Protesters have suspended themselves from the Forth Road Bridge, a suspension bridge in Scotland, as part of a demonstration over plastic pollution.
Some of the suspended Greenpeace protesters. The public has been urged to avoid the area
Police Scotland has closed the bridge in South Queensferry to all traffic following reports of the protest around 1.05pm on Friday, July 25, 2025.
Greenpeace say 10 protesters are suspended off the structure with the aim of stopping an INEOS tanker from reaching Grangemouth oil refinery.
The campaign group intends to remain there for the next 24 hours.
The Greenpeace climbers abseiled from beneath the bridge’s service walkway, unfurling six giant “Plastics Treaty Now”’ banners.
The group says they will remain suspended 25 metres above the main shipping lane of the River Forth, preventing the tanker from reaching port.
They are supported by a rescue crew on the bridge and a boat team in the river below.
Amy Cameron, programme director at Greenpeace UK said: “Plastic pollution has reached a crisis point: it’s poisoning our land, seas, air, even our bodies.
“The Global Plastics Treaty offers us a once in a generation chance to tackle the problem for good, so it’s no surprise INEOS and its billionaire boss, Jim Ratcliffe, are doing everything they can to stop it.
“Ratcliffe tries to distract us with sports teams and sponsorships, but we’re not going to let him fill our planet with plastic, so he can fill his pockets with profit. Ratcliffe is trying to block a strong Global Plastics Treaty, so today we’re blocking him.”
The action comes less than a fortnight before governments meet in Geneva, Switzerland, for the sixth and final round of negotiations on the Global Plastics Treaty.
Greenpeace is calling for these talks to agree to a cut in global plastic production of at least 75% by 2040, and for the UN to exclude lobbyists from INEOS and other fossil fuels companies from the treaty negotiations.
Road users are advised to use Queensferry Crossing.
A spokesperson for Police Scotland said: “The Forth Road Bridge is closed due to a protest reported to us around 1.05pm on Friday, July 25.
“Officers are in attendance and engaging with those involved.
The Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA US)’s new report, “Traffickers Leave No Stone Unturned“, exposes the large-scale trafficking of mercury from mercury mines in Mexico – located in a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) Biosphere reserve, to gold mines in Bolivia, Colombia, and Peru in violation of the Minamata Convention on Mercury.
Alexander von Bismarck, Executive Director at EIA US
According to EIA’s findings, from April 2019 to June 2025, approximately 200 tons of mercury have been trafficked – resulting, by conservative estimates, to the production of at least $8 billion worth of illegal gold, at current prices. The investigation shows how mercury and gold trafficking intersect with organised crime in both Mexico and Colombia.
Acting on EIA’s intelligence, Peruvian customs authorities stopped approximately 4 tons of Mexican mercury in June 2025, the largest seizure ever reported by an Amazonian country. This groundbreaking case sheds new light on the enforcement gaps and loopholes of the Minamata Convention on Mercury, raising urgent questions about its effectiveness to face the often highly covert and organised criminal groups that control mercury and gold trafficking.
Due to a combination of economic, geopolitical, and market factors, the price of gold has risen sharply since 2023, reaching a historic high in April 2025 with a price of $3,500 per ounce. This was largely attributed to trade tensions between the United States (U.S.) and China, which led investors to look for safe investment opportunities, like gold.
A significant portion of the gold being produced globally each year comes from illegal sources. Estimates for illegally extracted gold in Amazonian countries run from roughly 28% to nearly 90% of total production, depending on the country, while illegal gold mines have spread in recent years, becoming a significant regional driver of deforestation.
Recent studies show that the cumulative deforestation footprint from gold mining across the Amazon reached over 2 million hectares (nearly 5 million acres) by 2024, having increased by over 50% in the past six years. A third of the impact is located in protected areas and Indigenous territories, including on Yanomami, Munduruku, and Kayapó territories.
The current onslaught of illegal gold mining in the Amazon wouldn’t be possible without mercury. Miners use mercury to form an amalgam with gold-bearing sediments. The amalgam is then heated, vaporising the mercury and leaving behind gold. This process, while rudimentary, is central to illegal mining operations across the region and is the main driver of mercury pollution in the Amazon.
This process also releases large amounts of mercury into the environment. Gold mining is now the world’s largest source of airborne mercury pollution, releasing over 800 tons annually into the atmosphere. The mercury used in these operations contaminates soil, waterways, and forests. Mercury, which is a highly dangerous neurotoxin, enters the food chain, bioaccumulates, and causes severe neurological disorders and multiple other serious health problems for Amazonian communities.
Alexander von Bismarck, Executive Director at EIA US, explains: “The toxic flow of mercury to the illegal gold mines in the Amazon has been presented and accepted as inevitable for too many years, it is time to challenge this status quo that affects Amazonian communities and benefits organised criminals.”
From April 2019 and June 2025, EIA has investigated and documented the smuggling of approximately 200 tons of illegal mercury, which represents the largest flow of illegal mercury ever reported globally. The mercury route starts in the state of Queretaro in Mexico where a few active mercury mines are producing dozens of tons of mercury each year in order to feed gold mining demand in the Amazon. Several of these mines are located within the Sierra Gorda UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
Evidence collected by EIA indicates that some of the mines are controlled by the Jalisco New Generation Cartel. As of May 2025, sources from the Queretaro mines told investigators that a new “mercury fever” has hit the region since 2025, triggered by record high prices ($330 per kilogramme of mercury) offered by mercury traffickers, as a consequence of skyrocketing gold prices.
According to EIA’s investigation, Mexican mercury flows to often cartel-controlled gold mines in Bolivia, Colombia, and Peru, with some transhipment via the U.S. For instance, drug cartels in Colombia control an important part of domestic mercury trafficking routes. According to conservative estimates, the smuggled Mexican mercury has been used for the extraction of, at the very minimum, $8 billion worth of illegal gold (at the current price of $3,300 per ounce).
Based on EIA’s intelligence, Peruvian customs authority (Superintendencia Nacional de Aduanas y de Administración Tributaria – SUNAT) disrupted the Peruvian branch of a transnational organised criminal network via the seizure of a shipment of approximately 4 tons of smuggled mercury transhipped in Peru and inbound to Bolivia. The shipment was transported by Ocean Network Express (ONE) on a Hapag Lloyd vessel. This mercury seizure represents the largest ever reported by an Amazonian country.
Alexander von Bismarck comments: “As long as mercury mines remain open, in Mexico or elsewhere, smugglers will find their ways around. The problem must be addressed at its roots.”
While the Peruvian success against organised smuggling is a major step forward in the effort to combat illegal gold and mercury in the Amazon, EIA’s findings raise serious questions regarding the effectiveness of the Minamata Convention on Mercury and in particular its implementation in Mexico.
Several critical issues must be urgently addressed – particularly at the upcoming 6th Conference of the Parties of the Convention in November 2025 – including: the grace period that allows mercury mines to remain open and continue to produce primary mercury fueling illegal gold mines around the world; the lack of effective enforcement that allows mercury mines to remain active albeit formally illegal or unauthorised; the fact that ASGM is considered an “allowable” use of mercury under the Minamata Convention – a loophole that every day hurts ecosystems and hundreds of families across the Amazon.
President Bola Tinubu on Friday, July 25, 2025, appealed to power generation companies (GENCOs) to give the federal Government more time to complete the verification and validation of longstanding debts owed to them.
President Bola Tinubu
During a meeting with members of the Association of Power Generation Companies, led by Col. Sani Bello (rtd), at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, the President assured them of his administration’s commitment to resolving the liquidity challenges in the power sector.
The Special Adviser to the President on Energy, Mrs. Olu Verheijen, disclosed that a ₦4 trillion bond programme has received anticipatory approval from President Tinubu to address the liquidity shortfall in the sector.
President Tinubu acknowledged the historic liabilities inherited from previous administrations and pledged transparency and fairness in addressing them:
“I accept the assets and liabilities of my predecessors, and there is no question about that. But that acceptance must be on credible grounds. I need to wear the audit cap of verifiability, authenticity, and the fact that this inheritance is not a mere deodorant but a support structure for critical economic and industrial promotion.”
The President emphasised the need for patience from GENCOs and financial institutions, noting that government agencies are actively engaging audit and legal firms to scrutinise the claims.
“We are here. So market it to your other colleagues. Give us time to do verification and validation of the numbers,” he said.
While reaffirming his belief in a market-driven electricity sector, the President said the industry’s long-neglected legacy issues are now receiving the attention they deserve.
“This is a longstanding issue that is now being dealt with. I know how much we have been able to save on fuel subsidies. We introduced the alternative, CNG, to bring relief back to the people.”
President Tinubu also emphasised the government’s commitment to creating a stable investment environment and avoiding extreme measures, such as bank asset foreclosures, against the generation companies.
“To our friends in the banking sector, I ask that we avoid foreclosures. Sharpen your pencils, but keep an eraser handy. Let’s persevere together.”
Describing electricity as “the most important discovery of humanity in the last 1,000 years,” the President reaffirmed that access to electricity is fundamental to economic growth and human dignity.
The Special Adviser to the President, Ms. Verheijen, attributed the liquidity crisis to “a combination of unfunded tariff shortfalls and market shortfalls” that have built up over a decade.
She stated that as of April 2025, the Federal Government is carrying a verified exposure of ₦4 trillion in debts to GENCOs, an accumulation dating back to 2015.
“We have since sat with 27 GENCOs – not all of them are here today – and reviewed their PPAs and gas sales agreements to understand the legitimacy of their claims. The GENCOs claimed about ₦4 trillion from 2015 to the end of 2023,” she said.
According to her, the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Company (NBET) – the agency that contractually mediates between GENCOs and the government – has validated ₦1.8 trillion of these claims so far.
“Since that period, we have had ₦200 billion in unfunded subsidies that have accumulated the federal government’s liability.
“So, as of April 2025, the total exposure that we are carrying at the moment is ₦4 trillion,” she added.
However, Ms. Verheijen cautioned that the figure remains subject to downward revision, pending final validation.
“While there is an anticipatory approval of this ₦4 trillion bond programme, it is subject to negotiations and final settlement of agreements. Only the amounts that the federal government validly owes are the things that will make it into the issuance by DMO,” she explained.
The Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, commended President Tinubu for the attention given to the power sector, stating that the administration’s reforms have restored investor confidence and improved performance across the electricity value chain.
“Your Excellency, your presence at this meeting is a clear testament to your unwavering commitment to the sustainability, stability, and long-term development of Nigeria’s power sector. Under your leadership, we have recorded critical milestones in less than two years,” the Minister said.
Adelabu said the Tinubu administration signed into law the Electricity Act, 2023, which decentralises and liberalises the electricity market. This was the first legislation signed by the President upon assuming office.
He noted that the administration has launched Nigeria’s first Integrated National Electricity Policy in 24 years to drive coherence in sector planning and delivery.
He disclosed that over $2 billion in new private capital has been attracted to expand electricity access nationwide. At the same time, the sector’s annual revenue has grown by 70 per cent – from ₦1 trillion in 2023 to ₦1.7 trillion in 2024 – resulting in a reduction of government subsidy obligations by over ₦700 billion.
He added that installed generation capacity has grown from 13,000 MW to 14,000 MW, with an all-time peak generation of 5,801 MW and a record maximum daily energy delivery of 120,370 MWh, achieved on March 4, 2025.
According to him, there has been no national grid collapse in 2025, a direct result of interventions under the Presidential Power Initiative, which has added over 700MW of transmission capacity.
He reported significant progress in narrowing Nigeria’s metering gap through the ₦700 billion Presidential Metering Initiative, funded via FAAC, and the World Bank-supported Distribution Sector Recovery Programme (DISREP), which has already delivered 300,000 smart meters out of 3.45 million procured.
While acknowledging these strides, Adelabu cautioned that the sector is grappling with an urgent liquidity crisis that could undermine the sustainability of ongoing reforms and investments.
“Mr. President, given the grave implications of this debt overhang, including the risk of a nationwide shutdown of generation assets, I humbly seek your immediate support for defraying these obligations, even if partially, over a defined period,” the Minister appealed.
He urged the President to continue supporting structural reforms to ensure a resilient and financially viable power market.
In separate remarks, business leaders Tony Elumelu and Kola Adesina appealed for urgent intervention to preserve operations and encourage further investment in the sector.
“Mr. President, we’ve come to you as a last hope. The generating companies are heavily indebted to banks, and foreclosure threats are real, not because we’re not doing our jobs, but because the system owes us trillions,” Elumelu said.
He commended the Tinubu administration for restoring the integrity of oil production and banking stability.
“Before you took office in 2023, we lost 97% of our daily oil production. Today, we are retaining 98%. That’s transformation. Investors are seeing greater stability and predictability,” he said.
On electricity, Elumelu added: “We don’t need power to complete your transformation, we need power to enable it. Power is critical to unlocking Nigeria’s full potential. We urge you to help solve this debt problem.”
Adesina reiterated the need for immediate liquidity support while raising concerns over gas supply shortfalls.
“Liquidity is the oxygen of our business. Without urgent intervention, generation capacity will stall, and Nigeria’s industrial and economic ambitions will be jeopardised.
“The plants in the Afam axis are underperforming because we have not paid gas suppliers. We propose unlocking 800 million cubic feet of gas through NLNG to boost supply to these power plants,” he said.
The meeting was attended by the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila; the Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance, Mr. Wale Edun; the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris; and other senior government officials, regulators, and stakeholders in Nigeria’s electricity industry.
WaterAid Malawi has reaffirmed its commitment to empowering women in the Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) sector, highlighting their critical role in driving positive change in communities.
WaterAid Malawi Country Director, Peter Phiri
Speaking during the launch of the Professional Women in Water Sector Network (PROWIWS) in Lilongwe, WaterAid Malawi Country Director, Peter Phiri, said women play a vital role in promoting hygiene and sanitation, especially at the household and community levels.
“Women can be effective advocates for improved sanitation and hygiene practices, particularly in communities where they play a key role in childcare and household management,” said Phiri.
“They also have the potential to lead WASH initiatives, mobilise communities, and promote lasting behaviour change.”
The newly launched PROWIWS aims to enhance women’s participation and leadership in the sector.
The network’s president, Phideria Clara Moyo, said the platform would ensure women’s voices are heard in national WASH discussions.
“PROWIWS aims to provide a platform for women to amplify WASH messages, complement government efforts, and ensure women are not left behind in decision-making,” Moyo said.
“We are committed to seeing women take up more leadership roles that will influence progress in the sector.”
The launch event brought together stakeholders from government, civil society, and development organisations, all reaffirming support for gender inclusion in WASH policy and practice.
WaterAid Malawi and PROWIWS said their collaboration would focus on promoting sustainable development by equipping women with the tools and opportunities to lead, inspire, and implement change in Malawi’s WASH systems.
The Board of Directors of the African Development Bank Group (AfDB) has approved $30.25 million in financing for a climate protection and agricultural sector resilience programme in Benin. Thanks to this approval, Beninese farmers, particularly those in northern Benin, will no longer have to fear losing their entire harvest during devastating droughts or sudden floods.
Robert Masumbuko, African Development Bank Benin Country Manage
This initiative will protect 150,000 smallholder farmers against climate shocks in a country where agriculture employs seven out of 10 people but remains at the mercy of an increasingly unpredictable climate. The situation is particularly critical in the departments of Alibori and Atakora, where one in four farmers suffers from food insecurity, well above the national average.
These northern regions face a double burden of climate challenges and spillover effects from Sahel instability, creating additional pressures through forced displacement and border closures with Niger. Climate projections indicate alarming future risks, with cotton production and maize yields expected to drop by 22% and 6.3% respectively, with potential economic losses estimated at approximately 201 billion CFA francs.
“This investment represents our commitment to strengthening climate resilience in Benin’s agricultural sector while responding to the urgent needs of vulnerable farming communities,” said Robert Masumbuko, African Development Bank Country Representative in Benin. “By introducing innovative risk management tools and strengthening local capacities, we are helping farmers adapt to climate change while preventing conflicts and promoting social cohesion in fragile border areas.”
The project strengthens the Beninese government’s efforts to establish agricultural insurance, whose pilot phase is managed by Benin’s National Fund for Agricultural Development (FNDA).
It introduces innovative climate risk transfer mechanisms, including sovereign insurance coverage against droughts and floods via the African Risk Capacity, and agricultural micro- insurance for smallholders. These tools will improve farmers’ risk profiles with financial institutions, facilitating better access to credit and investment opportunities.
Beyond insurance mechanisms, the initiative will strengthen institutional capacities for climate disaster management, deploy early warning systems with agrometeorological equipment, and promote climate-smart agricultural practices. The programme specifically targets 30% youth participation and ensures 30% female representation among the 150,000 direct beneficiaries. Furthermore, special attention is given to social cohesion activities to support peaceful integration of displaced populations in host communities.
The financing comes from multiple sources: $20 million from the “prevention” envelope of the Transition Support Facility, $5 million from the African Development Fund, $3 million from the ADRiFi multi-donor trust fund, and approximately $2.44 million in national counterpart contributions for insurance premiums.
The project aligns with Benin’s National Development Plan 2018-2025 and its National Adaptation Plan 2022-2027, supporting the country’s agricultural transformation objectives while strengthening climate change resilience through innovative instruments such as insurance. Strategic partnerships with the World Food Programme, the World Bank, and bilateral donors such as Swiss and Luxembourg cooperations ensure comprehensive support for sustainable agricultural development, including the establishment of agricultural insurance in Benin.
For Benin’s farming families, this financing represents hope for protected harvests, stable incomes, and a safer future for their children. For northern Benin communities, this project is a guarantee of stability and social cohesion in a strategic region of West Africa, and finally, for the Beninese state, the project ensures financial resilience against increasingly recurrent disaster risks.
The African Development Bank Group says it remains committed to supporting Africa’s agricultural transformation through innovative climate adaptation solutions that protect vulnerable communities while promoting sustainable development and regional stability.
In a historic gathering marking the 40th anniversary of the African Ministerial Conference on the Environment (AMCEN), African Heads of State, Ministers of Environment, and global partners convened in Nairobi under the auspices of Libya’s presidency to adopt a High-Level Political Declaration (HLPD). This milestone declaration reaffirms Africa’s collective resolve to tackle escalating environmental challenges ranging from climate change and biodiversity loss to pollution and land degradation while celebrating four decades of continental leadership in environmental governance.
Deliberations at AMCEN 2025
The declaration set the tone for a transformative future rooted in sustainability, resilience, and inclusive development. More than 1,500 delegates, including environment ministers from all of Africa’s 54 countries, civil society, private sector actors, youth, and development partners participated in the week-long conference.
“The African Ministerial Conference on the Environment must remain at the forefront of shaping the ‘Africa We Want’ through bold, visionary, and action-oriented leadership, Kenya is proud to walk this journey with you, advocating for environmental justice that recognises our unique development needs and circumstances. Let us not only speak with one voice but act with one resolve. The next forty years must be about delivery, not deliberation,” the ministers declared.
President William Ruto had earlier in the week, on Wednesday, made an unscheduled visit to meet with AMCEN delegates, reaffirming Kenya’s commitment to environmental leadership and calling for greater African unity in tackling climate change
Ministers adopted the Tripoli Declaration on Environmental Action in Africa, a bold and forward-looking roadmap outlining key priorities for 2025–2027. The Declaration calls for urgent regional action on drought, biodiversity loss, plastic and chemical pollution, as well as integration of circular and blue economy approaches anchored in science, cooperation, and environmental justice. The final text of the Tripoli Declaration will be ready in a month.
Moses Vilakati, Commissioner for Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy and Sustainable Environment of the African Union Commission (AUC), reflected on the enduring legacy of AMCEN:
“As we celebrate 40 years of AMCEN, we acknowledge its role in helping Africa speak with one voice and shape policies. Over the years, AMCEN has reinforced our shared commitment to resilience and sustainable development. But as we celebrate, we must also look ahead. The road is long, and we must face the realities and challenges we know too well – rapid population growth, the weaponisation of natural resources, and climate change. We must bridge coordination gaps between AMCEN and other bodies. AMCEN’s journey is far from complete; in fact, it is just beginning.”
The High-Level Political Declaration reaffirmed AMCEN’s role as the principal forum for Africa’s environmental agenda; committed to stable and predictable financing for AMCEN’s Trust Fund and UNEP’s Environment Fund and called for a regional multi-stakeholder forum on chemicals and waste management. It also pledged to combat climate change through national and regional action plans; called for a legally binding protocol on drought under the UNCCD and; reaffirmed rejection of solar geoengineering.
The Ministers also adopted the Africa Ocean Governance Strategy and called for national blue economy strategies; established an African Groups ofNegotiators on Oceans and Wetlands; urged ratification of the BBNJ Agreement and extended the Africa Decade of Seas and Oceans (2026–2035) and reaffirmed commitment to biodiversity conservation and implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Framework.
The ministers welcomed the creation of two more Africa Group of Negotiators on oceans and wetlands. Ministers also supported Nairobi as host of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Panel on Chemicals, Waste and Pollution, strengthening Africa’s visibility in global environmental governance. The Declaration endorsed convening the next AMCEN as a joint session with African Finance Ministers, linking environmental imperatives with economic planning and budgeting.
Outgoing AMCEN President, Dr. Fitsum Assefa Adela, Minister of Planning and Development of Ethiopia, emphasised the need for AMCEN to evolve from dialogue to delivery: “This milestone marks not just the end of a chapter, but the beginning of a more ambitious phase. AMCEN must now become the platform for transformative action, not just declarations.”
Incoming AMCEN President, Dr. Ibrahim A. Munir, Minister of Environment of the State of Libya, pledged to uphold and accelerate AMCEN’s implementation agenda: “Libya is honoured to host this 20th session and assume AMCEN’s presidency at such a critical moment. We must now move from commitments to concrete delivery across all sectors and regions.”
Elizabeth Maruma Mrema, Deputy Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), lauded AMCEN’s enduring role in shaping Africa’s environmental destiny: “UNEP stands ready to provide technical and policy support to help turn these important conversations into actions that deliver impact where it is most needed. That’s why the theme of UNEA-7, to be held here in Nairobi in December, is “Advancing sustainable solutions for a resilient planet.”
From Reflection to Action
The session was preceded by a Regional Consultative Meeting of Major Groups and Stakeholders from July 10 to 13. The voices of civil society, Indigenous Peoples, women, youth, and academia were reflected in the declaration, which emphasised policy coherence, environmental data systems, and integrated planning between environment and finance ministries.
David Munene, Regional Facilitator of the Africa Major Groups and Stakeholders, urged ministers to maintain momentum beyond Nairobi:
“Beyond today, AMCEN must be bold in achieving its environmental targets, strengthening the link between coordination and implementation in Africa.” He further urged, “AMCEN to elevate the role of MGS Africa, civil society and academia in a youth and gender-inclusive manner.”
Africa Major Groups and Stakeholders, called for urgent halting and reversing biodiversity loss and restoration, a legally binding instrument covering the full life cycle of plastics, mercury pollution elimination, an ambitious Global Goal on Adaptation with clear indicators and requisite means of implementation, and meaningful stakeholder engagement.
The newly launched AMCEN@40 Anniversary Report was unveiled to honour the body’s legacy, which includes the creation of the Bamako Convention and Africa’s collective voice in global negotiations, including the Paris Agreement, UNCBD, and future COPs.
With a renewed sense of purpose, strong political backing, and united action, AMCEN enters its fifth decade poised to support Africa’s just, green, and resilient future.
The Bolowei (Traditional Prime Minister) of Gbaramatu Kingdom in Delta State, Dr Wellington Okirika, has commended Sen. Ned Nwoko (APC-Delta) for his bold stance on the proper implementation of the 13 per cent derivation fund.
Senator Ned Nwoko
Okirika, a renowned Niger Delta elder statesman, described Nwoko, representing Delta North Senatorial District, as a true patriot and fearless advocate of equity for the oil-producing region.
This is contained in a statement from the Ned Nwoko Media Directorate and made available in Abuja on Friday, July 25, 2025.
According to the statement, the elder statesman also known as “Mr. 13 per cent Derivation Fund” due to his long-standing activism for host communities, expressed his appreciation during a meeting with the lawmaker.
He said his confidence in Nwoko’s leadership prompted him to take the 30-year injustice allegedly perpetuated by some governors in the region directly to the lawmaker.
“You proved to me that you are a true leader by your actions towards the deliberate act of unpatriotism done against the people of the Niger Delta region,” he said.
Okirika, who is the founding Executive Chairman of the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC) and a founding father of the Host Communities of Nigeria Producing Oil and Gas (HOSCON), described the Delta North Senator as “one of the best leaders in Nigeria who hate oppression and is very vocal”.
He expressed optimism that the lawmaker’s intervention would mark a turning point in the legal and legislative redress of what he termed a long-standing economic injustice to the host communities.
According to him, communities in Delta Central and Delta South Senatorial Zones “are closely following your activities at the National Assembly and are impressed by your dedication and unique commitment to issues of national and regional significance.”
“We believe the governors will hear from you shortly and the Niger Delta region will never forget you as you take the motion for an act to urgently commence the legal implementation of the 13 per cent derivation fund to reflect the legislative compliance of Section 162(2).
“This section mandates the Federal Government to pay the 13 per cent directly to host communities,” Okirika added.
The House of Representatives committee on Renewable Energy has said that Nigeria has 50 per cent unmet needs in the renewable energy skilled labour sector.
Chairman, House Committee on Renewable Energy, Rep. Afam Ogene
The Chairman, House Committee on Renewable Energy, Rep. Afam Ogene, said this during the Africa Policy Dialogue (APD) workshop, with theme: “Green jobs and low carbon transition,” in Abuja on Thursday, July 24, 2025.
Ogene said that the unmet needs had impeded employment of quality technicians and employees in the sector.
“Today, nearly 50 per cent of skilled labour needs in Nigeria’s renewable sector remain unmet.
“Employers across the country consistently report difficulty hiring qualified technicians, engineers and system operators,” he said.
He also affirmed the gap in local equipment manufacturing, saying that most of the equipment used in renewable energy power generation were imported.
According to him, this has the potential to cause loss of green job opportunities.
Ogene, however, said that this development was not as a result of shortage of raw resources for local manufacturers, but because of the skill gaps and inadequate policies to ensure knowledge transfer.
He explained that the gap was not just a workforce problem, but a policy issue.
The lawmaker noted that China, through its green job programme, backed by government policies and funding, had recorded over seven million green jobs.
He called on academic institutions in Nigeria to align with the energy transition demands.
Ogene, who reiterated the legislature’s commitment to improved renewable energy delivery, said that lawmakers recognised the importance of crafting effective green jobs legislation for women and youths.
This, he said, required meticulous work to ensure alignment with existing laws and potency in achieving the goals.
“With my team of experienced colleagues, expert legal advisors and skilled legislative drafters, we’re confident in delivering a comprehensive and impactful law the nation will be proud of,” he said.
The Speaker, House of Representatives, Rep. Abbas Tajudeen, said that the dialogue was in accordance with the role of the 10th Assembly, which aligned with the broader oversight and legislative responsibility.
Abbas, represented by the Deputy Minority Whip, Rep. George Ozodinobi, expressed the national assembly’s commitment to investigating policy gaps and proposing solutions that were meaningful, realistic and impactful in addressing the challenge.
“Let me sincerely thank the honourable chairman and members of the committee on renewable energy for their diligence, foresight and relentless efforts in championing this important cause.
“As a responsible People’s House, we are fully aware of the strategic importance of green energy, not just because of its environmental significance but also due to its immense economic potential,” he said.
Tajudeen said that the loud and urgent call for a just energy transition in Nigeria was a reflection of a dual reality, that is, the vulnerability to the impacts of climate change and the untapped renewable energy potential.
He restated the determination of the parliament to collaborate with relevant stakeholders in creating jobs to improve energy access, from preserving the ecosystems to reducing dependency on fossil fuels.
The speaker stated that the legislative agenda placed strong emphasis on energy transition as a key pillar in tackling unemployment and environmental degradation.
According to him, Nigeria is at a critical juncture where bold and deliberate policy choices can determine the expected leap into a sustainable future or remain stalled by outdated systems.
He called for an urgent action to tap into the renewable energy as a way forward in tackling youth unemployment and under-employment.
Also speaking, a representative of INCLUDE Knowledge platform, Ms Victoria Manya, expressed the platform ‘s belief in not just transition but increasing renewable energy skills in Africa.
Manya, however, warned that the low-carbon transition risked becoming the handmaiden of fossil fuel interests – delivering decarbonisation targets on paper.
“What we must do is reclaim the transition – not only as a climate imperative—but as a generational opportunity to rewrite our social contract.
“In Nigeria, the data is clear: too many young people are unemployed or underemployed, and too many women are shut out of emerging green sectors.
“A just transition must not only ask how we reduce emissions – but who gets the new jobs, who trains the workforce and who shapes the policies,” she said.
Manya said that Nigeria stood at the same global threshold with bigger renewable energy nations, with a unique opportunity to lead Africa in embedding labour justice into climate action.
The Media Awareness and Justice Initiative (MAJI), a non-governmental organisation, has called on the government to leverage data in developing policies, enforcing regulations, and raising awareness on the impact of climate change. The call was made during a stakeholders’ consultation forum organised by MAJI for civil society organisations and environmentalists in Port Harcourt on Friday, July 25, 2025.
Malam Balarabe Lawal, Minister of Environment
MAJI’s Executive Coordinator, Mr. Onyekachi Okoro, emphasised the importance of the forum’s theme, “Strengthening Data for Climate Action in Nigeria.”
Okoro stressed the critical role of data-driven decision-making in addressing climate challenges.
According to him, MAJI plans to collect relevant data and develop a baseline document to serve as a reference point for tracking progress.
“This baseline document will be used to engage stakeholders, build capacity, and provide technical training to improve environmental governance across the country,” he said.
He expressed concern over the poor air quality in Port Harcourt, describing it as a major health threat due to the cumulative impact of fossil fuel production, artisanal refining, and gas flaring.
Okoro also cited additional concerns such as emissions from vehicular movement and heavy machinery, which he said posed a significant risk to public health.
He urged the government to prioritise the protection of lives and livelihoods by using available data to shape effective climate policies and enforce environmental regulations.
Okoro also stressed the need for sustained public awareness campaigns to educate citizens about the dangers of climate change and the importance of environmental protection.
He reaffirmed MAJI’s commitment to promoting climate justice and encouraging the use of green energy solutions. such as solar and other renewable sources, to reduce environmental impact.
Also speaking, Mr. Steve Obodoekwe, an environmentalist from the Centre for Environment, Human Rights and Development, highlighted the dangers of poor air quality in the Niger Delta region.
Obodoekwe noted that while issues like land and water pollution received considerable attention, “air pollution is often overlooked, despite its severe and silent toll on human health.”
He commended MAJI for its continued efforts in advocating for clean air in Rivers, and the wider Niger Delta region.
GAIA Africa hosted an online media briefing for African journalists ahead of the resumed fifth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-5.2) on the Global Plastics Treaty. Held on July 24, 2025, the session emphasised the critical role of journalists in amplifying the key priorities of African civil society, urging governments to adopt an ambitious position against plastic pollution, and unpacking the treaty’s regional implications.
Africa has played a leading role in the Global Plastics Treaty negotiations, beginning with the adoption of AMCEN Decision 19/2 – a landmark mandate by African ministers that firmly established the continent’s priorities. This decision solidified the African Group of Negotiators’ (AGN) common position, committing the region to advocate for a legally binding global treaty that addresses plastic pollution across its entire lifecycle – from production to disposal – while safeguarding human health and the environment.
Since then, Africa has consistently demonstrated unity, leadership, and moral authority on the international stage, gaining global recognition and respect. As the negotiations advance, this momentum must not waver. Leaders must now carry this spirit forward into INC-5.2 with renewed determination, upholding their commitments and acting with the courage, integrity, and ambition this moment demands.
Merrisa Naidoo, GAIA Africa’s Plastics Programme Manager and a leading coordinator of the region’s engagement in the Global Plastics Treaty process since INC-1, delivered a timely briefing on the treaty’s progress and the continent’s priorities ahead of INC-5.2 this August. She underscored that while the science is clear and global support for a bold, binding treaty to end plastic pollution is stronger than ever, the process is being held back by a lack of good faith and political will.
“Now, more than ever, we need courageous leadership,” Naidoo stressed. “We have the evidence. We have the momentum. What we’re missing is the commitment to act.”
Civil society members from across Africa, who actively advocate for a strong Global Plastics Treaty, shared their expectations ahead of the upcoming negotiations. Drawing on diverse backgrounds and lived experiences, these speakers highlighted critical issues, including the elimination of toxic chemicals in plastics, the establishment of a robust and equitable financial mechanism, and, most urgently, the need to reduce plastic production at the source.
Their powerful interventions represented voices from South Africa, Ethiopia, Ghana, Egypt, Nigeria, and Kenya, demonstrating a united continental call for an ambitious treaty that puts people and the planet before profit. When it comes to the African people, unity can be seen from south to north, from east to west.
Eskedar Awgichew of EcoJustice Ethiopia shared his perspective, stating, “in my country, Ethiopia, we are witnessing a growing surge in petrochemical infrastructure linked to plastic production. Yet local communities face a serious gap in environmental oversight and public health protection. This is where harm begins, and where justice must be rooted”.
Mohamed Kamal of the Greenish Foundation, Egypt, emphasised: “We need African negotiators to connect with the pollution we face on the ground and recognise that waste management alone is not enough to solve the problem, and we have to tackle it at the source, at production.”
Rico Euripidou of groundWork in South Africa stated, “There are an alarming 16000 chemicals found in plastics, and we need a Plastics Treaty that eliminates the most harmful toxic chemicals in plastics.”
This was further emphasised by Dorothy Otieno of CEJAD Kenya, citing that “research conducted in Africa has revealed the presence of toxic chemicals in children’s toys and the food chain.” She underscored that this treaty is fundamentally an African treaty, and as a net importer of plastics, the continent stands to benefit significantly from the elimination of toxic chemicals in plastics.
Nadine Wahab of Sustainable Network Egypt powerfully called out that we are at a stage of the negotiations where we must prioritise effective, inclusive, and transparent decision-making. “We need to restore trust in multilateralism. The INC must not fall into the traps we’ve seen in other environmental processes, particularly the climate negotiations, where procedural ambiguity and politicisation have hindered ambition.”
“Many African countries are burdened by substantial debt, and there is an urgent need for the Plastics Treaty to establish a dedicated Multilateral Fund (MLF) to support effective implementation across the continent,” said Jacob Johnson Attakpah from GAYO Ghana.
Finally, Sarah Onuoha of SRADeV Nigeria highlighted the critical importance of the human rights impacts that plastic pollution has, stating: “We must recognise that plastic pollution directly impacts livelihoods. In the Nigerian context, journalists have a key role to play in advocating for environmental justice and promoting solutions that alleviate poverty while supporting national development efforts.”
With INC-5.2 on the horizon, speakers urged the Global South to stand united and approach the negotiations with determination and urgency. The road ahead may be challenging, but Africa’s message is resolute: we will not back down, nor will we settle for anything less than a treaty that delivers real solutions to end plastic pollution.
