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Govt raises alarm over health risks of greenhouse gas emissions

Michael Simire
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Govt raises alarm over health risks of greenhouse gas emissions

The Federal Government of Nigeria has raised the alarm over the growing burden of respiratory illnesses, cardiovascular conditions, and other environmental-related diseases linked to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions across the country.

Minister of Environment, Mr. Balarabe Lawal, disclosed this on Monday, February 2, 2026, in Abuja at a stakeholders’ engagement on the National Emergency Response to Environment-Related Diseases Arising from Greenhouse Gas Emissions.

The meeting was organised by the Environmental Health Council of Nigeria (EHCON).

Malam Balarabe Lawal
Malam Balarabe Lawal, the Minister of Environment

Lawal, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Mr. Mahmud Kambari, said evidence from environmental surveillance, health statistics, and peer assessments presents a clear and disturbing picture of the health burden posed by greenhouse gas emissions.

“Respiratory illnesses, cardiovascular conditions, and other environmentally linked diseases are rising. What we are facing today is no longer solely an environmental issue but a public health emergency.

“The burden of disease associated with poor environmental quality is increasing faster than our health system can accommodate.

“Families are spending more on treatment, workforce productivity is declining, and environmental degradation continues to undermine our development goals,” he said.

Lawal noted that the absence of a coordinated national framework to systematically address environmental health risks linked to greenhouse gas emissions has further deepened the challenge.

Based on these concerns, he said the ministry, in partnership with EHCON and key stakeholders, considered the declaration of a public health emergency on environmental-related diseases as urgent and necessary.

According to him, the Federal Government has therefore activated the National Emergency Response Initiative on Environmental Public Health Impacts of Greenhouse Gas Emissions (NERI-EPHIGGE).

He explained that the initiative represents a strategic and coordinated national framework designed to deliver both immediate and long-term interventions through strengthened environmental health regulations and enforcement.

“It also entails the nationwide establishment of environmental health surveillance and response units, promotion of cleaner energy, sustainable industrial practices, low-emission transport systems, as well as robust public awareness and behaviour change campaigns,” Lawal said.

He assured that the ministry would continue to work closely with state governments, relevant departments, development partners, and civil society organisations to ensure that environmental protection efforts translate into measurable public health outcomes.

“I emphasise that this responsibility does not rest on government alone. It demands collective action from regulatory bodies, industries, and the transport and energy sectors.

“The cost of inaction is greater than the cost of intervention. The science is clear, the health evidence is undeniable, the risks are immediate, and the time to act is now,” he said.

Lawal therefore called on all stakeholders to lend their full support to the implementation of the national emergency response initiative and work collectively towards a cleaner environment, a healthier population, and a more sustainable Nigeria.

He commended EHCON for its foresight, professionalism, and commitment to safeguarding environmental public health, describing the engagement as timely as stakeholders unite to confront the growing public health consequences of greenhouse gas emissions and environmental pollution.

“Nigeria, like many rapidly developing nations, is experiencing accelerated urbanisation, industrial expansion, rising energy demand, and intensified transportation activities.

“These are indicators of economic growth and modernisation. However, they have also resulted in a troubling increase in environmental pollutants, particularly greenhouse gases, which have both direct and indirect impacts on human health,” he said.

Meanwhile, EHCON has reiterated its commitment to implementing the National Emergency Response Initiative on Environmental Public Health Impacts of Greenhouse Gas Emissions (NERI-EPHIGGE) across the country.

Dr Yakubu Baba, Registrar of EHCON, who made this submission, explained that the NERI-EPHIGGE framework provides a structured, coordinated, and results-driven approach to addressing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

Baba decried that environmental-related diseases linked to GHG emissions remain one of Nigeria’s most pressing yet under-recognised public health challenges.

“Immediate and coordinated action is essential to prevent further loss of lives and safeguard national development,” he said.

He outlined key pillars of EHCON’s implementation plan, including the nationwide deployment of Environmental Health Practitioners (EHPs) to all 774 local government areas and six area councils of the FCT.

These practitioners are expected to serve as frontline agents for environmental health surveillance, compliance monitoring, and community risk communication.

Baba added that the council would collaborate with other Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to roll out mandatory emissions testing, environmental health compliance certification, and standardised reporting mechanisms for industries and transport operators.

“EHCON will operationalise environmental health surveillance and response units to monitor emission-related health risks, conduct routine environmental inspections, collect and report real-time data, and support emergency environmental health interventions,” he said.

He noted that the council will work closely with the Federal Ministry of Environment, National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), Federal Ministries of Health and Transportation, State Ministries of Environment, and Local Government Environmental Health Departments.

He added that continuous training and professional development for EHPs will ensure they are equipped with modern surveillance tools, digital data collection systems, advanced risk assessment skills, and effective community engagement strategies.

Baba said the initiative aligns with Nigeria’s Climate Change Act, national environmental regulations, the country’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), the Sustainable Development Goals, and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

He stressed that EHCON is ready to lead the technical implementation, working with all stakeholders to safeguard Nigerians’ health and protect the environment.

The registrar explained that the engagement was convened to present findings from extensive field surveillance, environmental health assessments, and stakeholder consultations conducted by EHCON as part of its statutory mandate.

“We have observed a rising burden of environmental-related diseases linked to greenhouse gas emissions.

“These pollutants not only harm our environment but directly endanger the health, productivity, and livelihoods of Nigerians. This engagement is not merely a meeting, it is a national call to action,” he said.

Dr Samuel Akingbehin, National President of the Environmental Health and Public Health Practitioners of Nigeria, assured the council of the association’s readiness to collaborate in bridging government policy with grassroots implementation for a safer, healthier country.

Mr. Obriki Juliano, Chief Executive Officer of Oxytane Africa Investment Ltd, said the organisation is mandated to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve fuel efficiency across the transportation, power, and industrial sectors.

He pledged commitment to work with EHCON and relevant agencies to minimise emissions and ensure a safer society.

By Felicia Imohimi

Surveyor hosts Ondo Business Network Golf Tournament

Michael Simire
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Surveyor hosts Ondo Business Network Golf Tournament

The Smokin Hills Golf Resort in Ilara-Mokin, Ondo State, will host the 2026 Business Network Golf Tournament on February 21.

The event, sponsored by Bode Adediji Partnership and Kontinental Developers Limited, aims to bring together businessmen, professionals, and artisans worldwide.

The tournament is said to be a way to contribute to the sporting community, according to Mr. Bode Adediji, a renowned estate surveyor and valuer. He believes the growth of golf is linked to a nation’s socio-economic progress.

Smokin Hills Golf Resort
Smokin Hills Golf Resort in Ilara-Mokin, Ondo State

The main purpose of this tournament, Adediji, a lover of the game of golf, says, “is our little way to contribute to the sporting community”. In his words, “there is a school of thought that tries to establish a linkage between the growth in golf players and infrastructural facilities, on one hand and the overall socio-economic progress of a nation, on the other hand”.

Usually, he observes, “it is an index of development”. Making reference to countries like Japan, China, South Korea, United States and Italy, where the game of golf thrives, he says it is not possible to have this game in an environment of backwardness and poverty. 

To many people, the relevance of the game of golf to business growth as well as the development and management of urban infrastructure may not be clear enough. Adediji has this to say: “There are two major reasons why we are promoting the game of golf. The main reason is that it falls within the aspect we call leisure and recreation management which is an integral part of business and professional developments worldwide.”

On the choice of the Smokin Hills Golf Resort for the business networking, he says, Elizade Golf Resorts,‘The Smokin Hills’, in Ilara Mokin, Ondo State, was developed by Ondo born High Chief and Chairman of Elizade Motors, Chief Michael Adeojo. According to him, “the 18-hole golf resort is the latest addition to Nigeria’s list of growing golf courses”.

The course, which is just about 20 minutes from Akure, the Ondo State capital, is located in a university town and is the first and only golf facility in cocoa-producing Ondo State. 

Arguably, Adediji says, it is one of the best courses in Nigeria today, saying that its sheer aesthetics value surpassed first time visitors’ expectations, as golfers who have hit the course are quick to compare it with IBB International Golf and Country Club, Abuja and Le Meridien Ibom Golf Resort, Uyo, the only Nigerian courses with world class attributes.

“Close by is the Elizade University and it is a course that takes patience and the ability to be creative around the Green. You could see this from the several bunkers and huge trees that dot the course. The course is completely entirely playable, even to a weekend hacker.

“Elizade University and the golf course is capable of handling any course anyone would think of in Nigeria and in comparison, with other similar universities /colleges across the globe,” Adediji remarked.

Illegal waste disposal: LAWMA arrests suspect, seizes carts in Lagos

Michael Simire
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Illegal waste disposal: LAWMA arrests suspect, seizes carts in Lagos

The Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) says it has seized waste carts and arrested one person during an early morning enforcement operation on Lagos Island, to curb illegal waste disposal.

This was disclosed in a statement signed by Director of Public Affairs of LAWMA, Mr. Mukaila Sanusi, on Monday, February 2, 2026, in Lagos.

He said that the operation followed targeted surveillance, aimed at tackling unregulated waste movement, and preventing a return of illegal dump sites earlier cleared by the authority.

Cart pusher
Cart pusher

He said that LAWMA enforcement officers intercepted several waste carts at Isale-Eko during the coordinated dawn operation across key locations on Lagos Island.

According to him, an individual was arrested at about 1:31 a.m. while illegally dumping waste at Tinubu Square, Lagos Island.

He noted that early-hour monitoring remained crucial, as most illegal dumping activities were carried out during periods of low visibility.

Quoting the Managing Director of LAWMA, Dr Muyiwa Gbadegesin, Sanusi said that sustained enforcement strengthened deterrence and protected stabilised areas from renewed environmental abuse.

“Surveillance and enforcement operatives are strategically deployed statewide to eliminate persistent black spots and ensure environmental sustainability,” he said.

He, consequently, urged residents to use approved waste disposal channels, and support efforts to keep Lagos clean.

Abia climate policy validation described as strategic step to strengthen state’s resilience

Michael Simire
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Abia climate policy validation described as strategic step to strengthen state’s resilience

The Foundation for Environmental Rights Advocacy & Development (FENRAD) has commended the Abia State Government for the successful validation of its Climate Change Policy and Action Plan, describing the achievement as a bold and strategic step toward strengthening climate governance, environmental sustainability, and socio-economic resilience in the state.

FENRAD, an environmental rights advocacy organisation, actively participated in the policy validation process alongside government institutions, civil society organisations, community representatives, and other key stakeholders.

Philemon A. Ogbonna
Mr. Philemon A. Ogbonna, Abia State Commissioner for Environment and Urban Renewal

The organisation acknowledges the Department of Climate Change under the Abia State Ministry of the Environment for providing institutional leadership and coordination throughout the policy development and validation process.

FENRAD also commends PACE-Agile for its technical expertise and funding support, which were instrumental in ensuring the development of a robust, evidence-based, and inclusive Climate Change Policy and Action Plan.

“The validation of the Abia State Climate Change Policy and Action Plan marks a critical turning point in the state’s response to climate risks. The technical guidance and financial support provided by PACE-Agile, alongside the leadership of the Department of Climate Change, ensured that the policy aligns with global best practices while addressing Abia State’s local realities and Inclusive and Rights-Based Climate Framework.

“FENRAD applauds the participatory and inclusive approach adopted in the development and validation of the policy, which integrated inputs from women, farmers, local communities, persons with disabilities, private sector actors, and civil society organisations.

“This approach reinforces the importance of rights-based, people-centred climate action, particularly for vulnerable and climate-exposed populations across the state.

Advancing Sub-National Climate Leadership

The organisation noted that the validated Climate Change Policy and Action Plan positions Abia State as a leading example of sub-national climate action in Nigeria, while complementing national commitments under the Climate Change Act and international obligations such as the Paris Agreement and National Determined contributions

The policy provides a strategic framework for mainstreaming climate considerations into development planning, budgeting, and key sectors, including agriculture, energy, infrastructure, waste management, and disaster risk reduction.

Call for Sustained Implementation and Partnerships

While commending the achievement, FENRAD emphasised that effective implementation, sustained funding, inter-agency collaboration, and continuous stakeholder engagement will be essential to translating the policy into measurable climate resilience outcomes.

FENRAD reaffirms its commitment to supporting the Abia State Government through:

  1. Technical input on climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies
  2. Community-level awareness, education, and capacity building
  3. Monitoring, accountability, and environmental rights advocacy in the policy implementation. 

South Korean agritech firm named 2026 Zayed Sustainability Prize finalist

Michael Simire
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South Korean agritech firm named 2026 Zayed Sustainability Prize finalist

A South Korean agritech company, E Green Global, has been named runner-up in the food category of the 2026 Zayed Sustainability Prize, following an announcement made during Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week held from January 13 to 15, 2026.

The small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) specialises in seed potato production and was recognised for its use of microtuber technology, an indoor, laboratory-based system that produces disease-free seed potatoes without traditional greenhouses.

Keejoon Shin
The founder of E Green Global, Mr Keejoon Shin, pictured in a suit during a partnership meeting

Potatoes are the world’s fourth-largest crop by production and the third most consumed food crop globally, according to the United Nations (UN) Food and Agriculture Organisation and the International Potato Centre. Yet access to high-quality seed remains a persistent challenge. Industry estimates suggest that only about 20 per cent of seed potatoes meet acceptable quality standards, limiting yields and farmer incomes in many regions.

Founded in 2009 by Keejoon Shin, E Green Global developed a plant-factory system that replaces greenhouse cultivation with controlled light-based production. The company says its approach reduces land use, water consumption, chemical inputs, and carbon emissions, while shortening delivery times.

Today, E Green Global produces more than 10 million seed potatoes annually, supplying farmers across South Korea, the United States, China, Saudi Arabia, and parts of Europe. The company estimates its technology supports agricultural livelihoods linked to roughly 15 million people worldwide.

Speaking during an interview conducted via Microsoft Teams at Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, Shin said global disruptions in recent years, including the COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine, exposed the fragility of cross-border seed supply chains.

According to him, “Farmers ordered seed potatoes that never arrived,” he said. “Geopolitics directly affected food production and income.”

To address this, the company is pursuing localised seed production systems in partnership with governments and regional operators. In Saudi Arabia, E Green Global has established a joint collaboration aimed at replacing imported seed potatoes, which can cost farmers more than $1,000 per tonne, including shipping, and have a limited storage life.

“If countries can produce their own high-quality seed locally, they gain food security and sovereignty,” he stated.

The company has signed memoranda of understanding (MoU) with regional governments and partners, including a joint venture agreement in China, a production facility in Saudi Arabia, and a local government partnership in Bonghwa County, South Korea. In 2022, E Green Global raised 7.6 billion South Korean won ($5.6 million) for its European subsidiary to expand direct-to-field seed production.

Shin said recognition by the Zayed Sustainability Prize brings visibility to an industry that often operates out of public view.

“This is a closed sector – most people don’t think about where seed potatoes come from,” he said. “Being selected helps bring attention to a fundamental part of the food system.”

E Green Global says its next focus is expansion across the Middle East and Africa, regions where seed quality and affordability remain significant barriers to agricultural productivity.

By Nsikak Ekere, Abuja

NIES 2026: Lokpobiri pushes practical local content strategies

Michael Simire
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NIES 2026: Lokpobiri pushes practical local content strategies

The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Sen. Heineken Lokpobiri, has called for practical and collaborative approaches to strengthening local content implementation in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.

Lokpobiri made the call on Monday, January 2 in Abuja, at the official pre-conference opening of the 2026 Nigeria International Energy Summit (NIES) dedicated for Local Content.

The 2026 NIES edition has its theme as “Energy for Peace and Prosperity: Securing our Shared Future”.

Heineken Lokpobiri
Mr. Heineken Lokpobiri, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil)

Speaking at the event, the minister emphasised that local content remains central to Nigeria’s energy growth and Africa’s broader economic development.

Lokpobiri said that challenges surrounding the implementation of the Local Content Act were among the first issues he confronted upon assuming office.

According to him, while the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act was enacted in 2010 for building indigenous capacity, but its misapplication over the years had contributed to high project costs and limited capacity growth among local companies.

Lokpobiri explained that Nigeria’s oil and gas projects often cost more than similar projects executed abroad, a situation he described as unacceptable.

He however said the Federal Government, under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu, had begun addressing the issue through Executive Orders and stricter adherence to the true spirit of the Local Content Act.

He said that the Act was never intended to exclude international Engineering Procurement and Construction (EPC) companies, but rather to promote cooperation between international operators and indigenous firms.

“Nigeria is big enough for both EPC companies and indigenous companies to coexist. Complex offshore projects still require EPC expertise, while collaboration can help reduce costs and improve competitiveness.”

The minister disclosed that engagements are ongoing to bring EPC companies, international oil firms and strong indigenous operators together, with the aim of fostering joint ventures, improving cost efficiency and retaining more value within the country.

He also expressed concern that, in spite of funding provisions under the NOGICD Act, some beneficiary companies failed to build sustainable capacity, instead using the funds for short-term gains.

He said this informed the government’s renewed focus on accountability and strategic oversight in local content implementation.

Lokpobiri said the current administration is committed to ensuring that financing support was accessible to companies genuinely interested in building long-term capacity capable of serving not only Nigeria but the wider African market.

On human capital development, the Minister highlighted the importance of capacity training initiatives by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) and private sector partners.

He urged stakeholders at the summit to seize the opportunity presented by the 2026 edition to develop actionable strategies for strengthening local content and growing the Nigerian economy.

“There is no competition between local and international companies. The space is large enough to accommodate everyone through collaboration and shared value creation,” the minister assured.

By Emmanuella Anokam

Group urges NNPC to compel firm to curb Orashi River gas leak

Michael Simire
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Group urges NNPC to compel firm to curb Orashi River gas leak

The Environmental Defenders Network (EDEN) has urged the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) to compel Oando to immediately mobilise to stop an ongoing gas leak from its facility in the Orashi River in Rivers State.

After more than a year of frustrating efforts to get environmental justice, the locals reported the incident to EDEN on January 3, 2026, necessitating a field visit on January 31 for documentation of the impacts.

However, the leak is yet to be clamped and the pollution has gravely affected the Engenni people and other downstream communities. 

Gas leak
Gas leak in Orashi River in Rivers State

EDEN field monitors learnt from local community people that they reported the incident to the Nigerian Agip Oil Company when the firm was in charge of the facility and nothing was done. After Oando took over operations it also refused to take any action.

They lamented that the Orashi River is their only source of drinking water and the environment where they fish, even as they cautioned of likely explosions and other hazards that may occur if the gas leak continued.

EDEN Executive Director, Barrister Chima Williams, said: “We are shocked that this impunity and obvious negligence by Oando have been allowed to continue for more than a year. Oando is deliberately provoking the people, and the Nigerian authorities have continued to look away. It is unacceptable.”

Barrister Williams insisted that the NNPC should, as a matter of responsibility and urgency, prevail on Oando to take the needed immediate steps to protect the health and livelihood of the locals by acting promptly and must equally take responsibility for the damages the incident has caused.

He said that AGIP did not have a positive rating with environmental management when it operated the facilities in the community and noted that Oando would seem to have toed the same line of approach.

It will be recalled that EDEN field monitors have documented the situation concerning pipelines originally owned and managed by Agip before Oando became the new owners of the facilities for more than a decade. The web of pipelines right from the company’s Taylor Creek Wells at Ikarama carry different products such as gas, condensate and crude oil. In October 2019, there was an underwater gas leakage on the Taylor Creek; at Kalaba community in Bayelsa State.

Williams said that the impunity must not be allowed to continue and urged the Ahoada West Local Government, Rivers State Ministry of Environment and Federal Ministry of Environment to compel Oando to address the leak and also provide potable water for the people of Oshie and Akinima communities as soon as possible.

Cholera: Bauchi urged to fix broken water facilities

Michael Simire
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Cholera: Bauchi urged to fix broken water facilities

WaterAid Nigeria has urged the Bauchi State Cholera Technical Working Group (TWG) to prioritise rehabilitation of dilapidated Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) facilities in its budget.

The State Team Lead, Mr. Mashat Mallo, said this at the end of the Cholera TWG meeting on Monday, January 2, 2026, in Bauchi, the state capital.

He said the call was imperative to ensure rapid and effective response to cholera and other water-borne disease outbreaks.

Bala Mohammed
Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State

Mallo, represented by Kashim Alex, Business Development Officer, WaterAid, cautioned that over-dependence on donors was unsustainable.

He said donors often channeled funds through Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), specifically for the maintenance and sustainability of WASH facilities.

He, therefore, urged stakeholders to judiciously utilise such resources rather than waiting for fresh interventions.

“You need to review your WASH budgetary allocations and use existing donor-supported resources to fix broken facilities instead of waiting for funders to step in again,” he said.

Mallo expressed optimism over the inauguration of the TWG, which resolved to meet monthly, while its steering committee would convened quarterly.

He hilighted that inclusive collaboration with civil society organisations, religious bodies and the media would strengthen efforts to curb cholera outbreaks in the state.

Dr Sani Dambam, Commissioner for Health and Social Welfare, said the state government would adopt a preventive strategy, focusing on nine thematic areas.

He said that this include disease surveillance; sustained use of oral cholera vaccines, leadership coordination, risk communication and community engagement,” Dambam said.

Dambam urged stakeholders to intensify sensitisation against unhygienic practices, especially during the first quarter of the year when cholera cases usually peak.

By Ahmed Kaigama

Stranded at midnight: How recurrent gridlocks on Lokoja-Abuja highway are putting lives at risk

Michael Simire
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Stranded at midnight: How recurrent gridlocks on Lokoja-Abuja highway are putting lives at risk

In the early hours of January 19, 2026, at about 1:16 a.m., Mrs. Mmseoma was travelling with her pregnant daughter-in-law and two grandchildren when their bus ran into a long standstill on the Lokoja-Abuja highway.

After enduring long hours in the gridlock, the travellers finally felt a brief sense of relief as traffic began to clear slowly. However, that relief soon gave way to unease when they encountered groups of cattle accompanied by herders crossing the road in the dead of night, a sight that stirred deep fear amid widespread concerns about insecurity and highway kidnappings in Nigeria.

Gridlock on Lokoja-Abuja highway
Gridlock on Lokoja-Abuja highway

“Because of the kidnapping stories we watch and hear about in Nigeria, I thought we were about to be kidnapped,” she recalled. “It was midnight. I was with children and a pregnant woman, so fear gripped me.”

Passengers and the driver later assured her that the cattle belonged to migrating herders moving their livestock due to seasonal changes. As the bus drove past without incident, her fear eased.

That calm, however, did not last.

Soon after, the vehicle ran into another gridlock, this time lasting several hours. By then, it was past 2 a.m., and passengers were asked to disembark. Soldiers and other visibly exhausted men, some of them fellow travellers who had removed their shirts because of the heat, worked through the night to manage the congestion, directing vehicles through narrow gaps to create space for movement. At various points, passengers sat or lay on the bare ground to rest while waiting for traffic to clear.

“My grandchildren needed to relieve themselves. One young woman was crying because she was menstruating and had no convenient place to change. My pregnant daughter-in-law also had to come down,” Mrs. Mmseoma said. “It was a very bad experience, and we didn’t even know what caused the gridlock.”

“If I had money, I would advise people to fly,” she added. “Nigerian roads are not safe for long-distance travel.”

Sleeping in Reception Areas

For another traveller, Jidex, the journey turned into an overnight ordeal weeks earlier, on December 22, 2025.

After leaving Abuja early in the morning, his vehicle reached Lokoja by 10 a.m. and then remained stuck under the scorching sun and heat until late evening. By nightfall, the driver advised passengers to stop at Kabba, warning that the next stretch of road would be dangerous after midnight.

“I didn’t have money for a hotel room, and everywhere was already full,” Jidex said. “I begged the hotel manager to allow me to sleep in the receptionist’s area because nobody wanted to inconvenience their room space further.”

He described the experience as humiliating and exhausting, one he never expected from a major federal highway.

Why the Gridlocks Keep Happening

Residents and youth leaders in Lokoja say the recurring gridlocks are not mysterious.

Abdulkadir Hamisu, a Lokoja resident, explained that the highway is meant to be a dual carriageway, but construction on one lane remains incomplete.

“Most times, tankers and trucks carrying coal have accidents on the road,” he said. “When that happens, they completely block one lane. Since the other lane is still under construction, movement becomes very difficult.”

According to him, during the December festive period, a fallen tanker blocked the road for several days.

“People had to abandon their vehicles and use motorcycles to pass through Lokoja to their destinations,” Hamisu said. “The gridlock lasted about eight days because the tanker was not removed on time.”

Another resident, Yahaya Muktar, identified poor road conditions around First NNPC, Felele, Nataco, and New Market as major contributors.

“Lokoja is a gateway to many states, so during Christmas, New Year, and Sallah, traffic volume becomes extremely high,” he said. “With bad roads and frequent accidents, the situation quickly turns into gridlock.”

Market days also worsen congestion, as heavy trucks dominate the highway, leaving little room for smaller vehicles and pedestrians.

Muktar further explained that protests sometimes erupt after accidents, further delaying traffic for hours.

Efforts to speak with relevant government and road management officials proved futile as of the time of filing in this report.

Environmental and Safety Costs

Beyond inconvenience, residents say the gridlocks carry environmental and public-health consequences.

Hours-long idling by trucks and vehicles increases air pollution, especially in densely populated parts of Lokoja. The dominance of fuel tankers and coal trucks also raises concerns about spills, fire risks, and harmful emissions along the corridor.

Women, children, the elderly, and pregnant travellers are often the most affected, forced to spend long hours outdoors without access to toilets, shelter, or clean water.

Known Solutions but Slow Action

Residents interviewed agree that solutions are not far-fetched.

They include completing the second lane of the highway, creating alternative routes for heavy-duty trucks, restricting tanker movement to specific hours, enforcing speed limits to reduce accidents, and improving emergency response time for clearing fallen vehicles.

“The problem is not that we don’t know what to do,” Hamisu said. “The problem is that it is not done on time.”

Travellers like Mrs. Mmseoma say every journey along the Lokoja-Abuja highway remains a gamble, one that exposes families not only to traffic delays, but to fear, environmental stress, and physical risk.

By Oyeyemi Abolade

Abia validates climate policy, prioritises disability inclusion

Michael Simire
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Abia validates climate policy, prioritises disability inclusion

The Abia State Government has validated its climate change policy, emphasising disability inclusion, during a stakeholders’ engagement organised by the Ministry of Environment.

The final review, held on Saturday, January 31, 2026, involved MDAs, local government climate desk officers, chambers of commerce, disability clusters, farmers, women groups and other stakeholders.

The draft policy was presented by a technical team from the Partnership for Agile Governance and Climate Engagements.

Alex Otti
Gov. Alex Otti of Abia State

The Commissioner for Environment, Mr. Philemon Ogbonna, said consultations since 2024 aimed to produce a climate policy meeting international standard.

Represented by Permanent Secretary, Mr. Ikechukwu Oriuwa, Ogbonna said the policy aligned with Gov. Alex Otti’s commitment to sustainable environmental initiatives.

The Commissioner for Budget and Planning, Mr. Kingsley Anosike, said a strong climate policy was essential for driving effective climate action implementation.

“Our budget is green, with climate-related activities captured across sectors.

“Our new buildings are climate-friendly, and over 9,000 street lights installed so far run on solar energy.

“There is much we can do to slow ozone depletion, even if we cannot completely stop it,” Anosike said.

The Chairman, Abia Disability Commission, Mr. David Anyaele, said participation aimed to ensure disability inclusion in the final policy.

“People with disabilities are among the most vulnerable during flooding, erosion and heat waves.

“We want the final document to reflect the governor’s directive that all policies must be disability-inclusive,” he said.

The Acting Executive Director of CCD, Mr. Godwin Unumeri, commended the ministry for developing an inclusive policy reflecting stakeholders’ concerns.

Unumeri said CCD began related research in 2024 on disability-inclusive climate adaptation and mitigation strategies in Abia.

“The policy development started around the same time as our research.

“We have consistently made inputs, and the ministry has shown willingness to capture all groups’ needs,” he said.

On PwDs’ participation, Unumeri said: “We needed them present to listen and advise us on inputs to forward to the ministry.”

By Leonard Okachie

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