Two Gauteng-based companies partially settled environmental fines in South Africa by supplying thousands of trees and shrubs to provincial authorities, the Gauteng Department of Environment announced.
Some of the Gauteng Department of Environment (GDEnv) environmental compliance and legal team members who worked tireless to prosecute the two companies for the environmental crimes they committed
The companies paid the remaining portions of their fines in cash, totaling R400,000 ($21,900).
One company, fined R625,000 for unlawful recycling, provided 2,000 Tulbaghia Violaecia shrubs and 300 protective suits for workers in the province’s Clean and Green Campaign.
It paid the remaining R150,000 in cash.
The second company, which was fined R2 million for illegal housing development, contributed 200 Rhus Pyroides trees and agreed to hire four residents during construction.
It paid R250,000 in cash to settle its obligation.
“We would like to thank you for adhering to our call to make a difference in the environment,” said Shyla Peters, Member of the department’s executive council, during a handover ceremony at its Kempton Park facility.
The trees will support the 1 Million Trees Programme, which aligns with Premier Panyaza Lesufi’s emphasis on tree planting during his February State of the Province Address.
Both first-time offenders approached authorities voluntarily. The monetary portions of their fines were directed to the Gauteng Department of Treasury.
Department officials indicated non-compliance with the stipulated penalties would result in “harsh penalties.”
The programme aims to balance environmental conservation with economic development while supporting local cleanup efforts.
Professionals and advocates, including members of the media and other important players in the environmental community have applauded the House of Representatives Committee on Environment for its historic success in seeing the Environmental Social and Health Impact Assessment (ESHIA) Bill through its first reading before the floor of the House.
L-R: Nicholas Adeniyi, the climate change project officer at CJID; Etta Michael Bisong, Abuja Bureau Chief (ABC), EnviroNews; Terseer Ugbor, Deputy Chairman of the House Committee on Environment; Dr. Michael Terngwa David, Executive Director of GIFSEP; and Oxfam’s Project Coordinator for Climate Justice in Nigeria, Kenneth Akpan, during the courtesy visit to the National Assembly on Tuesday, March 11, 2025
According to the group that convened on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja, the capital of Nigeria, the introduction of the bill represents a significant step toward ensuring that development in the country is sustainable, inclusive, and responsible.
It is critical to understand that economic development should not be at the expense of environmental degradation or social displacement. Instead, the environmental rights activists think that measures that support sustainability, safeguard marginalised populations, and improve public health should direct development.
Everyone who spoke at the event said they hope that when the bill becomes law, it will provide tighter mechanisms for assessing how projects harm local ecosystems and communities and safeguard both people and nature from the adverse effects of unchecked development.
Beginning of the journey
Concerned about the outdated framework of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Act of 1992, a group of environmental rights advocates, comprising the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID), OXFAM in Nigeria, and the Global Initiative for Food Security and Ecosystem Preservation (GIFSEP), organised a high-level national dialogue in Abuja on Thursday, December 5, 2024, to discuss the EIA Act, specifically how to help it reflect modern ecological and socioeconomic realities.
In addition to its obsolete structure, the various stakeholders identified other flaws in the Act that the proposed legislative framework must address, such as weak enforcement mechanisms, a lack of meaningful local participation in environmental decision-making processes, and the failure to address new issues like biodiversity loss and climate change.
Stakeholders’ perspectives on the passage of the bill
“We are super excited; it is big history, and we felt that a milestone like this should not be quiet. That Nigerians should know about it,” Dr. Michael Terngwa David, Executive Director of GIFSEP, said in his remarks at the occasion.
In summarising the purpose of the visit, David, the delegation’s leader, hinted that it was to congratulate the committee on a job well done and reaffirm their commitment to supporting the discourse that began since last year.
According to him, 1992 was 33 years ago, and a lot has happened since then. Considering this, it is undeniable that the Act is no longer appropriate, which is why the ESHIA bill’s first hearing passage is seen as a landmark victory for the environment.
While the adoption of thes bill is encouraging, he noted that his team expects to begin legislative advocacy for it so that, once implemented, it would serve as a legal framework and ensure that all projects in Nigeria are thoroughly examined to mitigate risks and maximise benefits.
“We commend your work, we see what you are doing, and we appreciate it,” the GIFSEP boss stated with a smile on his face, as he went on to explain that it is an achievement that deserves international recognition, which he believes will come as time goes on.
Similarly, Oxfam’s Project Coordinator for Climate Justice in Nigeria, Kenneth Akpan, said the bill’s passage was a significant accomplishment for his organisation, which places a high value on justice, equity, fairness, and inclusivity in all that it does.
In his opinion, the bill could not have arrived at a better moment; in fact, it seems as though it has been there since yesterday. This is because, when considering the actual situation in Nigeria, the bill tackles the underlying causes of numerous problems that the country has, particularly with regard to project execution.
As Nigeria grapples with the issue of how to close the gaps and loopholes in the EIA Act, Akpan, like the previous speaker, believes that this process necessitates rigorous advocacy, engaging people, and inclusiveness to ensure that every stakeholder is involved so that they can take ownership and begin to act on behalf of the government.
“So for us, it is a big feat, and we are going to do everything from our side to support this very timely bill and see that it comes to a very good conclusion,” he asserts, praising the committee for making this very significant occasion, as well as the media for also becoming involved in the campaign.
“It is very important, because taking the message out is also key to bringing it into light,” he added.
Nicholas Adeniyi, the climate change project officer at the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID), hailed the committee members for their dedication since the campaign to review the Act began.
He said that the bill establishes the groundwork for environmental audit and preservation, particularly the newly incorporated health aspect, which he admitted would aid in addressing various socioeconomic challenges across the country.
“We are very proud of the work that you are doing, and at CJID, we are committed to seeing this through, he said.
As he welcomed the delegation on behalf of the committee, Terseer Ugbor, Deputy Chairman of the House Committee on Environment, highlighted that the goal of the bill is to broaden the Act beyond environmental impact assessment to include social and health impacts.
He said this is significant since Nigeria is looking into new mining and renewable energy sectors to boost its economy, which has a significant environmental impact on the host communities and their residents.
For instance, he brought attention to the type of contamination that occurs in the mining industry.
Therefore, while Nigeria’s mining industry continues to grow and contribute to the country’s economy, Ugbor stated that it is imperative to consider the effects of mining on the local communities where these operations are happening.
The lawmaker hinted that the committee is taking this action to avoid Nigeria’s experience in the oil and gas sector, which has resulted in several oil spills and pollution in the Niger Delta region.
“It is our hope that with this new bill, companies that are into mining and installation of renewable energy equipment take into account the health and environmental implications of their activities,” he said.
Ugbor, who is representing the good people of Kwande/Ushongo Federal Constituency of Benue State, assured that the committee would call for a public hearing on the bill for inputs after its second reading on the floor of the House before it final adoption.
In actuality, achieving Nigeria’s sustainability goals requires modernising the EIA Act. By addressing its current issues, the country can better protect its ecosystems, manage its natural resources, and slow environmental degradation.
The United Nations Regional Commissions convened a high-level interactive dialogue at United Nations Headquarters to present the outcomes of the Beijing+30 regional reviews and define next steps to accelerate gender equality.
UN Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), Mr. Claver Gatete
The dialogue, held during the sixty-ninth session of the Commission on the Status of Women, highlighted both the progress and the continuing challenges in the implementation of the Beijing Platform for Action.
In his speech, the UN Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), Mr. Claver Gatete, reaffirmed Africa’s commitment to gender equality, stressing the urgency of removing barriers to women’s empowerment.
“Although Africa has made significant progress in education, political representation, and women’s involvement in peace and security, deep-rooted inequalities persist. Women’s economic exclusion, the divide gender digital and the impact of the debt burden on gender-responsive investments need to be addressed urgently,” he said.
He also highlighted ECA’s four strategic priorities to accelerate progress:
Legal and policy reforms – Strengthen the implementation of gender laws, align national frameworks with the Maputo Protocol, the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) and conventions of the ILO.
Gender Data and Accountability – Expand initiatives such as the African Gender Statistics Programme to improve data-driven policymaking;
Debt Relief and Financing for Gender Equality – Advocating for debt service reduction to free up resources for gender-responsive investments;
Women’s Economic Resilience and Climate Justice – Promote financial inclusion, gender-responsive budgeting, and equitable access to capital, land, and markets while strengthening women’s leadership in climate action and sustainable development.
The dialogue reinforced the need to forge multi-stakeholder partnerships involving governments, civil society, the private sector and development partners to boost efforts towards gender equality.
The President’s Summary contribute to the global review of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action in 2025, guiding future policy actions.
The Nigerian Alliance for Clean Cooking marked the International Women’s Day 2025 with a Stove Fair at Wuse Market, Abuja. The event showcased the power of clean cooking to drive gender equality, improve public health, and boost economic opportunities, aligning with the global theme: “For ALL Women and Girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment.”
Participants at the Stove Market Fair
Addressing stakeholders and visitors to the fair, Mrs. Precious Onuvae, Secretary of the Nigerian Alliance for Clean Cooking, reiterated the challenges Nigerian women face due to reliance on firewood and traditional cooking methods.
“Over 120 million Nigerians still cook with firewood, leading to severe household air pollution, deforestation, and time poverty, particularly affecting women and girls,” she stated. “Clean cooking is not just an energy solution; it is a pathway to dignity, better health, and financial independence. Every household that transitions to clean cooking brings us closer to gender equality.”
The Stove Market Fair was organised in collaboration with key clean energy stakeholders in Nigeria, including Toyola Energy, Roshan Renewables, Burn Manufacturing, Solar Sisters, Gee Tee Energy, etc. It featured live demonstrations of LPG cookers, ethanol stoves, biomass briquettes, and solar-powered cooking systems.
To make clean cookstoves more affordable, stoves were sold at promotional rates, giving women and other visitors at the fair a chance to own these life-changing solutions at a fair price. This strategy not only puts cleaner, safer cooking within reach but also sparks wider adoption by introducing more households to the technology, helping cut carbon emissions, improve health, and drive Nigeria’s clean energy transition.
The event concluded with a call to action for policymakers, investors, and development partners to prioritise clean cooking as a national imperative
Mrs. Onuvae announced that NACC would expand its advocacy campaigns, implement subsidised stove initiatives, and strengthen partnerships with financial institutions to scale up access to clean cooking solutions across Nigeria.
Climate change is already causing all sorts of problems on Earth, but soon it will be making a mess in orbit around the planet too, a new study finds.
An orbiting satellite
Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology calculated that as global warming caused by burning of coal, oil, gas continues, it may reduce the available space for satellites in low Earth orbit by anywhere from one-third to 82% by the end of the century, depending on how much carbon pollution is spewed. That’s because space will become more littered with debris as climate change lessens nature’s way of cleaning it up.
Part of the greenhouse effect that warms the air near Earth’s surface also cools the upper parts of the atmosphere where space starts and satellites zip around in low orbit. The cooling also makes the upper atmosphere less dense, which reduces the drag on the millions of pieces of human-made debris and satellites.
That drag pulls space junk down to Earth, burning up on the way. But a cooler and less dense upper atmosphere means less space cleaning itself. That means that space gets more crowded, according to a study in Monday’s journal Nature Sustainability.
“We rely on the atmosphere to clean up our debris. There’s no other way to remove debris,” said study lead author Will Parker, an astrodynamics researcher at MIT. “It’s trash. It’s garbage. And there are millions of pieces of it.”
Circling Earth are millions of pieces of debris about one-ninth of an inch (3 millimeters) and larger – the width of two stacked pennies – and those collide with the energy of a bullet. There are tens of thousands of plum-sized pieces of space junk that hit with the power of a crashing bus, according to The Aerospace Corporation, which monitors orbital debris. That junk includes results of old space crashes and parts of rockets with most of it too small to be tracked.
There are 11,905 satellites circling Earth – 7,356 in low orbit – according to the tracking website Orbiting Now. Satellites are critical for communications, navigation, weather forecasting and monitoring environmental and national security issues.
“There used to be this mantra that space is big. And so we can we can sort of not necessarily be good stewards of the environment because the environment is basically unlimited,” Parker said.
But a 2009 crash of two satellites created thousands of pieces of space junk. Also NASA measurements are showing measurable the reduction of drag, so scientists now realize that that “the climate change component is really important,” Parker said.
The density at 250 miles (400 kilometres) above Earth is decreasing by about 2% a decade and is likely to get intensify as society pumps more greenhouse gas into the atmosphere, said Ingrid Cnossen, a space weather scientist at the British Antarctic Survey who was not part of the research.
Cnossen said in an email that the new study makes “perfect sense” and is why scientists have to be aware of climate change’s orbital effects “so that appropriate measures can be taken to ensure its long-term sustainability.”
The President of Sierra Leone, Julius Maada Bio, and the Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, visited the AATF Cassava Mechanisation Facility in Fasola, near Ibadan, to witness firsthand how technology is transforming the cassava value chain and improving rural livelihoods.
AATF Project Coordinator, Samuel Ogunleye (with Mic) introducing the facility to President Bio, Gov. Makinde, and their entourage during the visit. Photo credit: AATF
The visit, on March 10, 2025, provided AATF with an opportunity to showcase its state-of-the-art Cassava Processing Facility, which converts fresh cassava roots into high-quality cassava flour (HQCF). This demonstration underscored AATF’s commitment to leveraging innovative technologies to enhance productivity and create economic opportunities for smallholder farmers.
The delegation’s tour was part of a broader visit to the Fasola Agribusiness Hub, a flagship initiative of the Oyo State Government designed to foster a thriving agribusiness ecosystem. The hub reflects Governor Makinde’s dedication to economic growth through agricultural transformation.
During the visit, Mr. Samuel Ogunleye, Project Coordinator on Mechanisation and Agro Processing at AATF, introduced the facility and highlighted AATF’s efforts in equipping local cassava farmers with best agronomic practices, farm mechanisation services and training on diversified cassava utilisation.
Governor Makinde praised the initiative, emphasising its role in strengthening food security, creating jobs, and fostering economic resilience.
President Bio also commended the partnership-driven approach, noting the significance of technology adoption in Africa’s agricultural advancement.
The Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, sealed off some lounges, hotels, church, fast food centres and others over noise pollution.
LASEPA’s General Manager, Dr Babatunde Ajayi, who made the disclosure in a statement, said the establishments were sealed due to persistent noise pollution and other environmental infractions.
“The agency’s enforcement team carried out operations in various locations, including Ogudu Ojota, Apapa, and Alapere, targeting businesses and institutions that failed to comply with the state’s environmental regulations.
“As a result, several establishments including lounges, bar, hotels, religious centres, retail outlets, fast-food centers, motor servicing centers, and logistics companies were shut down for violating environmental laws.
“Among the affected establishments were Flame Gospel Ministry International, Degra Eng/Electronics, B B Arena Hotel, Becfom Hotel, LA Megga Foods, 3C Hub, Kamara’s Lounge.
“Others are Quincy Int’l Hotel, Hotel De Julianna, J & A Hotel, Bulus Hotel & Century Night Club, Rich Trust Hotel, Gilly’s Guest House, Stac Marine Offshore, Arc Motors Servicing, GHK Logistics Base, Folade Hotels, and Deyus Place,” he said.
Ajayi, however, reiterated the agency’s unwavering commitment to fostering a safe and healthy environment for all Lagos residents.
“Noise pollution and other environmental infractions disrupt the peace and well-being of our communities.
“This enforcement action reinforces our zero-tolerance stance against violators and underscores our dedication to upholding environmental laws,” he said.
He urged businesses and organisations to adhere strictly to environmental regulations to avoid sanctions, emphasising LASEPA’s commitment to ensuring a cleaner, safer, and more sustainable Lagos.
Savannah Energy PLC has announced the completion of its acquisition of Sinopec International Petroleum Exploration and Production Company Nigeria Limited (SIPEC).
Andrew Knott, Chief Executive Officer of Savannah
SIPEC’s principal asset is the 49% non-operated interest in the Stubb Creek oil & gas field (Stubb Creek Field), which is operated and 51% owned by Universal Energy Resources Limited (a Savannah affiliate company).
The SIPEC Acquisition increases Savannah’s reserves and resources base by approximately 30% from 151 MMboe to 197 MMboe. It adds 227 Bscf of 2C gross gas Resources at Stubb Creek Field, securing significant additional long-term feedstock gas available for sale to Accugas customers.
The transaction consideration is fully funded through a drawdown under a $60 million Reserve-Based Lending debt facility arranged by The Standard Bank of South Africa Limited. At completion the cumulative consideration paid was approximately $35.1 million (inclusive of approximately $19.5 million of cash available to SIPEC), with $2 million in deferred cash consideration payable in eight quarterly installments post-completion.
Savannah now intends to commence an up to 18-month expansion programme, which is anticipated to increase Stubb Creek Field gross production from an average of 2.7 Kbopd in 2024 to approximately 4.7 Kbopd.
Stubb Creek Field, located in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria, is a producing oil field with considerable undeveloped, non-associated 2C gas resources. As at year-end 2024, Stubb Creek Field had an estimated 11 MMstb of 2P gross oil Reserves and 515 Bscf of 2C gross gas Resources1. Commercial oil production started at Stubb Creek Field in 2015, with cumulative production of 8.1 MMstb to December 31, 2024.
Oil produced at Stubb Creek Field is processed through production facilities onsite and then exported to the Qua Iboe terminal via a 25 km pipeline. The Stubb Creek Field was converted to a 20-year petroleum mining lease in accordance with the Petroleum Industry Act 2021 and effective from December 1, 2023.
Andrew Knott, Chief Executive Officer of Savannah, said: “We are delighted to announce the completion of the SIPEC Acquisition – the achievement of one of our core business priorities for 2025. Our focus at the Stubb Creek Field will now turn to progressing the expansion project, which we expect to increase production by almost three quarters over the course of 2025/26. I look forward to updating shareholders on this in the coming months, as well as on the progress we make towards achieving the other core business priorities we outlined to shareholders earlier this month.
“I would like to thank the Government of Nigeria for the support that they have shown our Company in approving the SIPEC Acquisition and I extend a warm welcome to the SIPEC employees joining Savannah today.”
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) is calling for nominations of experts to act as Coordinating Lead Authors, Lead Authors, or Review Editors for the three key Working Group contributions to its Seventh Assessment Report (AR7). This follows the Panel’s agreement on the outlines of the three Working Group contributions during its 62nd Session held in Hangzhou, China.
Jim Skea, IPCC Chair
Hundreds of experts around the world in different scientific domains volunteer their time and expertise to produce the reports of the IPCC. Author teams reflect a range of scientific, technical and socio-economic expertise.
Coordinating Lead Authors and Lead Authors are responsible for drafting the different chapters of the Working Group contributions to the AR7 and, with the help of the Review Editors, revising those based on comments submitted during the two rounds of reviews by experts and governments.
“Our priority for the Seventh Assessment Report is to attract the most talented individuals across the whole spectrum of scientific, technical and socio-economic research. We would like to see balanced author teams involving both established experts and younger scientists new to the IPCC. It is essential that we reflect fully the breadth and depth of knowledge on climate change and climate action,” said IPCC Chair, Jim Skea.
IPCC author teams include a mix of experts from different regions to ensure geographic balance. The IPCC also seeks a balance in gender, as well as between those experienced with working on IPCC reports and those new to the process, including younger scientists.
During the 60th Session of the IPCC in January 2024, the Panel agreed to continue to prepare a comprehensive assessment report and to maintain the current Working Group structure where Working Group I assesses the scientific aspects of the climate system and climate change; Working Group II looks at impacts, adaptation, and vulnerability to climate change, and Working Group III assesses the mitigation of climate change.
The outlines of the three Working Group contributions to the AR7 were developed after a comprehensive scientific scoping meeting in December 2024 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, before the Panel considered them and agreed upon them at the end of February.
Those interested in being nominated as a Coordinating Lead Author, a Lead Author or a Review Editor are advised to contact their relevant Focal Point. A list of Focal Points for IPCC member governments and observer organisations is available here.
Nigeria’s Focal Point is Dr Nkiruka Maduekwe, Director General/CEO, National Council on Climate Change Secretariat (NCCCS).
Nominations are submitted through a dedicated online nomination tool by Focal Points in governments and accredited observer organisations, as well as IPCC Bureau Members.
Governments, Observer Organisations, and IPCC Bureau Members have been requested to submit their nominations by Thursday, April 17, 2025.
Oando Nigeria’s subsidiary, Oando Trading, has been officially selected as the preferred bidder to lease the refinery assets of Guaracara Refining Company (GRC) from Trinidad Petroleum Holdings Ltd. (TPHL).
Group Chief Executive, Oando PLC, Wale Tinubu
The selection followed a formal written notification and an announcement by the Minister for Energy of Trinidad and Tobago on Feb. 27, 2025.
A corporate disclosure released through the Nigerian Exchange Ltd. (NGX) on Tuesday, March 11, reported that Oando Nigeria is listed on both the NGX and the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE).
Oando’s Group Chief Executive, Wale Tinubu, said that the development underscored the company’s track record of reliability, innovation, and infrastructure development.
He said these qualities aligned with the company’s strategic vision of expanding across the Caribbean region.
According to him, the partnership serves as a strategic bridge between Africa and the Caribbean, with Oando’s involvement in the refinery acting as a catalyst for deeper Afro-Caribbean collaboration in the energy sector.
Tinubu added that the initiative would pave the way for increased trade, investment, and knowledge exchange.
He noted that the feat highlighted Africa’s growing influence in the global energy landscape and the role of indigenous African companies in driving economic transformation across borders.
“We are honoured by the confidence the Trinidadian Government has placed in us with this award.
“This strategic investment aligns with our long-term vision of expanding into high-potential regions, growing our operational footprint, leveraging our vast technical expertise and global partnerships to finance projects.
“We recognise the significance of this opportunity and look forward to working with all stakeholders to deliver maximum value for all parties involved.
“The refinery, located in Pointe-à-Pierre, Trinidad and Tobago, is a vital energy asset in the Caribbean,” he said.
He added: “It was established over a century ago and historically has been the cornerstone of Trinidad and Tobago’s oil industry.
“With a capacity of 175,000 barrels per day and a Nelson Complexity Index of 8.0, the refinery is well-suited for processing regional crude oils and supplying both domestic and regional markets with refined products.”
Tunubu noted that the next steps in the process involved detailed discussions with the government and regulatory authorities to finalise the lease agreement and operational framework.
“As this process progresses, Oando will continue to provide timely updates to stakeholders and the public,” he said.
