saturated drainage systems, such as in the country’s largest city, Lagos among other factors.
Apart from Lokoja and other riverine communities some urban centres across Nigeria all record the problem due largely to poor sanitary attitude of the residents.
Available records showed that in 2022 alone, no fewer than 600 lives were lost with about 1.4 million persons displaced across the country.
Conscious of the devastating impacts of the two disasters, relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) and even as state governments are in partnership to avert a repeat.
Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Mr Prof. Joseph Terlumun Utsev, released the 2024 Annual Flood Outlook (AFO) recently in Abuja.
Utsev indicated that 148 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in 31 states of the Federation are at risk of high flood.
According to him 249 Local Government Areas in 31 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) are within moderate flood risk areas.
These states include Adamawa, Akwa-Ibom, Anambra, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Benue, Borno, Cross-River, Delta, Ebonyi, Edo, Imo and Jigawa.
The Minister also highlighted that high flood risk are to be expected in areas across three distinct seasons: April, May, and June (AMJ); July, August, and September (JAS); and October and November (ON).
He said that a committee has been put in place with a charge to develop a roadmap to enhance Nigeria’s capabilities in flood mitigation, preparedness.
He said the committee would also work out modalities for its adaptation, and response, informed by periodic updates from the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) and relevant MDAs in the disaster risk reduction sector.
The Minister of State for Water Resources and Sanitation, Mr Bello Goronyo, urged policymakers, planners, farmers, stakeholders, and the public to undertake mitigation measures to enhance safety and reduce potential damages to floods.
He advocated increased awareness and sensitisation to improve flood preparedness and management, particularly in high-risk zones.
Prof. Charles Anosike, Director-General, Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NiMet) and Permanent Representative of Nigeria World Meteorological Organisation (WMO), reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to improving disaster risk preparedness against flooding.
“In 2012, the destructive effects of the excess water released from the Lagdo Reservoir in northern Cameroon and torrential summer rainfall killed 600 people, displaced millions of others, and destroyed over 152,575 hectares of farmland in Nigeria.
“In 2022, the flooding caused over 600 deaths and affecting an estimated 3.2 million people across 34 of the country’s 36 states. The floods destroyed over 569,251 hectares of farmland,” Anosike said.
He said the agency was ready to partner other MDAs to ensure that history did not repeat itself.
Mrs Zubaida Umar, Director-General, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) worked the talk on the sensitisation against flood by organsing a programme in Awka, Anambra State.
She urged community participation in mitigating flooding in the country.
Umar said that the rainfall and flood advisories contained in the 2024 seasonal climate prediction and annual flood outlook indicated that Anambra fell under the 31 states at risk of high and moderate flood.
Also speaking, Gov. Chukwuma Soludo said erosion and flooding which had become an existential threat to the country, required the intervention of the Federal Government and other stakeholders.
Soludo, represented by his Deputy, Dr Onyekachi Ibezim, said the government had developed a work plan to mitigate the impact of flooding in the state.
“The state government is prepared for the emergencies and ready to work with NEMA to reduce the impacts of the annually recurring floods to safeguard the lives and property of the people,” he said.
In Lagos, the Federal Government through the Federal Ministry of Works has directed the removal of silted drains along federal roads with a view to curbing flood on the highways.
The Federal Controller of Works in Lagos, Mrs Olukorede Kesha, said after 10 hours rainfall which resulted to heavy flash flood in parts of the economic nerve centre of the country on July 4 the measure was to check flood disaster.
Kesha said that the ministry understood the inconvenience caused by the flash flood recorded on July 4 and was committed to eliminating the disruptions caused thereafter.
Mr. Moses Osogi, the Cross River State Commissioner for Environment, says the state government is taking steps towards containing the impact of any eventual flooding in the state.
Osogi said in Calabar that the plan followed the 2024 prediction by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) which listed the state among the area at risk of flood disaster.
He said the state government had made arrangements towards reducing the impact of flooding in the state during the year, he said.
Osogi warned residents of the state against erecting structures on waterways, saying that the state government would prosecute anyone found flouting the order.
With the early warning for the 2024 season, environment experts insist that the topography of some communities, improper waste disposal which results to blocked drains could exacerbate the problem.
It is important that vulnerable areas should intensify efforts to improve drainage infrastructure. Adhering to disaster warnings, enhanced resilience through investments in flood control mechanisms is also advised.
