The South African People’s Tribunal on AgroToxins will put the government on trial in the court of public opinion for gross dereliction of its constitutional duties to protect the right to life.
South African Human Rights Commissioner, Philile Ntuli, one of the three women to adjudicate the Tribunal
Farm workers and community members will share arrowing testimonies, as they attest to how the government has persistently, decade after decade, failed to protect them and their families, especially children living in low-resource communities in both urban and rural areas, from the catastrophic consequence of exposure to highly hazardous pesticides (HHPs).
These HHPs include the notorious pesticide, Terbufos, implicated in the deaths of primary school children at the end of 2024.
The Tribunal will be adjudicated by a panel of three influential South African women who have remarkable track records in ensuring justice for the voiceless – Judge Navi Pillay, Dr Sophia Kisting-Cairncross, and Human Rights Commissioner, Philile Ntuli.
It takes place from March 21 to 23, 2025, in the heartland of white hegemony in the Western Cape and the export agriculture sector – Stellenbosch, to break the isolation and invisibility of farm workers and expose the inhumane and slave-like working and living conditions they endure.
South Africa is the largest consumer of agrotoxins in Africa, with over 9,000 toxic chemical compounds registered for use in our chemically based industrial farming, including approximately 192 HHPs – many of which are banned in the European Union.
People’s Tribunal coordinator, Haidee Swanby, said: “We see a complete regulatory breakdown and a ‘free-for-all’ for the agrochemical industrial complex that is symptomatic of a dismantled and dysfunctional state. It also links back to a long history of extraction and colonisation in South Africa, resulting in gross human rights violations and environmental calamity.”
Farm workers will give testimony at the Tribunal of their lived experience of working in the sacrifice zone of South Africa’s deeply inequitable and toxic wine and fruit farming systems.
The General Secretary of the Commercial, Stevedoring, Agriculture and Allied Workers Union (CSAAWU) explains that “many farm workers are forced to work with poisons that have been banned in Europe and many countries in the SADC (Southern African Development Community) region. It is difficult to live on our wages or access good health care. If we get ill then we must hear it’s because of alcohol and drugs. When we become too ill to work, we can just be evicted from farms where we have been working and living all our lives”.
The judges will also hear testimonies from community members who bore the brunt of the devastation that was unleashed when a chemical warehouse was torched in Cornubia City in KwaZulu-Natal in 2021. This has led to the loss of life, chronic illness, loss of livelihoods, and widespread environmental degradation and pollution. Abject regulatory failure was at the heart of this disaster.
Similarly, regulatory failure routinely results in toxins that are restricted for agricultural use in South Africa finding their way into domestic urban settings when people buy ‘street pesticides’ to deal with pest infestations resulting from chronic lack of service delivery and food systems collapse. Children are most at risk of death, and acute and chronic poisoning from these street pesticides. The Tribunal will hear both community and expert testimonies on these issues.
Expert testimonies will be given by Mr. Wisdom Basera, Prof Leslie London, Prof Rajen Naidoo, Prof Saloshni Naidoo, Prof Andrea Rother, Dr Cindy Stephen, Ms. Paola Vigletti, and Rico Euripidou.
South African People’s Tribunal on AgroToxins submits: “As our turbulent world is plunged into greater chaos, there is also great momentum and impetus amongst us in our collective struggles to reclaim our sovereignty and dignity. For many years, farm worker organisations, unions, civil society, and academics have been calling on the government to phase out HHPs and update our antiquated regulatory framework.
“This has been done through sharing current science and research, commenting on policy, letters of demand, objections, petitions, protests, and campaigns. Having reached exhaustion of remedies, we decided to host the Tribunal as part of our ongoing and collective solidarity struggles.”
In Tunga Mallam, a small town in Niger State, Nigeria, access to clean water once shaped daily life. For decades, the local water scheme, built in 1984, provided a reliable source of drinking and household water. But when it broke down, everything changed.
Gov. Mohammed Umar Bago of Niger State
Saliu Babangida, the district head, remembers the shift all too well: “Due to the poor state of the water scheme, most people in town rely heavily on hand-dug wells and local streams, which are not only unsafe but also difficult to access,” he explains.
The burden fell heaviest on women and children, who walked nearly two hours each day – covering over three miles – just to fetch water.
Tunga Mallam was not alone. In nearby towns like Tegina, Beji, Kataeregi, Gwada, and Dokko, families faced the same struggle. With water supplies dwindling, they had to rely on costly informal vendors or risk their health drinking from contaminated sources.
That changed when UN-Habitat, in partnership with the Government of the Republic of Korea and the Government of Niger State, stepped in. Their project rehabilitated the Tunga Mallam Water Scheme and five others, restoring clean water access for over 250,000 people.
For Amina Mohammed, a mother of five, the difference is life-changing: “Before, I used to spend N1000 ($0.60) every day to buy water from informal vendors,” she says. “It was hard on my family. Now that our water scheme has been repaired by UN-Habitat, I only spend N250 ($0.15) daily, and the water is safe for my children.”
The project was more than just a quick fix. It involved restoring 10 existing boreholes, drilling two new ones, installing 13 submersible pumps with auto-starting panels, repairing broken pipes, and overhauling the entire pumping system. The impact was immediate.
Akilu Kuta, Permanent Secretary of the Niger State Ministry of Water Resources and Dams Development, sees the transformation in numbers.
“Before UN-Habitat stepped in, only 7.5 per cent of the state’s water schemes were operational. Today, we’ve not only improved access to clean water but also significantly increased our production capacity by over 2 million litres daily,” he says.
The intervention was guided by the Niger State Sub-National Urban Policy, developed with support from UN-Habitat and the Government of the Republic of Korea. It identified critical areas in need of investment, and rehabilitating these water schemes became a top priority.
For communities like Tunga Mallam, the return of clean water means a return to normal life, where families can afford basic needs without sacrificing a large part of their income or time on water.
The Nasarawa State House of Assembly has reiterated its commitment to developing robust mining laws that will foster a safe and hazard-free environment in the state.
Nasarawa State House of Assembly, Lafia
Mr. Mohammed Omadefu, Chairman of the House Committee on Environment and Natural Resources, made this statement on Wednesday, March 19, 2025.
He was speaking during a meeting with the Managing Director of Multiverse Mining and Exploration PLC, Dr Ayo Oluwasusi, and his team in Lafia.
Multiverse Mining and Exploration PLC is engaged in the mining of Lead and Zinc in Abuni, Awe LGA.
Omadefu explained that the committee had summoned the Managing Director to gather information about the company’s operations in the area.
He noted that the meeting followed their visit to the mining site in Abuni in 2024, where they were not adequately briefed by those on the ground.
“Today, the MD of the company was able to provide us with the necessary information regarding the Community Development Agreements (CDAs), among other matters.
“He confirmed that there have been improvements in infrastructure as outlined in the CDAs, and the company is nearing completion of the youth centre construction in the area,” Omadefu said.
He added that the committee would conduct a site visit to verify the improvements in infrastructure and other facilities as claimed by the company.
Omadefu also emphasised the committee’s commitment to ensuring the sustainable development of the mining sector in the state.
In response, Dr Ayo Oluwasusi, Managing Director of Multiverse Mining and Exploration PLC, thanked the committee for their proactive efforts in promoting the development of the mining sector in Nasarawa.
“We follow a standard policy for land reclamation in line with international best practices.
“We have improved our Community Development Agreements (CDAs) by 80 per cent and now operate in line with global standards for mining exploration,” he stated.
The MD further assured that the company had been paying its royalties regularly and was fully committed to adhering to all relevant laws and regulations while continuing its work on the CDAs.
The Akwa Ibom State Coordinator of Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Mr. Ikechukwu Eseka, says decanting of Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG) in the state is no longer acceptable.
Chief Executive Officer of NMDPRA, Mr. Farouk Ahmed
Eseka stated this at a stakeholder meeting in NMDPRA Field Office on Wednesday, March 19, 2025, in Eket.
He said the meeting was a follow up on the sealing of places used for decanting purposes in Uyo by the NMDPRA the previous week.
He also said that the Authority was doing everything possible to stop the decanting of LPG by such operators due to its unsafe nature.
Decanting of LPG entails transferring gas from one cylinder or tank to another, often during refilling or maintenance. It requires careful handling and adherence to safety guidelines.
“LPG cylinder-to-cylinder rebottling, refilling and decanting is criminal and thus prohibited,” Eseka said.
He said that retailer’s outlets should not be located at motor parks mechanic workshops, blacksmiths or welder’s workshops, bar, restaurants and other similar places that handle flammable materials.
The Akwa Ibom NMDPRA coordinator explained that exchange of gas cylinders was what should be the situation and those who engage in such must be duly licensed.
An enlightenment session was also carried out by the Eket Office to all those present at the meeting.
He stressed that retail outlet shops should not be any residential buildings and must be at least 10 meters away from the road and 15 meters minimum away from any source of ignition.
He also warned that retail outlets should not be built under high tension wire in the state.
Eseka said that the layout of the cylinders should be such as to facilitate quick removal of the cylinders in case of emergency.
He advised the union to engage with the Akwa Ibom Government for assistance under the State’s SME scheme.
The State Chairman of Akwa Ibom Gas Retailers Union, Mr. Itoro Urom, said that the union had held several meetings with members to comply with the rules and regulation of gas retailers but to no avail.
The meeting was attended by staff of the Department of State Service (DSS), Eket Office, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), The Federal Fire Service and the Akwa Ibom Gas Retailers Union.
Water, as a critical resource for human survival, is facing a great distress engendered by climate change, human abuse, among others.
Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev
In Nigeria and across the world, water is fundamental for economic growth, agriculture and food security, economic development, industrial growth, public Health, national security and environmental wellbeing.
Over the years, concerns over the future of potable water have attracted insightful projections from world leaders.
Though water constitutes over 71 per cent of the earth surface, some of the predictions from former UN Secretary Generals are foreboding.
“The next war in the Middle East will be fought over water, not politics,” Boutros Boutros-Ghali, the sixth Secretary-General UN(1992 to 1996), said.
“Fierce competition for fresh water may well become a source of conflict and wars in the future,” Kofi Annan, the 7th Secretary-General of the UN(1997 to 2006), said.
“The consequences for humanity are grave. Water scarcity threatens economic and social gains and is a potent fuel for wars and conflict,” Ban Ki Moon, the 7th Secretary-General of the UN( 2007 to 2016), said.
With vast water resources, including rivers, lakes and underground aquifers, Nigeria has an estimated total capacity of 359 billion cubic metres.
In spite of this natural abundance, millions of Nigerians still lack access to clean and safe water.
Inadequate infrastructure, weak regulations and rapid population growth have led to an unreliable and uneven water supply, forcing both urban and rural communities to struggle with daily shortages.
The crisis is worsening as public water systems fail to meet rising demand, leaving households and businesses increasingly reliant on alternative sources.
In Abuja, the nation’s capital, the sound of drilling machines has become a familiar part of daily life.
Residents, whether in wealthy neighbourhoods or informal settlements, are turning to boreholes as their primary water supply.
While this provides a temporary solution, environmental experts warn that the unchecked drilling of boreholes is depleting underground water reserves, threatening long-term water security.
According to a 2024 UNICEF report, approximately 70 million Nigerians lack access to safe drinking water.
In the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), where the Water Board is responsible for public water supply, many households have resorted to private boreholes due to an unreliable distribution network.
However, weak regulatory enforcement has led to indiscriminate drilling, often carried out without proper oversight.
This raises serious concerns about sustainability, water quality and the long-term availability of groundwater.
Albeit Nigeria’s abundant rivers and rainfall, poor water management has left many communities struggling to access clean water.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that each person requires at least 50 litres of water per day for drinking, cooking and sanitation.
Yet, in many Nigerian cities, even half of this amount is difficult to obtain.
In rural areas, women and children frequently walk long distances to fetch water, further revealing the severity of the crisis.
In Lagos for instance, a city surrounded by water yet plagued by shortages, the bottled water industry is worth billions of naira.
Constitutionally, the responsibility for providing water has been shared among federal, state and local governments, with private entities also playing a role.
The FCT Water Board insists that it has intensified efforts to enhance water supply in Abuja through increased funding, infrastructure projects, and improved revenue collection strategies.
According to FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, the administration has allocated ₦9 billion to the water sector in the 2024 budget, with ₦2.2 billion designated for water treatment chemicals and ₦7.4 billion for operational expenses.
He said that the funds would help address longstanding water challenges in the capital.
The Director of the FCT Water Board, Mr. Tauheed Amusan, said the ongoing Greater Abuja Water Project aimed to extend potable water to 26 districts, including Gwarinpa 1 and 2.
He explained that the project was a crucial step towards achieving universal access to clean water in Abuja.
To address inefficiencies in water billing and consumption, the board insists that it is exploring public-private partnerships to introduce prepaid water meters.
Policy watchers say recent reforms have already increased the board’s monthly revenue from ₦178 million to over ₦300 million.
In rural communities, efforts to improve water access are also underway with 192 water supply schemes being constructed.
As of March 19, 2025, the FCT Administration has not publicly released its specific budget details for the 2025 fiscal year.
However, the Federal Government has approved a national budget totaling ₦54.99 trillion (approximately $36.6 billion) for 2025, which includes allocations for various sectors and regions, including the FCT.
It may be recalled that Nigeria established the National Water Policy (NWP) to ensure the proper management of its water resources.
The policy advocates for integrated water resource management to minimise waste and ensure universal access to clean water.
It also highlights the need for collaboration between the government, private sector, and local communities.
One of the key objectives of the NWP is to regulate groundwater extraction, particularly the drilling of boreholes.
However, enforcement remains weak.
In estates such as NAF Valley Estate in Abuja, nearly every household has its own borehole, placing immense pressure on underground water reserves.
Dr Magnus Ezeh, a resident, expressed his frustration over the lack of piped water.
“What do you expect us to do? Water is essential for survival and we cannot live here without it; since there is no piped water, everyone has to find an alternative,’’ he said.
Available data indicates that, in comparison, other countries have successfully tackled similar challenges.
In India and Kenya, unregulated borehole drilling led to severe water shortages.
In response, Kenya implemented strict borehole licensing laws and invested in large-scale water projects.
Ezeh said Nigeria could learn from such examples by enforcing stronger regulations and adopting more sustainable groundwater management strategies.
Beyond boreholes, many Nigerians rely on rivers, streams and rainwater for their daily water needs.
Similarly, in an estate in the Kubwa axis, Mrs. Amina Yusuf highlighted the inconsistency of public water supply as a major reason for drilling her own borehole.
“We used to rely on the public water system, but it became too unreliable; sometimes, we would go weeks without a single drop. Drilling a borehole was the only way to ensure my family has constant access to water,’’ she said.
Regrettably, these sources are frequently contaminated by industrial waste, inadequate sanitation and oil spills, making them unsafe for consumption.
UNICEF reports that approximately 33 per cent of Nigeria’s water sources are polluted, contributing to the spread of diseases such as cholera and typhoid.
A major challenge in addressing the crisis is the absence of clear guidelines on borehole drilling.
The NWP stipulates that boreholes should only be installed where public water supply is unavailable and must be strictly regulated.
Yet, in practice, this policy is rarely enforced.
The Borehole Drillers Association of Nigeria (BODAN) has expressed concerns over this issue.
Its president, Francis Uzoma, acknowledges the need for water access but warns against the dangers of unregulated drilling:
“We understand that people need water, but drilling boreholes everywhere without proper oversight is not the answer.
“The government must implement a structured system where boreholes are permitted only in areas that genuinely require them, with strict monitoring to safeguard underground water levels.’’
Experts argue that instead of relying on unchecked borehole drilling, the government should prioritise investment in modern water infrastructure.
The Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation has proposed a total budget of ₦211.79 billion for 2025, focusing on priority areas such as water supply, sanitation, and irrigation projects.
The Minister, Prof. Joseph Utsev, announced this when he presented the 2025 budget proposal to the Senate Committee recently.
He reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to water and sanitation projects, agriculture, job creation, and disaster mitigation.
Utsev revealed that 24.19 per cent of the 2024 capital funds had been utilised for ongoing dam construction, irrigation and solar-powered water schemes.
According to the World Bank, only about 30 per cent of Nigeria’s urban population receives water from public utilities, leaving the majority reliant on private sources.
All in all, stakeholders say with Nigeria’s population projected to reach 400 million by 2050, the demand for water will only intensify.
They say subsequent water policies should place emphasis on effective water management, balanced use of water, access to clean water and long-term water security.
A new analysis by Climate Central has revealed that billions of people worldwide faced intensified heat conditions driven by fossil fuel emissions between December 2024 and February 2025.
UK issued a high-level alert following a heatwave
The report highlights how human-induced climate change, primarily fueled by burning coal, oil, and methane gas, has significantly raised global temperatures and increased the frequency of extreme heat events over the past three months.
The study, which utilises Climate Central’s Climate Shift Index (CSI), quantifies the impact of climate change on global temperatures during the period under review. The findings paint a stark picture of how climate change is already affecting the health and well-being of populations worldwide.
According to the report, at least one in five people globally experienced the influence of climate change on temperatures every day during the three months. Due to climate change, nearly 394 million people were exposed to 30 or more days of heat levels deemed risky. Alarmingly, 74% of these individuals reside in Africa. Risky heat days are temperatures exceeding 90% of local historical temperature records from 1991 to 2020.
The analysis further revealed that in half of the 220 countries studied, the average person experienced temperatures strongly influenced by climate change for at least 30 days. This widespread exposure underscores the urgent need for global action to mitigate climate change and protect vulnerable populations.
Urban centres are particularly at risk, with residents in 287 cities worldwide experiencing at least a month of elevated temperatures attributed to climate change. These cities, often characterised by dense populations and limited green spaces, face heightened health risks from prolonged heat exposure.
The Nigerian Meteorological Agency warns residents in 19 states, the South-East, and coastal areas of impending heat stress.
The states that would be mainly affected, according to the agency, are north-central and eastern states; Kebbi, Niger, Kwara, Oyo, Kogi, Nasarawa, Benue, Enugu, Anambra, Abia, Ebonyi, Cross River, and FCT.
Other vulnerable regions are the Southwest coastal areas, Taraba, Adamawa, Plateau, Kaduna, Zamfara, and Sokoto.
The agency’s heat stress warning shows that rising temperatures and high humidity levels over the next three to four days may cause thermal discomfort across several regions.
The agency warned that potential health risks include fatigue, irritability, reduced focus, impaired motor skills, and decreased productivity. It urged residents in affected regions to take safety precautions.
In addition to the report, Climate Central has launched an interactive tool designed to help journalists and researchers visualise the data. The tool allows users to explore climate trends for specific regions and gain insights into broader global patterns.
Journalists, policymakers, and stakeholders are encouraged to use the tool to better understand the regional implications of climate change and to drive informed discussions on mitigation strategies.
Nigeria is facing a critical funding shortfall in its efforts to combat tuberculosis (TB), with an estimated 80,000 expected TB patients in 2024 still unidentifiable or untreated.
Prof. Mohammed Ali Pate, Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare
Stakeholders raised this concern on Tuesday, March 18, 2025m at a pre-World TB Day press briefing in Abuja.
Mr. Tajudeen Ibrahim, Country Coordinating Mechanism, Global Fund, Executive Secretary, disclosed that Nigeria required $404 million to effectively deliver TB treatment and services in 2025.
Ibrahim cautioned that the country’s TB drug supply for 2025 was already under pressure, as medications allocated for 2025 had been used to meet the treatment demands for 2024.
He further highlighted a $5 million funding gap caused by a recent U.S. government executive order, which impacted active case-finding efforts in 18 states between January and March.
Ibrahim also noted that 24 per cent of Nigeria’s TB funding comes from external sources, with the U.S. contributing $22 million.
He expressed concern that if funding issues persisted, the country’s TB detection and treatment efforts would suffer.
Dr Urhioke Ochuko, Head of Childhood Tuberculosis at the National Tuberculosis, Buruli Ulcer, and Leprosy Control Programme (NTBLCP), revealed that, in spite of intensified efforts, 80,000 individuals in need of TB treatment in 2024 were neither diagnosed nor treated.
This has resulted in a 17 per cent treatment gap.
He explained that although 439,000 individuals were identified with TB, only 418,000 received treatment, leaving a significant number without care.
Ochuko also disclosed that treating one TB patient costs approximately $600, while drug-resistant TB treatment costs $3,000.
“Universal diagnosis and treatment for all TB patients remain our goal, but financial constraints and systemic challenges hinder progress,” he stated.
He called for increased funding, expanded diagnostic services, and stronger community-based interventions to close the treatment gap.
Dr Adesigbin Clement Olufemi, Head of the Programmatic Management of Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis (PMDT), NTBLCP, emphasised the importance of community-driven approaches in TB detection and treatment.
“The ‘whole-of-society approach’ ensures that communities actively monitor, track, and report TB cases, rather than relying solely on government health institutions.”
Olufemi highlighted the positive impact of deploying more than 333 diagnostic tools, which had increased case detection by 40 per cent.
Dr Enang Oyama, Chair of the 2025 World TB Day Planning Committee, shared progress in TB treatment, particularly the shortened duration of drug-resistant TB treatment and the shift to all-oral regimens, eliminating painful injections.
He also stressed the importance of the BCG vaccine, noting that it protects children from severe TB.
While acknowledging its limitations, he noted that research was ongoing to develop a TB vaccine for adults, similar to advances seen with malaria vaccines.
Dr Olayemi Olupitan, Project Director of Global Fund (Grant Cycle), Institute of Human Virology Nigeria, called for sustained public awareness through social media and investigative journalism to combat misinformation and push for increased funding.
Olupitan urged journalists to become TB champions, actively engaging with partners and policymakers to ensure funding transparency, expanded case-finding efforts, and improved TB services across Nigeria.
Saint Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister, Terrence Drew, and Barbados Prime Minister, Mia Mottley, kicked off the 2025 Green Climate Fund (GCF) Regional Dialogue with the Caribbean.
GCF Executive Director, Mafalda Duarte
Hosted by Saint Kitts and Nevis, the four-day dialogue brought together over 200 stakeholders, comprising governments, National Designated Authorities, Accredited Entities, and other partners from the Caribbean region to discuss climate plans and how to access GCF financing.
“Our islands face escalating challenges from climate change, including rising sea levels, more intense hurricanes, and increased drought. The theme of this gathering is timely, which is ‘Towards a resilient Caribbean: Advancing regional solutions for climate action, sustainable growth and inclusive development’,” said Terrence Drew, Prime Minister of Saint Kitts and Nevis.
“The Caribbean region has always set its sights higher than its geographical limitations. We are small enough to be the best model of sustainability that the world has to offer,” Drew added.
Prime Minister Drew highlighted the vast potential of renewable energy generation in the region for domestic use as well as for export. He underscored the importance of using the dialogue to resolve the barriers that are preventing the region from matching its ambition for urgent action needed on the ground.
“We have the capacity to move much more quickly, but we need to move together as a region,” said Mia Mottley, Prime Minister of Barbados. “You cannot separate people and planet. I believe we can sustain the stability and build a movement for prosperity for Caribbean people while being good to the planet.”
“GCF has been one of your strongest supporters. We are a partner that has one of the greatest potentials to work together with you and public and private sector entities to achieve the greatest impact,” said Mafalda Duarte, GCF Executive Director.
Imploring the attendees of the dialogue to “use GCF to achieve the greatest potential”, Duarte talked about GCF having the largest envelope of grant resources – under its Readiness and Preparatory Support Programme – to support technical assistance and institutional capacity building.
“GCF is more than just a financing partner. They are committed to ensuring that we address our climate-related challenges in a sustainable, inclusive, and gender-responsive manner,” said Drew. “Dealing with climate change is not opposed to economic growth,” he underscored.
The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has raised concerns over the alleged violation of local content laws by Sterling Oil Exploration and Production Company in Nigeria.
Mr. Festus Osifo, PENGASSAN’s President
At a news conference on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, in Abuja, Mr. Festus Osifo, PENGASSAN’s President, accused the company of employing thousands of foreign workers, particularly Indians, for jobs meant for Nigerians.
The association described the development as a blatant disregard for the nation’s regulations and called the Federal Government to take immediate action.
Osifo threatened national strike if nothing was done about it.
He said that Sterling Oil had continuously flouted Nigeria’s labour and expatriated laws by engaging foreign workers in middle- and low-level positions.
“We have observed a pattern where Sterling Oil brings in expatriates to fill jobs that Nigerians are qualified for. Every Tuesday, between 200 and 500 Indian workers arrive in Nigeria, replacing others on time off.
“These include welders, vulcanisers, gatekeepers, cooks, and even communication personnel,” he said.
He further alleged that Sterling Oil had failed to comply with the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) Act, which mandates that only Nigerians be employed in junior and mid-level positions.
“Section 35 of the NCDMB Act clearly states that all operators in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry must employ only Nigerians in junior and middle-level roles.
“However, Sterling Oil has continuously violated this law, with its entire management structure dominated by Indian expatriates,” he added.
He also accused the company of union suppression, stating that 18 workers were allegedly dismissed for demanding better working conditions and questioning their collective bargaining agreement.
“The sacked workers were merely advocating for their welfare, training, and career growth, yet they were unjustly dismissed.
“Additionally, Sterling Oil has prevented a section of its workforce from unionising under the guise of manpower contracts,” the union leader alleged.
The association further called on the Ministry of Interior to clarify its role in issuing expatriate quotas to Sterling Oil, alleging that the ministry had overstepped its legal mandate.
“The NCDMB has distanced itself from granting expatriate quotas to Sterling, stating that only five approvals were given between 2017 and 2023. However, our findings suggest that the Ministry of Interior has been issuing these quotas unlawfully,” he said.
PENGASSAN urged the Federal Government and relevant authorities to investigate the company’s operations, ensure compliance with Nigerian labour laws, and address the alleged irregularities in expatriate quota approvals.
“The time to act is now. Nigeria’s oil industry must not be short-changed, and we will continue to push for justice.
“We demand that all Indian workers should go, and Sterling must bring back 18 Nigerians who were sacked because they were pioneering this struggle in 2018, they must be brought back immediately.
“All manpower contracts that they have denied from joining the union, first, they must be staffed, and secondly, they must be allowed to join the union. Then all welfare issues that are bothering our members in Sterling must be clearly addressed,” he said.
The Federal Government of Nigeria, in partnership with Sustainable Research and Action for Environmental Development (SRADeV), is making strides to upgrade the lead-acid battery recycling sector across Africa.
Lead acid battery recycling
This was highlighted on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, during the opening of a two-day International Conference on Upgrading the Lead-Acid Battery Recycling Sector in Abuja, Nigeria.
The event was organised by the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), in collaboration with SRADeV, and supported by international partners.
At the conference, Malam Balarabe Lawal, the Minister of Environment, emphasised the significance of improving the management of used lead-acid batteries (ULABs) and promoting sound recycling policies in Nigeria and across Africa.
He pointed out the dangers of improper disposal and unsafe recycling of ULABs, highlighting that the practices were leading to hazardous environmental and health risks, including contamination of soil, water, and air.
These risks, according to Lawal, affect human health, particularly children and vulnerable populations, due to exposure to harmful substances like lead, cadmium, and sulphuric acid.
Lawal urged stakeholders to invest in formal recycling and battery waste management systems, which would contribute to a more sustainable and safe future for battery recycling.
Dr Innocent Barikor, the Director-General of NESREA, spoke about the importance of the conference as an opportunity to discuss the future of lead-acid battery recycling in Nigeria and the broader African context.
He noted that lead-acid batteries were essential for sectors like telecommunications, energy storage, and transportation, but their improper handling could lead to severe environmental damage and health issues.
Rep. Terseer Ugbor, Deputy Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Environment, highlighted the value of recycling in transforming waste into wealth.
Additionally, the German Ambassador to Nigeria, Mrs. Annett Gunther, emphasised Germany’s continued support for Nigeria in implementing proper battery control regulations.
Finally, Mrs. Miranda Amachree from the Alliance for Responsible Battery Recycling (ARBR) assured that the organisation would continue collaborating with stakeholders to improve environmental health and safety in the recycling sector.
