The National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency, (NESREA) has sealed 13 facilities in the FCT for non- compliance to environmental regulations.
NESREA officials sealing a facility
The facilities sealed include Veritas Plastics, Almat Farms, Dayak Nigeria Limited, FIK Contracting Limited, Salis Ventilated Homes Ltd, and Peachville Estate.
Others are Net Construction Nigeria Limited, Sazak Acre Bilogue, Coppa D’alberto Ltd, Efab Properties Ltd, Homes, Phinada Mill and Skippers Electronics.
The Director- General of NESREA, Prof. Aliyu Jauro, while briefing newsmen after the exercise on Friday, March 15, 2024, in Abuja, said the facilities were sealed for various environmental crimes.
Aliyu, who was represented by the Director, Inspection and Enforcement in the agency, Mr Abdulsalam Isa, said due process was followed in closing down the facilities.
Jauro said the exercise was in line with the Presidential bond and a fall out of the Federal Ministry of Environment’s retreat in Kaduna, on Environmental Compliance Monitoring and Enforcement for 2024.
“As part of the NESREA mandate to ensure compliance as well as enforce compliance with extant Environmental Standards, Guidelines, Rules and Regulations in Nigeria.
“The Agency embarked on enforcement to seal 13 recalcitrant facilities in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, on Friday.
“NESREA sealed a total of 13 facilities in the FCT for various environmental crimes,” he said.
Jauro explained that the facilities were shut down for failing to abate environmental concerns ranging from Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), Environmental Audit (EA), Environmental Management Plans, and Environmental Permit, among others.
According to him, these environmental concerns included both the “Green” and “Brown” environment.
“A total of 10 facilities in the green sector and three in the brown sector were sealed.
“The agency had followed due process in clamping down these facilities after exhausting all relevant communications in respect of their environmental status.
“It was observed that some of the facilities earlier sealed had broken the Federal Government seals.
“However, such facilities are to face punitive measures for their actions,” he said.
The NESREA boss said the enforcement would be replicated in all the states of the federation.
“The agency frowns at the high level of non-compliance of facilities to environmental laws of the land, and will go ahead to replicate enforcement in all States of the federation,” he said.
An NGO, Building Blocks for Peace Foundation (BBFORPEACE), on Friday, March 15, 2024, commenced community engagement on promoting proper utilisation of livelihood packages to mitigate climate change in Illela Local Government Area of Sokoto State.
Flooded area in Sokoto. Photo credit: channelstv.com
Addressing the gathering, Mr Samson Shu’aibu, who represented the NGO’s Executive Director, Mr Rafi’u Lawal, said the project is working towards preventing conflicts and initiating peace building strategies on how to address climate change.
“Climate security project means to neutralise the conflict and insecurity stemming from environmental degradation, desert encroachment, degraded pastures and other impacts of climate change in Northwest.
“The project was initiated in recognition of the dynamic ways through which the impacts of climate change stimulated conflict and insecurity in the region.
“Illela in Sokoto state and Jibia in Katsina state are the focused areas of the project,” he said.
Shu’aibu noted that the project, titled “Northwest Climate Peace Hub: A Climate Security Approach to Conflict Prevention”, is being implemented with support from the UNDP Nigeria and the Norwegian Embassy in Abuja.
He identified three key activities that would be implemented during the project to include capacity-building training for youth on dialogue, mediation, reconciliation and climate action.
“In addition to establishing climate and conflict early warning, early response structures and supporting climate activists to plant and nurture trees across Illela local government area,” he noted.
According to him, the objective of the project is to support high risk communities in northwest Nigeria working with youth and women to address climate induced conflicts and adapt to climate change.
Responding on behalf of benefiting community, the District Head of Illela, Alhaji Buhari Abdulrahman, lamented the adverse effects of climate change and the insecurity bedeviling the northern Nigeria.
Abdulrahman appreciated the organisation for coming up with the initiative and expressed the willingness of his community to support the project and ensure its sustainability.
In his remark, the Sole Administrator of Illela LGA, Alhaji Sahabi Isah, who officially flagged-off the project, expressed joy to Building Blocks for Peace as well as their partners for the project and promised to sustain support to it.
In today’s world, most youths and adults daily expose themselves to Electromagnetic Radiation (EMR) produced by electrical appliances, power lines, wiring in buildings, and a lot of other technologies that are part of modern life.
Cell phone radiation
The exposure starts with the dishwasher and microwave oven in the kitchen, to the clock radio on the bedside, and the cell phone in the hand or ear, sometimes, for hours each day.
According to some researchers and medical experts, exposure to EMR is growing and becoming a serious health threat.
They are worried that a huge public health crisis is looming from one particular threat, EMR from cell phones.
Studies have shown that radiation from phones and tower-based antennas carrying signals have been linked to development of brain tumors, genetic damage and other conditions such as sleeping disorders and headaches.
Researchers warn that there are more than five billion cell phone users being exposed to the dangers of EMR.
According to researchers, the amount of time spent on the phone is irrelevant, as the danger mechanism is triggered within seconds.
Some other stakeholders in the science and wellness industry are also of the opinion that Wi-Fi, cell towers and phones are of serious danger to humans because of the radiation they emit.
The Vice-Chancellor of Covenant University, Ota, Ogun, Prof. Abiodun Adebayo, says exposure to Wi-Fi and other electromagnetic frequencies could cause DNA defragmentation in sperm cells and slow sperm motility.
Adebayo spoke at a workshop organised recently in Lagos by QNET, a wellness and lifestyle company.
According to the vice-chancellor, heat emitted from laptops can kill sperm cells outrightly.
He expresses concerns that the human body is being put under severe pressure from constant exposure to EMR from electronic devices which have become indispensable in today’s digital world.
The professor of biochemistry says studies have shown that Wi-Fi causes oxidative stress, sperm and testicular damage.
He explains that oxidative stress is an imbalance of antioxidants in the body, which can lead to cell and tissue damage.
“Most of us, especially men, are fond of putting phones in our pockets, not knowing the excessive damage it causes in the area of male fertility.
“Some of us also sleep with our phones on the bed, not knowing the amount of radiation that these devices generate and how dangerous they are to our health,” he warns.
The biochemistry professor urges maintenance of distance from Wi-Fi for the safety of humans although mobile phones and wireless technology have become an integral part of modern communication.
“It is not surprising that a greater percentage of adults experience stress, headaches, tiredness and sleeping problems due to exposure to EMR,” the vice-chancellor says.
QNET’s Product Specialist, Dr Shafi Shaik, is also of the opinion that exposure to radiation from cell phones can lead to depleted and inconsistent energy levels and cause anxiety, depression and low immunity.
He says one in every four workers suffers burnout due to exposure to wireless radiation from cell phones, 5G masts and wireless routers, among others.
While noting that humans have become increasingly dependent on wireless technologies to assist in their everyday lives, he notes that 10 years ago, the International Agency for Research on Cancer, a part of World Health Organization, designated cell phones as a possible human carcinogen.
He adds that research has shown evidence of increase in glioma and acoustic neuroma brain cancer as a result of radiation from mobile phone.
“We are energy beings. We are sensitive to energy from other living beings, the earth, the sun and from our technology.
“Research conducted by the American Psychological Association in 2019 showed that 75 per cent of adults’ report symptoms of stress, including headaches, tiredness and sleeping problems.
“Chronic stress is a silent killer because it lowers resistance to diseases, causes anxiety and depression, eating disorders, decreased mood, reduced mental and physical performance, fatigue, accelerated aging, development of unhealthy lifestyle habits and reduced sex drive,” Shaik says.
For the President of the Institute for Frontier Science, U.S., Prof. BeverlyRubik, in the early 80s people lived healthier lives free from many toxicity caused by wireless technologies, smart devices and gas emissions, among others.
“I am shocked at how the younger generation are sicker than the older generation.
“Now, you find young people having diseases that are typical of old people because they have been exposed to a large amount of EMR as a result of the smart devices they keep around them,” Rubik says.
The Director of Panoramic Synergy Enterprises Ltd., Nihinlola Adeyemi, emphasises that research has shown that these technologies pose long-term medical issues to human beings.
She adds that studies have highlighted public concerns about childhood and adult cancers.
According to Adeyemi, there is possibility that some individuals experience hypersensitivity or other symptoms in response to the technologies.
Adeyemi, like the other experts, recommends that people should minimise overall cell phone usage and distance themselves from wireless technologies to reduce exposure.
They also advise use of phone speaker or a plug-in earpiece to keep phone away from the brain and the body.They urge that cell phones should not be kept in pockets or brassiere because they emit radiations constantly even when not in active use.
The Lagos-based Centre for 21st Century Issues (C21st Issues) on Wednesday, March 13, 2024, took its pet project, the Environmental Bees Club, to Progress College located in Ojokoro Local Council Development Area of the state.
Pupils of Progress College, Ojokoro LCDA, Lagos
Simileoluwa Adewale, Facilitator of the project, in his remarks noted that it is essential to engage the pupils at a tender age so that they can be great ambassadors of environmental sustainability in their various areas even outside the school premises.
Speaking on the significance of the project, the Facilitator said: “Environmental Bees Club is aimed at raising awareness of environmental issues and ways we can solve them. These kids have an active role to play in the environment we live, hence the launching of this programme in the school.”
In his submission, Bamidele Ogundele Esq, the Supervisor of Education in Ojokoro LCDA, lauded the organisers of the project especially as it empowers the children in the area of converting waste to wealth.
“This is a very educative programme and I want to encourage the organisers to consider taking this wonderful initiatives to public schools as well so that children of those schools can also be beneficiaries of this, ” he advocated.
On his part, Jamiu Odebiyi, the Supervisor for Environment, Ojokoro LCDA, congratulated the management of Progress College for being the trail blazer of environmental advocacy among the schools in Ojokoro.
On the recent ban of styrofoam materials across Lagos State, Odebiyi said: “It is a very good move by the state government because according to findings, it takes about 1000 years before styrofoam materials can be decomposed and the flames coming out when burning it is hazardous to humans. Even at the level of our LCDA we also did some programmes sensitising people at the grassroots on the need to be on the same page with state government on the issue.”
Mr. Otuokpa Prince Joe, Principal, Progress College, in his remarks was full of praise to C21st Issues for choosing his school as the pioneer beneficiary of the programme in Ojokoro LCDA.
He said: “The lectures given by the speakers were very expository and it opened our eyes to the importance of waste recycling and waste management. I also want to appreciate Ojokoro LCDA for donating this wonderful waste bin to the school, this shows the importance they attach to maintaining cleaner and safer environment in the community.”
In what appears to be a landmark move for environmental and economic sustainability, the Centre for Climate Change and Development (CCCD) at the Alex Ekwueme Federal University has unveiled the Nigeria Deep Decarbonisation Pathways (DDP-Nigeria) project report.
Prof. Chukwumerije Okereke, Director of CCCD and DDP-Nigeria report’s coordinating lead author
The comprehensive document, the culmination of rigorous national and international collaboration, marks a significant milestone in Nigeria’s commitment to achieving net-zero emissions and spearheading sustainable development across Africa.
The DDP-Nigeria project is a national research and capacity-building initiative for the implementation of a Deep Decarbonisation Pathway (DDP) in Nigeria under the framework of the 2050 Facility funded by the French Development Agency (AFD) with the Institute for Sustainable Development and International Relations (IDDRI) as the Programme Coordinator with contributions from the International Research Centre on Environment and Development (CIRED) France. The project was done in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Environment, Nigeria, through the Department of Climate Change (DCC) and the National Council on Climate Change (NCCC).
The DDP-Nigeria project was driven by a core team of research experts, advisory board members, a national management committee and a national technical/steering committee, all in an effort to align with the country’s environmental and economic development aspiration. The DDP-Nigeria was anchored on three central pillars – mobilisation and capacity building of local teams of experts and researchers, production of Nigeria context-sensitive low-emission development strategies, and structuration of a community of practice among Nigerian and African research institutions to facilitate climate change knowledge sharing.
The project was conceived to appropriately respond to the low-emission development commitment of the Federal Government of Nigeria in many local and international forums. In developed nations, low-emission development policies are crafted based on rigorous studies of the economic sectors, which are heavily based on long-term modelling of development scenarios.
Therefore, the analytical framework used in the DDP-Nigeria project hybridised energy-macroeconomic modelling approach, with key assumptions derived from the economic sectors (power, transport, building and residential, oil and gas, industry and AFOLU – Agriculture, forestry and other land use) based on the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC), the Energy Transition Plan (ETP), FGN’s pronouncement at COP26 in Glasgow, and the vast natural resources (natural gas and renewable energy, for example). The hybrid framework provides comprehensive information to support decision-making regarding socioeconomic development paths and the evolution of sustainable (environmentally friendly) energy systems away from fossil-based ones.
The Deep Decarbonisation Pathways report is enriched with detailed analyses across key energy sectors, offering a variety of trajectories Nigeria could follow to meet its net-zero commitments. These pathways are informed by rich datasets, groundbreaking economic analyses, and insights that consider both the immediate and long-term implications of decarbonisation efforts.
The DDP-Nigeria report provides information on the quantifications of four imagined future development pathways (that is, scenarios): Business as Usual (BAU), Currently Policy Scenario (CPS), Gas Economy Scenario (GES), and Renewable Energy Scenario (RES), all of which provide alternative pathways on how Nigeria could navigate the complex energy transition terrain to achieve net zero economy up to 2060, as well as the macroeconomic implications of the imagined future development pathways.
The key findings suggest that the energy sector contributes about 54% of the current year’s (2018) national emissions (424.30 MtCO2eq), which was followed by Agriculture, Forestry, and Other Land Use (AFOLU) at about 30%. More than 50% of the emissions from the energy sector were from the oil and gas subsector, which are related to commercial production and transformation of oil and gas. Under a BAU scenario, Nigeria’s cumulative emissions will be about 1053 MtCO2eq by 2060. The drivers of the emissions are attributed to the continuous use of fossil fuels, firewood and charcoal, which have far-reaching consequences on health, biological diversity, and climate change. The results indicate that the CPS, GES, and RES, respectively, could reduce the current year emissions by 24.4%, 30.1%, and 61.5% in 2050, whereas the reduction would be 36.7%, 78.3%, and 96.8% in 2060, respectively. It shows that only the RES has the potential to achieve the government’s net zero emissions pledge at COP26.
From a purely macroeconomic point of view, over 39 years, the cumulated international financial aid (IFA) would amount to $880 billion to drive the Renewable Energy Scenario. The IFA is roughly half of the overall cost of Nigeria’s Energy Transition Plan, estimated at $1.9 trillion. In addition, the analysis shows that, with the IFA, Nigeria’s economy can be improved under the low-emission development pathways because of the positive impact on the employment rate.
In conclusion, the decarbonisation of the Nigerian economy will strongly depend on the use of natural gas as a transition fuel and the utilisation of renewable energy sources (solar, wind, hydropower, and bioenergy) and other clean energy sources (e.g., nuclear) coupled with climate-smart sectorial measures (e.g., energy efficiency and energy management measures) and greening technologies (e.g., carbon capture and sequestration).
“Today, we stand on the precipice of a transformative era,” said Prof. Chukwumerije Okereke, the Director of CCCD and the report’s coordinating lead author. “This document is not merely a plan but a blueprint for sustainable development, integrating economic growth with environmental stewardship.”
By Ogheneruona Diemuodeke and Chukwuemeka Emenekwe, Research Fellows in the DDP-Nigeria project
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), North Central Zone, has reviewed its 2023 activities and identified effective coordination as a cornerstone for successful disaster management.
Director-General, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Mr Ahmed Habib
NEMA North Central Coordinator, Mr Eugene Nyelong, said on Thursday, March 14, 2024, in Jos, Plateau State, that the review was imperative to assess the agency’s activities to know how they fared in the year that ended.
Nyelong said that the agency discovered in the course of the review the critical importance of effective coordination in preparing for and responding to disasters.
The zonal coordinator stated that disasters, whether natural or man-made, could strike at any moment, leaving devastation and chaos.
“However, through proactive planning, coordination, and collaboration, we can minimise their impact and save lives and properties.
“This workshop serves as a platform for us to come together, share knowledge and experience, and strengthen our collective capacity to manage disasters effectively.
“It is an opportunity for us to review our past operations and identify gaps for the year 2023 in disaster management.
“Effective coordination is the cornerstone of successful disaster management.
“By working together, we can ensure a more coordinated and efficient response, maximise the use of available resources and avoid duplication of efforts,” he said.
He encouraged all the stakeholders to actively participate, share their insights, and contribute to the collective effort.
According to him, collectively, the stakeholders would make a difference and ensure that the country is better prepared to face any challenge that comes its way.
The Head, Search Rescue Department, Mr Nurudeen Musa, in his paper, titled: ‘Importance of Coordination in Disaster Management’, says that coordination identifies the capacity of each stakeholder.
“It prevents duplication of roles and responsibilities, creates access to expertise and funding, rules out interagency rivalry, and makes work easy.
“It is a process that improves the effectiveness of humanitarian response by ensuring greater predictability, accountability, and partnership during disasters and emergencies,” he stated.
Some residents of Yenagoa have urged the Bayelsa State Government to dredge the Epie Creek to prevent the yearly flooding in the area.
Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State
They made the call when members of the Federated Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists visited the canals and drainage system around the Yenagoa metropolis.
The residents also noted with dismay the neglect of the Epie Creek which had led to yearly flooding challenges experienced by the residents.
According to a resident, Mr Tariebi Kalakai, the creek, an important water body in the area, has suffered from poor water quality due to indiscriminate waste disposal and other human activities.
He said that there had been calls for the canalisation of Epie Creek to prevent floods and enhance economic activities in the area, adding that such calls were not heeded.
According to him, environmentalists have also highlighted the impact of water hyacinth blockage of the creek, causing economic hardship and loss of livelihoods for residents.
“Government should dig up the creek; it will go a long way to check the yearly flooding that has affected most houses beside the creek. But most times government go on crash programme when flood comes.
“The real solution to this creek is to pile from Igbogene to Government House. Government should partner with Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and do it in phases, the people will be happy.
“Government is a continuum, if this government can’t complete it, another one will continue with it.
“The major problem of flooding in Bayelsa State is the Epie Creek which is connecting all the communities. If government can dredge it above flood level, it will help,” Kalakai said.
He said that residents have suffered due to failure of government to take care of the situation.
“The government’s inability to take proactive steps will continue to affect not only residents along the communities but even relations of top government officials.
“We decided that let’s be suffering and smiling because we are all affected, even their relatives,” Kalakai said.
He attributed the continued neglect to lack of government’s will.
“We see it as a poor state of our government despite the huge amount of monthly allocations that accrues to Bayelsa,” he said.
Another concerned resident, Mr David Igidi, also alleged that the state government was causing the sufferings of residents around the Epie Canal.
He said that residents had witnessed the presence of snakes corpses from a mortuary around the area during flooding as well as armed robbery.
“The neglect of the Epie Creek is caused by government. There is no official bridge connecting communities by the canal.
“Government should open up this creek; every day, during flooding period we pay lots of money to get to our houses.
“Snakes are all around our houses during the flood, armed robbers also have their field day here. Corpses flow from a nearby mortuary to our houses during flood.
“The whole creek is made up of plywood bridges, constructed by community efforts, and most of them are prone to accidents,” he said.
The Group Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Ltd (NNPCL), Mr Mele Kyari, on Thursday, March 14, 2024, said the Port Harcourt refinery would begin production by end of March.
R-L: GCEO NNPC Ltd, Mr. Mele Kyari; EVP Downstream, Mr. Dapo Segun; and Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Olufemi Soneye, during an interactive session organised by the Senate Ad-hoc Committee on Investigation of Turn Around Maintenance (TAM) in the nation’s refineries, held at the National Assembly, on Thursday
Kyari said this after a meeting with the Senate Ad-hoc Committee investigating the various Turn Around Maintenance (TAM) projects of Nigerian refineries.
“In the next two weeks, production will start, we did mechanical completion of Port Harcourt, that was what we said in Dec 2023.
“That means we are done with our rehabilitation work, now you are to test if this completion is okay,” he said.
On Warri refinery, Kyari said mechanical works had been completed, adding that the facility was undergoing the regulatory compliance processes.
He, however, said Kaduna would not be ready until December.
Kyari said that all the crude lines were active, adding that over 450,000 barrels had been delivered into Port Harcourt refinery.
“Yes, there may be security issues, but also government is responding to the situation.
“We are happy to work with the committee and promise not to hide anything from them,” Kyari said.
Chairman of the Ad-hoc Committee, Sen. Ifeanyi Uba (APC -Anambra), said the committee was satisfied with the information from NNPCL.
Ubah said the committee had an understanding of when to go for oversight function of the refineries.
“I believe everything is positively on track.
“We want the refineries to work, and we have gotten firm promise from NNPCL on when they will begin operation.
“The next step is to visit the refineries and assess the progress,” he said.
The Senate has dismissed media reports claiming that it will expose all “frauds associated with the contracts and management of the Turn Around Maintenance of the nation’s refineries”.
A news report last week claimed that the Senate through its Ad-hoc Committee on Investigation of Turn Around Maintenance (TAM) in the nation’s refineries has vowed to “expose all frauds associated with the contracts and management of the process.”
Chairman of the Ad-hoc Committee, Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, who expressed displeasure over the “unfortunate reports” at an interactive session on Thursday, said the National Assembly couldn’t have declared verdict on an issue that is still under investigation.
“I apologise for the reports. I was quoted out of context,” Senator Uba said at the interactive session.
The Senator further noted that the Committee’s concern was aimed at getting the nation’s refineries fully rehabilitated and returned to their respective optimal refining capacities so as to ensure nationwide petroleum products sufficiency and safeguard Nigeria’s energy security.
The Senate Ad-hoc Committee is expected to visit the three refineries in Kaduna, Warri and Port Harcourt soon for an on-the-spot assessment of work progress.
The committee will meet with Kyari on March 19, on issues relating to crude oil theft.
UTM Offshore Limited, promoters of Nigeria’s first Floating Liquefied Natural Gas (FLNG) facility, has requested the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) to invest equity in the project and to accelerate key approvals that would fast-track the project’s development.
Group Managing Director, UTM Offshore Limited, Mr. Julius Rone
The request was made on Wednesday, March 13, 2024, at the Nigerian Content Tower in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State when the Executive Secretary of NCDMB, Felix Omatsola Ogbe, hosted the management of UTM Offshore Limited led by the Group Managing Director, Mr. Julius Rone.
The target completion date of the FLNG project is 2028 and it hopes to contribute about 450,000 tonnes of liquified petroleum gas (LPG), otherwise known as cooking gas, per annum to the domestic market. This will assuage Nigeria’s average demand of about 1.5 million tonnes of LPG per annum and reduce the dependence on the importation of LPG.
Giving a brief on the company, the Group Managing Director stated that UTM is a 100 percent indigenous company, and the floating LNG project would optimise Nigeria’s stranded gas offshore, enhance energy transition, promote domestic consumption of cooking gas, and aid technology transfer, among other benefits.
He invited the NCDMB to take equity in the project, hinting that the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) and the Delta State Government were already partners on the project given its importance to Nigeria’s energy security. He described the FLNG as another confirmation of the capability of Nigerians to develop projects of world-class standards.
He announced that roadshows were being planned for Uyo and Abuja in April 2024, to showcase the Nigerian Content opportunities in the project and to engender increased participation of Nigerian oil and gas services companies.
The UTM Offshore boss thanked the Board’s Management for facilitating the project’s progress, just as he solicited greater synergy with his company on all aspects of Nigerian Content implementation and overall development of the project.
Providing further details, the Technical Manager of the FLNG, George Amara, stated that the project’s target total production is 2.72 million tonnes per annum (MTPA), with LNG accounting for 1.81 MTPA, LPG taking up 0.45 MTPA, and condensate making up 0.25 MTPA.
He commended NCDMB for approving key stages of the development, including Pre-Front-End Engineering Design (Pre-FEED), the Pre-FEED Nigerian Content Development (NCD) Plan, and the Front-End-Engineering Design (FEED) NCD Plan. Other accomplishments include the Engineering Procurement Construction NCD Plan, the training of three indigenous engineers for Pre-FEED Nigerian Content Development, and the engagement of 13 Nigerian engineers for the FEED NCD scope as well the engagement of Nigerian engineering firms for different aspects of the project.
He affirmed that UTM FLNG would utilise Nigerian fabrication yards for in-country activities, adding that an inspection of prospective yards in Lagos and Calabar had been completed.
He hinted that the project was going into the Engineering, Procurement, Construction, Installation & Commissioning (EPCIC) stage, which is very critical, hence the need to update the NCDMB and request speedy approval for the EPC NCD Plan.
In his response, the Executive Secretary, NCDMB, Felix Omatsola Ogbe, expressed delight with the progress recorded on the UTM FLNG and assured that the Board would provide all the required approvals. He urged the company’s Management to “be proactive. Let us know whatever challenge or obstacles that you encounter”, assuring that the Board would do all that is within its powers to assist the company and others showing resourcefulness.
On the request for equity investment, the Executive Secretary promised to consider the application with the Board’s management and to escalate the proposal to the Board’s Governing Council for further consideration.
He also promised that the Board would participate in the Nigerian Content roadshow, to explore opportunities for other Nigerian firms on the FLNG project.
In its drive towards ensuring environmental sustainability and a cleaner and healthier Nigeria, the National Environmental Standard and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) convened a crucial stakeholders’ consultation session on the Global Environmental Facility (GEF) Circular Solutions to Plastic Pollution in Nigeria.
Some participants at the event
Held in Lagos on Wednesday, March 13, 2024, the event was aimed at discussing best approach patterns towards reducing pollution arising from single-use plastics commonly used for packaging sachet drinking water usually referred as “pure water”.
In his opening remarks, Professor Aliyu Jauro, Director-General of NESREA, said: “The proposed GEF Circular Solutions to Plastic Pollution in Nigeria Project holds immense promises. It aims to reduce from the upstream, consumption of single-use water sachets as well as its attendant pollution from poor management while ensuring accessible and safe drinking water for our communities.
“Through a multi-faceted approach, encompassing regulatory measures, industry engagement, circular economy models, and awareness raising, we are to create a paradigm shift on best approach to reduce plastic pollution in the Food and Beverage sector.”
According to the D-G, represented by Chukwudi Nwabuisiaku, Assistant Director, NESREA, “Shiran et al., 2013 asserted that estimated 460 Metric Tonnes of plastic was produced in 2019, with 430 Metric Tonnes being virgin plastic and 29 Metric Tonnes recycled.
“As you know, Nigeria lacks solid waste management infrastructure for efficient storage, collection, transportation and management of plastic waste in environmentally sound manner or through cross-value-chain approach. Also, our attitude and perception to handling of plastic waste is very poor.
“The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is thus committed to averting threats posed by plastic pollution.
“The question we may likely ask is ‘why the concern for plastic pollution?’. The answer is not far-fetched, as it is because of the negative health and environmental impacts of plastics to public health, biodiversity and the environment. Plastics are non-degradable; hence are indestructible, blocks drainages, causing flooding, prevent oxygen absorption by aquatic lives, as well as endocrine disruption amongst others.
“As we all know, plastic pollution has become a global concern resulting in the global agreement in 2022, when the United Nations Environmental Assembly (UNEA) adopted resolution 5/14, giving mandate to UN Member States to start negotiations towards an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, including in the Marine Environment to commence negotiation for a Treaty on Plastics and its Waste Management. It is imperative that we come together as public servants to find sustainable and circular solutions to combat this menace.”
In his submission, Mr. Linus Orakwe, UNEP National Consultant, noted that the project, which is yet to kick off proper, is currently at the Project Preparatory Grant (PPG) phase, adding that the main objective of the project is “to reduce the consumption of single-use water sachets in Nigeria while ensuring accessible and safe drinking water for the people”.
Concerned by the submission of speakers, Egberi Odiri Mackson, National President, Hygienic Water Producers Association (HWAPAN), who cautioned the organisers not to compare Nigeria with countries in other climes, said: “This is Africa, Nigeria to be precise where access to potable water is from the private sector. Even in government establishments they use bottled water while the middle and lower class use sachet water. In my view, talking about the reduction of production of single-use plastics will affect everybody.
“Policy development and implementation is the way to go. Government should rather come out with a policy that will ensure clean and safe environment for all. They should think of formulating a policy that will see to the recycling of plastic materials and converted to other use like road construction, by doing this they would have created another channel for investment, employment and income generation.
“If the government puts up this policy, they can then give a mandate that, for every road construction project in the country, there should be a certain percentage of plastic.
“Also, give out grant for those planning to set up recycling plants to come up with pellets which the construction companies can use for their projects such as it’s being done in India.”
Dr. Clementina Chinwe Ativie, National President, Association for Table Water Producers of Nigeria (ATWAP), in her submission declared that what should be important to all stakeholders is how to ensure that Nigeria gets potable water and at the same time reduces the number of plastic materials in the environment.
While narrating some steps taken in the past in ensuring massive reduction of plastic wastes in the environment, the ATWAP National President, who said her association can identify the end users of both drinking the water and it’s plastic waste, said: “in 2006, we went into partnership with the Lagos State Ministry of Environment and came out with a programme known as ‘Nylon/Plastic Buy Back Consultative Forum’ in which we attached a premium to all our products, in less than two weeks the designated facilities used for the programme was overfilled with used plastic materials.
“ATWAP at the executive level has also devised means of executing community development projects where we take bulk water by mounting drum-like stainless refilling tank in strategic places, we also do one-off pack just like it’s being done in advance countries. So, people can come and buy the water. So, by the time you remove the quantity or the number that could have come into maybe 1000 litres, in the process you know how many sachets that could have gone to the environment” she maintained.
Dr. Leslie Adogame, Executive Director of Sustainable Research and Action for Environmental Development (SRADev Nigeria), in his submission disclosed that plastic technology globally has come to stay.
He said: “There is no advocate anywhere in the world that will support a complete ban on plastics, but I think the concern for us who are members of civil societies, our interest is to support sustainable development.”
Dr. Adogame, whose outfit is a major advocate for plastic-free future for the world, added: “We are very much aware of the socio-economic impact of what plastic pollution can cause, so we try as much as possible to advocate for best practices.
“There are some categories of plastic even in the global negotiation that are problematic but if we can find solution, we can find alternatives and find other strategies which don’t turn out to be problem to the environment.”
The stakeholders’ consultative session, which was organised by NESREA in partnership with UNEP and funded by GEF, had numerous members of civil society organisations in attendance such as Nigeria National Plastic Action Partnership, and Food and Beverages Recycling Alliance (FBRA), among others.
