The Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) says Nigeria’s average daily crude oil production has increased significantly to 1.53 million Barrels Per Day (bpd) in January.
OPEC Secretary-General, Haitham al-Ghais
The country, for the first time, met the OPEC production quota of 1.5 million bpd since it was set for the 2024 period at OPEC’s ministerial meeting in November 2023.
The production figure, which was released in OPEC monthly oil market report, showed that the increase was against 1.485 million bpd recorded in Dec. 2024, which represented 54,000 bpd change.
In December 2024, the quota was extended to 2026 as Nigeria produced below the quota for over a year.
According to OPEC, the crude oil production data was obtained from two sources – direct communication with Nigerian officials which is from member countries and secondary communication, such as energy intelligence platforms.
The report showed that Nigeria retained its position as the largest oil producer in Africa, surpassing Algeria, which produced 907,000 bpd in January.
The report showed that Congo produced 251,000 bpd in the period under review, making the country the third-largest oil producer in Africa.
According to secondary sources, total OPEC-12 crude oil production, total DoC crude oil production averaged 40.62 mb/d in January 2025, which is 118 tb/d lower, m-o-m.
“Crude oil output increased mainly in Libya, Congo, and Gabon, while production in Nigeria, UAE, and Venezuela decreased significantly.
“Also, total non-OPEC DoC crude oil production averaged 13.94 mb/d in January 2025, three tb/d higher, m-o-m.
“Crude oil output increased mainly in Kazakhstan, while production in Russia decreased,” the report stated.
The OPEC report further stated that Nigeria’s oil production would likely increase with Dangote refinery nearing full capacity.
“The oil sector remains central to the economy, and the Dangote Refinery reaching full production capacity should help stabilise the petroleum product supply and possibly lower petrol prices,” OPEC stated.
The Country Director, WaterAid Nigeria, Ms Evelyn Mere, says the Akilo Waterworks when fully rehabilitated will deliver potable water to 100,000 residents within Ifako-Agege, a suburb of Lagos.
Officials at the contract signing for the rehabilitation of Akilo Waterworks at the Lagos Water Corporation (LWC) on Thursday, February 13, 2025
Mere said this at the contract signing for the rehabilitation of Akilo Waterworks at the Lagos Water Corporation (LWC) on Thursday, February 13, 2025.
She said the transformative effect of the project on household income and social wellbeing to be derived from the intervention would be unquantifiable.
The project is facilitated by WaterAid Nigeria in collaboration with the LWC with the support of Armani Beauty.
The country director said the project had been long in coming.
She described the collaborative efforts and resilience of WaterAid and the LWC in achieving the milestone as a testament to possibilities that could be achieved through partnerships.
“From the technical assessment, through intense reviews of the product of assessment, to the finalisation of the procurement process, WaterAid Nigeria mainstreamed its key approach of systems strengthening, encouraging government leadership and commitment.
“Without this, it is impossible to achieve long- term sustainability of Akilo water scheme.
“For us Water, Sanitation and Hygiene are human rights and essential basic services that serve as a foundation for reducing the spread of infectious diseases and promoting human dignity,” Mere said.
She noted that the huge burden of lack of access to safely managed water, sanitation and hygiene services impacts heavily on health.
“It may interest you to know that, about 90 per cent of deaths caused by diarrheal diseases are linked to unsafe water, poor sanitation and hygiene.
“This is why in our current strategy, WaterAid is making a strategic shift to interventions that serve large groups of people. Hence, this contract signing and award event is enabling us to achieve this strategic objective.
“We commend Armani Beauty for prioritising water access in their Corporate Social Responsibility commitments, and a huge thanks to the International Programme Director for her support, without which it would have been impossible to get here,” Mere said.
She expressed appreciation to the government of Lagos State and the LCDA’s for being receptive and open to the partnership.
Earlier, the Managing Director of Lagos Water Corporation, Mr. Muktaar Tijani, commended WaterAid for the partnership.
Tijani reaffirmed the corporation’s commitment to providing an enabling environment for the contractor to deliver quality work within the designated time frame.
Goodwill messages were sent by the Lagos State Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, the Lagos State Water Regulatory Agency and the Lagos State Waste Management Office.
The project is scheduled for completion within six months.
The Federal Government has called on radio stations in Nigeria to use their platforms to create awareness about climate change and its impact on the country.
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, made the call in a statement on Thursday, February 13, 2025, in Abuja to commemorate the World Radio Day.
The Day, which is set aside by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), is celebrated on every Feb. 13.
The theme for this year’s celebration is “Radio and Climate Change”.
According to Idris, it is a day dedicated to celebrating the power and importance of radio in our daily lives.
“This year’s theme holds a great significance for our community in Nigeria, as we face the devastating effects of climate change on our environment and livelihoods.
“Radio has always been a trusted source of information and a lifeline for communities, especially in times of crisis.
“In recent years, it has played a crucial role in raising awareness about climate change and its impact on our planet.
“With its wide reach and accessibility, radio has the power to educate and mobilise individuals towards taking action against climate change.
“On this World Radio Day, we urge all radio stations in Nigeria to use their platforms to create awareness about climate change and its impact on our country,” Idris said.
The minister further emphasised that communities could be equipped with the knowledge and tools to adapt to the changing climate and mitigate its effects through informative and educational programmes.
He stressed that it was also crucial for radio stations to collaborate with other organisations and experts in the field of climate change to provide accurate and reliable information to the listeners.
According to him, we can enhance our understanding of the issue and work towards finding sustainable solutions in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda by featuring interviews with scientists, environmentalists, and policymakers.
“Furthermore, we call upon our community to use this opportunity to reflect on our actions and how they contribute to climate change.
“Simple changes in our daily habits, such as reducing plastic usage, conserving energy, and promoting sustainable agriculture, can make a significant impact in the long run.
“As we celebrate the role of radio in fighting climate change, we must also remember that these issues go beyond our borders.
“The effect of climate change is felt globally and it is our responsibility to join hands with other nations to find solutions and create a better future for the generations to come,” Idris said.
The minister recalled that at the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP29) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in Baku, Azerbaijan, Tinubu highlighted Nigeria’s vulnerability to climate change.
“Tinubu also outlined Nigeria’s strategies and efforts to mitigate its impact and implement policies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, enhance resilience, and integrate climate solutions into national planning.”
A 60-year-old farmer, Tolani Aribo on Thursday, February 13, 2025, appeared before an Okitipupa Chief Magistrates’ Court in Ondo State over alleged malicious damage of young palm trees worth N200,000
Economy trees
The defendant, whose address was not given, is facing a two-count charge bordering on felony and malicious damage.
The Prosecutor, ASP Zedekiah Orogbemi, told the court that the defendant and others at large, on Jan.12 around 11: 25 am. at Igbodigo, Ayeka bypass in Okitipupa, Okitipupa Magisterial District, conspired to commi felony.
Orogbemi said that the defendant, and others at large, destroyed young palm trees worth N200,000 on the farm of one Wemimo Akindele over undisclosed dispute.
The prosecutor added that the offences were contrary and punishable under Sections 517 and 451, Criminal Code, Cap.37, Vol. 1, Laws of Ondo State, 2006.
The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges levelled against him.
The Chief Magistrate, Mr Olanrewaju Adelegan, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N100,000 and a surety in like sum.
Adelegan added that the surety, who must reside within the courts jurisdiction, must also show and present evidence of two years tax payment made to the state government.
He adjourned the case until Feb. 24 for further hearing.
The Federal Government and the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) have assessed the country’s readiness ahead of the commencement of operations of the Africa Energy Bank (AEB) in Abuja.
Mr. Heineken Lokpobiri, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil)
A statement issued on Thursday, February 13, 2025, by Nneamaka Okafor, Special Adviser, Media and Communications to Sen. Heineken Lokpobiri, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), stated that the assessment followed the visit of Dr Benedict Oramah, President, African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank).
According to the statement, the visit/assessment was in furtherance of ongoing engagements towards the commencement of operations by the Africa Energy Bank, a landmark initiative expected to transform the continent’s energy landscape.
“The establishment of the bank is a collaborative move between Afreximbank and the African Petroleum Producers Organisation (APPO), which will see the bank take off with an asset base of $5 billion.
“It is projected to grow to $120 billion in five years’ time, marking a significant milestone in Africa’s quest for energy security and sustainability.
”Afreximbank, as a key partner, is transferring her full equity investment in the oil and gas sector, underscoring its commitment to driving energy infrastructure development across the continent.”
Okafor quoted Lokpobiri as reiterating during the meeting, Nigeria’s strong support for the AEB and its pivotal role in unlocking Africa’s energy potential.
He called on industry stakeholders to engage proactively and explore the vast opportunities this initiative presents.
“The bank represents a bold step in ensuring that Africa controls and finances its energy future. It is an avenue for stakeholders to invest in a self-sustaining energy sector that will drive industrialisation, job creation and economic prosperity.
“Nigeria, as a leading oil and gas producer, is well-positioned to leverage this transformative initiative. We encourage industry players to seize this opportunity to invest in Africa’s energy future,” the statement quoted Lokpobiri as saying.
Following the discussions, the minister and Afreximbank president proceeded to the AEB Headquarters for an inspection to assess the level of readiness ahead of the commencement of operations.
The visit provided first hand insights into the bank’s operational preparedness and strategic alignment with Africa’s broader energy development goals.
Speaking on the significance of the AEB, the Afreximbank President, Oramah, emphasised the bank’s role in bridging Africa’s energy financing gap.
According to him, the establishment of the AEB is a game-changer for the continent.
He commended Nigeria for taking the bull by the horn in hosting the AEB headquarters and expressed confidence in Nigeria’s oil and gas portfolio, as it would not only benefit the sector, but would guarantee immediate benefit for Nigeria.
The bank was initially scheduled to commence operations January this year.
A new study released on Thursday, February 13, 2025, reveals that peatlands – a vital carbon store that many people have never heard of – are dangerously under-protected, putting the global climate at risk.
Peatlands
Covering just 3% of Earth’s surface, these terrestrial wetlands store 600 billion tons of carbon – more than all the world’s forest biomass combined – yet only 17% of peatlands fall within a protected area.
That figure stands in contrast to the levels of protection afforded to other at-risk ecosystems, including mangroves (42%), saltmarshes (50%) and tropical forests (38%). Meanwhile, nearly one-quarter of the world’s peatlands are under heavy pressure from human encroachment, with farming the largest threat globally.
The new study, “Mismatch Between Global Importance of Peatlands and the Extent of their Protection,” which appeared on Thursday in the journal Conservation Letters, offers the first global assessment of the conservation status of the world’s peatlands. These wetlands accumulate partially decomposed organic matter, preventing the release of billions of tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) to the atmosphere. But peatlands emit that CO2 when they are drained, disturbed, extracted or removed completely to access resources (e.g., mining or forestry) or to convert them to other uses, such as farmlands.
“This study is a real benchmark of where we are in terms of the conservation and management of peatlands globally,” said Kemen Austin, Ph.D., lead study author and director of science at the Wildlife Conservation Society. “Our research reveals that these vital ecosystems don’t have anywhere near the level of protection they need.”
The authors note that release of peatlands’ stored carbon leads to dangerous levels of greenhouse gases. Failure to protect peatlands puts their carbon stores at high risk and could also endanger global supplies of freshwater, as peatlands contain 10% of the world’s unfrozen freshwater. They are also rich in biodiversity – containing a variety of mosses, flowering plants, birds, snails, fish and butterflies.
Countries with the most peatlands include Canada, Russia, Indonesia, U.S., Brazil, Democratic Republic of the Congo, China, Peru, Finland and Republic of the Congo. These 10 countries contain 80% of global peatlands. And the first five contain 70% of global peatlands.
The study reveals that at least one-quarter (27%) of global peatlands fall on Indigenous Peoples’ lands, where they have been safeguarded by these communities. Globally, the study reports that at least 1.1 million square kilometres of peatlands lie within Indigenous Peoples’ lands and that more than 85% of peatlands within Indigenous Peoples’ lands do not fall within other types of protected areas.
According to the authors, strengthening the land rights of Indigenous Peoples can confer significant benefits for the peatlands – as well as other ecosystems – they manage.
“Our study reveals a really powerful fact – that Indigenous Peoples are already important caretakers of peatlands,” said Paul Elsen, Ph.D., study author and director of conservation planning at the Wildlife Conservation Society. “This is significant because it means that we can improve peatland conservation by strengthening Indigenous People’s land rights, which is a trend that we’re already seeing in a lot of countries. So, we have to keep up those efforts.”
Peatlands under pressure
The study reveals that nearly one-quarter of peatlands are under heavy pressure from human encroachment. Some 15% of peatlands have been drained for agriculture, while an additional 5-10% are degraded in some way, including through the removal of their native vegetation. This rate is even higher in the tropics, where estimates suggest over 40% of peatlands have been degraded. In some cases, peatlands are drained and burned, emitting enormous amounts of carbon into the atmosphere. Between 1.5 and 2.5 billion tons of greenhouse gas emissions are emitted from disturbed and damaged global peatlands every year.
The study also shows that almost half of temperate and tropical peatlands that fall within protected areas are still subject to medium to high pressure from human encroachment. The authors conclude that “the conservation and sustainable management of nearly all remaining undegraded peatlands, and the recovery of nearly all degraded peatlands, is essential to limiting global warming to 1.5°C.”
Though many local communities have long known peatlands – also called bogs, fens, swamps, mires and muskeg – to be important sources of freshwater and home to diverse plant and animal species, peatlands may have gone unprotected because they are remote, difficult to access, not always easily converted to farming, mining or other industries, and have been thought of as unproductive wastelands.
“The multilateral climate change negotiations hosted by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change offer an important opportunity to elevate peatland conservation actions as a climate priority,” said Austin. “But based on the nationally determined contributions countries have submitted to date, the continued disturbance and damage to global peatlands is getting very little attention as a significant and avoidable source of greenhouse gas emissions.”
With some exceptions – such as Indonesia and the UK – most countries do not have comprehensive peatland strategies to support their national climate plans.
And while some countries emphasize the importance of peatlands in their climate plans, they can still face challenges translating these peatland goals into coordinated policies and conservation actions.
“Peatlands offer a huge opportunity for helping to solve the climate crisis,” said Austin. “If we act now to conserve peatlands, then we can reap some enormous benefits – at a relatively low cost.”
The Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited (SPDC Joint Venture) and the Bayelsa State Government inaugurated the Gbaran Biodiversity Action Plan (Gbaran BAP), last week, in which more than 150 people from Taylor Creek Forest Reserve communities were trained in alternative livelihood skills to reduce exploitation of resources at the forest.
General Manager, Corporate Relations Director of SPDC, Igo Weli
The trainees acquired skills in aquaculture, bee keeping, goat rearing, snail and cassava/plantain farming and grasscutter technology and were given packs to start their businesses.
“SPDC is well placed to contribute to the protection of Taylor Creek Forest reserve having successfully implemented similar programmes at Gele-Gele and Urhonigbe forest reserves in Edo State,” said SPDC Director and Head, Corporate Relations, Igo Weli, in a speech delivered in Yenagoa by Corporate Relations Manager West, Amechi Ucheoma.
“With the support of our joint venture partners – NNPC Limited, TotalEnergies and Nigeria Agip Oil Company – we have decided to embark on the latest biodiversity action plan to continue to support the government and people of Bayelsa State in order to maintain the balance of nature at Taylor Creek,” added Weli.
Bayelsa State Commissioner for Environment, Ebi Ben-Ololo, commended SPDC Joint Venture for its commitment to the action plan.
He said: “The state government is interested in the success of the project and is ready to provide support. Strict laws would be enforced against illegal logging and this discipline will provide sanity on the environment, the earth, and Bayelsa State with sustainability.”
He warned the trainees against selling their starter packs, adding: “Together, let us forge ahead with determination and resolve, united in our mission to protect and nurture the rich biodiversity of our land. May our collective efforts yield fruitful results and serve as a beacon of hope for a greener and more sustainable future.”
SPDC Joint Venture commenced the Gbaran Ubie Biodiversity Action Plan in 2016 with consultations involving community representatives, regulatory agencies, subject matter experts and non-governmental ogranisations (NGOs). Implementation of the plan began in 2019 and included training of forest guards and nominees from Okordia and Biseni clans on alternative livelihoods skills and planting of trees. The implementation strategy was revised in 2023 as Gbaran BAP Expansion, which saw a refresher programme for the 151 trainees to sustain the reforestation initiative.
Biodiversity Action Plans are based on the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity, which held in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil in 1992 and aim at protecting and restoring biological systems, especially threatened species and habitats. SPDC says it has been working closely with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) to protect areas such as nature reserves, wilderness areas and habitats for certain species in the Niger Delta.
Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) has condemned the intimidation and rustication of more than 25 students by the Nasarawa State University, Keffi (NSUK), over a planned demonstration. The group demanded their immediate reinstatement and an end to thie perceived crackdown on student activism in Nigeria.
Nasarawa State University, Keffi
NSUK suspended the students for one academic session on charges of “criminal conspiracy, inciting public disturbance, and cyberbullying.”
Their only offence, according to CAPPA, was being members of a WhatsApp group created last year to discuss and mobilise for a peaceful protest against the university’s introduction of a third semester and imposition of an additional fee of ₦20,000 per course for registering and resitting “carry-over” exams.
Rather than engaging with the seemingly legitimate concerns of students, the university – under the leadership of Prof. Sa’adatu Liman – resorted to surveillance and coercion as a response, stated CAPPA, adding that the school utilised security operatives to infiltrate the WhatsApp group, monitor conversations, and identify targeted students for administrative and brute discipline.
For participating in conversations in the group, students who spoke to CAPPA said they were tracked, hounded on campus, arrested, handcuffed, and chained at their feet before being dragged to the police station, where their phones were seized. They told CAPPA that they endured harrowing nights in detention before securing bail – only to be slapped with rustication letters in December 2024.
“CAPPA condemns these inhumane actions and the blatant violation of students’ fundamental rights to free speech and peaceful assembly, as enshrined in Sections 39 and 40 of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria, as amended,” submitted the group in a statement.
It went further: “Sadly, the repression at NSUK is part of a deeper rot. The university’s nullification of its last student union election further exposes its growing authoritarian culture. When the likely result was not going to favour the management’s handpicked candidate, democratic process was simply discarded.
“Higher learning institutions should uphold democracy, critical thinking, and intellectual freedom, providing spaces where students can engage in discourse without fear of retaliation. Instead, we are witnessing an alarming trend where these institutions across the country are rapidly transforming into despotic environments, working overtime to erode student resistance and enforce a culture of silence.
“We are not unaware that the endgame of this deliberate crackdown is to strip undergraduates of critical consciousness, eliminate opposition to the rising cost of education and crumbling learning conditions, and ultimately produce graduates who are nothing more than zombies for the broader society – incapable of questioning or challenging systemic injustices. But what is a society without critical thinkers? A nation that suppresses independent thought and inquiry only breeds conformity, docility, and decay.
“CAPPA stands in full solidarity with all victimised students of Nasarawa State University, Keffi and commends them for taking the initiative to organise against exploitative policies. We call on all stakeholders and unions in the education sector, along with civil society organisations, to speak out against this injustice.
“We demand the immediate and unconditional reinstatement of all suspended students. Furthermore, we urge collective action to halt the growing commercialisation of public education and criminalisation of student organising. This creeping dictatorship in Nigerian universities must be stopped.”
As the official deadline passed on Monday, February 10, 2025, for countries to submit their revised Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement, only 13 of the 195 parties did so.
Jubilation greeted the adoption of the Paris Agreement in December 2015 in Paris, France. Photo credit: unfccc.int
In a reaction, Tasneem Essop, Executive Director of CAN International, commented: “It’s shocking that only 13 out of 195 countries have updated their NDCs, with the majority of rich nations not submitting on deadline, exposing the alarming lack of political will for ambition under the Paris Agreement. We recognise that developing countries would need robust, grants-based public funding to deliver real additional climate ambition.
“Bold targets alone won’t cut it; NDCs must be backed by the resources needed to make them a reality. For COP30 to be a true turning point in climate action, this new round of NDCs must restore confidence and drive a transformative and just transition – one that leaves no one behind.”
Under the Paris Agreement, every country must update its national climate action plan every five years. These NDC plans outline how nations intend to reduce emissions and adapt to climate impacts to limit global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. This year’s submissions should extend their new NDCs to 2030 and outline new objectives for the period up to 2035, setting the tone for a decisive decade of climate action.
The countries that submitted their NDCs on time include Andorra, Brazil, Ecuador, the Marshall Islands, New Zealand, Singapore, St. Lucia, Switzerland, the UAE, the UK, Uruguay, the USA, and Zimbabwe. Among the developed countries yet to submit their NDCs is the European Union, which has indicated it will not do so until September, just weeks before COP30 in Brazil.
David Knecht, climate expert at Fastenaktion Switzerland, said: “The next Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) must catalyse community-driven development. At the same time, the NDCs 3.0 need to include concrete fossil fuel phaseout plans, as agreed upon in Dubai, and we expect developed countries to lead on this, as well as on providing direly needed grant-based finance for the global transition. To signal to the world what is needed, countries must speed-up and present soonest NDCs that set the highest expectations.”
Fernanda Carvalho, WWF Head of Policy for Climate and Energy, said: “Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) are more than just numbers on mitigation, although numbers are a crucial element. We expect countries to submit NDCs that will collectively deliver 1.5°C alignment and climate justice before COP30. It’s now or never for the planet.”
Climate Action Network has called on developed and rich countries to urgently submit their NDCs in line with 1.5°C pathways and for them to be grounded in climate justice.
As CAN has previously outlined in its Guidelines and its letter to the Troika, for the NDCs to be truly transformative they must:
Include ambitious commitments in the energy sector as part of countries’ plans to transition away from fossil fuels, halting the destruction of ecosystems, and other plans for vulnerable sectors.
Enable a just transition for communities and workers, with robust social protections.
Prioritise equity and transparency, ensuring climate plans are developed inclusively with civil society and local stakeholders.
However, many of the world’s largest emitters have cited technical issues, economic pressures and political uncertainty as reasons why they have not been able to meet the UN deadline.
EU officials said the bloc’s lengthy process for approving new legislation made it “basically impossible” to meet the deadline.
China has not confirmed when it will release its climate plan.
Unnamed Indian officials have said they are in “no hurry” to release the nation’s NDC and might submit it in the “second half of this year”, according to the Indian Express. They added that India’s NDC will “reflect the disappointment of the climate finance outcome at COP29 in Baku”, a “hint” that it is “unlikely to be a significant or ambitious upgrade of climate actions”.
Canada, Japan and Indonesia have all released draft versions of their 2035 climate plans, but have yet to submit them to the UN. Canada’s plan has faced criticism for setting an emissions pledge that is less ambitious than what its official climate advisors recommended.
Russia has not made any public comments about when it will release its new NDC. Its last major climate update came in 2021, when it pledged to reach net-zero emissions by 2060.
Australia has indicated it will delay the release of its NDC until after the country’s election in May, “in part due to uncertainty about the ramifications of the US presidential election”, the Guardian reported.
At the COP29 climate summit in Azerbaijan in 2024, a group including Canada, Chile, the EU, Georgia, Mexico, Norway and Switzerland pledged to release “1.5C-aligned” NDCs, but did not offer details on how this would be achieved or commit to meeting the February deadline.
Officials in Mexico – where a new government led by climate scientist Claudia Sheinbaum came to power last year – said it would seek to submit its target around mid-year. South Africa said it aimed to have a new climate plan by around September.
The Ekiti State Environmental Protection Agency (EKSEPA), on Wednesday, February 12, 2025, warned residents of Otun-Ekiti and environs to desist from further dumping of wastes in waterways, preparatory to expected rainfall.
Governor Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti State
Chairman of the Agency, Chief Bamitale Oguntoyinbo, gave the warning during an inspection of dredging work on waterways in Otun-Ekiti.
Oguntoyinbo said that the objective of his visit, with other board members, was to inspect the work being carried out by the contractor assigned to curb flooding in the community.
“I and my board members are very happy with the level of job done by the contractor, assigned to dredge the waterways between Ijemu and Inisa streets in Otun-Ekiti.
“I want to commend the General Manager of EKSEPA, Mr. Olukayode Adunmo, for ensuring that the contractor handling the job delivers a good job.
“I want to warn residents of Otun-Ekiti and other parts of the state, especially from these two streets, Ijemu and Inisa, in Otun-Ekiti, to desist from dumping refuse in the waterways, especially now, preparatory to rain,” he said.
Oguntoyinbo advised the chairman of Moba Local Government Area, Mr. Bamidele Fadugba, to provide waste bins at designated sites for residents to dispose their refuse at affordable cost.
Also speaking, the General Manager of EKSEPA, Mr. Olukayode Adunmo, said that the objective of the project was to ensure that no flood was experienced in any part of Ekiti in 2025.
Adunmo said the dredging of the waterways of Ijemu and Inisa streets was given priority, to ensure that residents and indigenes living in the area were not affected by flood during the coming rainy season.
“I invited the chairman and board members to the dredging site, to see what the agency is currently doing, to avert flooding in Otun-Ekiti.
“Further objectives of the project are to ensure that no lives or properties are lost to flooding in the rainy season.
“I want to commend our amiable governor, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji, for providing funds to carry out the dredging of the waterways, in all parts of Ekiti.
“Recall that, in 2024, Ekiti did not witness any flooding, simply because the agency was proactive enough, and we are not resting on that,” he said.
