The Nation Newspaper

Tag: environment

  • Amina Mohammed still minister of Environment, says Presidency

    The Presidency has reacted to reports on the purported appointment of Mrs. Amina Mohammed, Nigeria’s minister of Environment as deputy secretary-general of the United Nations (UN), saying “she remains our minister of Environment.’’

    In a tweet yesterday in Abuja, Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the President, Garba Shehu, said Nigerians would be informed on any development concerning the matter.

    He said: “There is a lot of exuberance on the net concerning a UN job for Mrs. Amina Mohammed. She remains our minister of Environment. If there is anything on this that is released officially, we will let Nigerians know.

    “I am pleased to know that she enjoys so much goodwill.’’

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that social and traditional media outfits had reported that Amina Mohammed is set to be appointed UN deputy secretary-general.

    A tweet by Pamela Falk, CBS news reporter for the UN, obtained by NAN, said the world body would release a statement confirming the appointment.

    She is expected to be deputy to Antonio Guterres, who will assume office as UN secretary-general, on January 1, 2017.

     

  • ERA wants Shell to relocate gas pipeline

    ERA wants Shell to relocate gas pipeline

    Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria (ERA/FoEN) has criticized Shell for passing gas pipelines across the surface of Kolo Creek at Ogbia Local Government Area (LGA) in Bayelsa.

    News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) is running gas pipelines across Kolo Creek at Imiringi in Ogbia LGA.

    In a field report made available to News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Yenagoa, on Monday, ERA/FoEN noted that running oil and gas pipelines across water surface was an environmental anomaly that runs against best practices.

    The report was signed by Head of Field Operations at ERA/FoEN Mr Alagoa Morris.

    ERA/FoEN described the development as ‘environmental terrorism’ and should not be allowed.

    The NGO urged the relevant agencies of government, especially the federal and Bayelsa Ministry of Environment to wade into the matter urgently, as the pipeline hinders navigation.

    The report quoted residents of Imiringi community as saying that the pipelines across the water surface of the creek affected water transportation as well as obstructed canoes used for fishing and evacuation of farm produce.

    The NGO quoted Mr Naru Emesua an engineer and resident of the community as saying that the gas pipeline ought to have been buried five feet below the water surface.

    “But what we now see is about two feet above the water level. That is why it has affected navigation on the creek.

    “Most of our women use this creek to access their farms, fishing and business connections to some communities in Rivers State.

    “The economic significance of this creek to our people is immense, especially when you consider the fact that we can access the Orashi River through it.

    “And the crude oil slick we have observed on the creek currently is disturbing. This is harmful and that is why we are calling on Shell to come and carry out proper cleanup of the creek it has polluted.” Emesua said

    ERA/FoEN urged Shell to return to the site and correct the environmental anomaly in the interest of environmental and social justice and investigate the source of the oil leak found in the area..

    “The National Oil Spills Detection and Response Agency and Bayelsa Ministry of Environment should visit the Kolo Creek and ask Shell to take immediate steps to clean up all traces of crude oil slick found between SPDC’s Kolo Creek Logistics Base and Imiringi community and beyond.

    “The people cannot continue to suffer and pay the price of crude oil exploitation simply because the resources were found in their environment.

    “If there are no current oil leaks within the environment, it means Shell is deliberately pouring crude oil into the Kolo Creek; the peoples’ only natural source of drinking water,” the NGO stated.

    Mr Precious Okolobo, SPDC’s Media Relations Manager declined comments on the matter (NAN)

  • Enabling environment panacea for economic growth, says Minister

    Enabling environment panacea for economic growth, says Minister

    •LCCI gets commendation 

    A conducive environment is panacea to economic growth, the Minister of State, Industry, Trade & Investment, Mrs. Aisha Abubakar, has said.

    She said the government had acknowledged the role of local and foreign investments in lifting the economy out of the doldrums, and is relentlessly channelling efforts to ensure ease of doing business.

    The Minister spoke at the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) Investment Conference with the theme “Positioning the Nigeria economy for diversification and sustainable growth.”

    She said the government has embarked on review of limiting factors, including incentives and tariff that have stunted the growth of Small and Medium scale Enterprises (SMEs).

    Mrs. Abubakar added that the government was closing infrastructural gaps and creating free trade zones to make the operating environment friendly.

    She said: “Under the current administration, it behoves on us to come together and articulate pragmatic strategies that will arrest the obstacles that hinder developmental efforts.  The administration has continued with the Nigerian Industrial Revolution Plan (NIRP) as a strategy to drive the economy.

    “The President has also approved the establishment of a Presidential council on the ease of doing business. We have put plans in motion to attract domestic and foreign investments by reviewing incentives and supporting Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).”

    Mrs. Abubakar said a review of the document has been concluded by the Small and Medium Enterprise Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) and other agencies, including the National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) and Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), to ensure a holistic framework that would addressing the challenges of MSMEs.

    She urged private sector players on the need for periodical engagements to attune themselves to initiatives on ease of doing business. She said contributions from the private sector are not only necessary, but imperative to assist the government to create an enabling environment to promote sustainable economic development.

    Mrs. Abubakar spoke of the government’s readiness to bridge the infrastructure gap to attract more investments, adding that there was a need for continuous dialogue between the government and private sector to ensure seamless collaboration.

    Speaking on “Policy Environment for Private Sector-led Market,” Director, International & Bilateral Relations, European Union (EU), Mr. John Clarke, advised the country to key into the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) to successfully drive the diversification campaign.

    He argued that the adoption of a pact like the Chinese model may streamline local production for exports to certain areas.

    “What we see in the Chinese model is the conversion of large expanse of land into monoculture for exporting commodities to China because China cannot feed its population. So the export model is not always good for the host country because it doesn’t create much employment,” he said.

    He said the model moves agriculture away from mixed farming, which has proven unsustainable in the long term.

    “It is recommended that Nigeria should not adopt it. We can learn from the Indonesia model what to do and what not to do. But it has been adjudged unsuccessful because their production for export is at a massive human and environmental cost,” he said

    Clarke pointed out that if Nigeria wished to develop the formal sector for export, there is a market in Europe that would ensure sustainable production.

    “If there is no EPA, Nigeria’s export to Europe will face World Trade Organisation (WTO) tariff, which is high. This will result to an overwhelming comparative advantage over Nigeria,” he said.

    Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode urged the international committee on the need for partnership in the non oil sector.

    He said:“It is obvious the private sector is a critical partner in the implementation of diversification strategies and policy framework for sustainable economic growth. Therefore, I urge participants to take out time to explore opportunities for economic benefits in the agricultural value chain, green energy, ICT and tourism.”

    He praised LCCI for the successful hosting of the just-ended Lagos International Trade fair, saying the fair has promoted trade and investment in the state.

    Ambode said activities, including the International Investment Conference, which charted a course to check trade volatility between Nigeria and the international community; Lagos Creative Industry exhibition, Business to Business fair raised the standards of the fair.

    Ambode said efforts were on to address challenges facing  businesses, particularly creatiing a conducive environment. He pledged to ensure improved facilities for effective coordination of furure fairs.

    Represented by the Deputy Governor, Alhaja Idiat Adebule, said:

    “Although LCCI has carved a niche in the organisation of high quality trade fairs and exhibitions, I am not unaware that the chamber is being inhibited by lack of purpose-built world-standard exhibition facilities that would engender the staging of a more-befitting international trade fair.

    “Our government is already looking in that direction and making concerted efforts towards delivering a standard centre in the state. We shall continue to place priority on key infrastructure and ensure the state is secure, functional and productive through a highly motivated and vibrant private sector.”

    Earlier, LCCI President Mrs. Nike Akande urged the government on the need for an industrial revolution to drive the influx of foreign investments. She harped on the need for strong institutions and strict adherence to corporate governance.

    She said despite the recession, the 30th edition of the trade fair attracted 550 international and local firms.

    “We recorded 427 local exhibitors, three state governments – Lagos, Kaduna and Kwara – and 120 foreign countries, including China Egypt, Japan, India, European Union, Indonesia, Ghana and Pakistan,”she said.

    Mrs. Akande said diversification  should emphasise value-addition because of its potential for increased revenue.

    “The chamber is drawing attention to the need to reposition and diversify the economy. In addition, it wishes to address value addition in the non oil sector with a view to achieving industrialisation.

    “This will enable the government to earn more foreign exchange from commodities and processing. We are moving from over-dependence on oil to agriculture, solid minerals, renewable energy and others,” she said.

    Reiterating the need to support private sector players, Mrs. Akande said: “We would always advocate for a conducive business environment, where private business can thrive. The private sector has a bigger capacity to create jobs and lift people out of poverty.”

    The Chairman, LCCI Trade Promotion and Investment Board, Mr. Sola Oyetayo, thanked participants, institutions and bodies who partnered with the chamber to ensure a hitch-free fair.

    He said: “Overall, we have received commendations that, despite all odds, this year has been adjudged as one of the best in recent years.

    ‘’We have done our best to deliver value to our customers within the limits of prevailing limitations. We assure you all that we will continue to ensure improvement in subsequent fairs.”

  • Making Lagos environment clean

    Making Lagos environment clean

    Globally, the preservation of the environment is garnering more attention, especially with the reality of the effects of climate change. In Lagos State, the ‘Mega City’ status has further put pressure on the government to take extra measures to ensure that the environment remains safe for human habitation. This is why the state is investing heavily in environmentally-friendly projects to ensure its continued existence and survival of her citizens. But how far can these efforts go? MUYIWA LUCAS asks .

    The Lagos State Commissioner for the Environment, Dr. Babatunde Adejare, is a self-effacing man. But given the quantum of the task, Adejare has had to push aggresively in the efforts to secure both the environment and the citizens.

    “Let us not deceive ourselves. Our state is over 25 million in population. This presupposes that we cannot continue to fold our arms and watch things go wrong in our environment.That is why this present administration is investing heavily in environmentally friendly projects that can make our people safe,” Adejare said last Monday at his monthly interaction with the media.

    According to the Commissioner, in the last two months, the Governor Akinwunmi Ambode administration has pursued with vigour its policy on cleaner and sustainable environment through dogged application of its all-year round de-flooding programme, unwavering commitment to the removal of all environmental infractions and nuisances across the state and steady pursuit of an aesthetically appealing state.

     

    Water provision

    According to a report by the Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria, entitled, “Lagos Water Crisis: Alternative Roadmap for Efficient Water Sector,” the State’s Water Supply Master plan puts the daily water demand in the state at 540 million gallons per day (MGD), while production by the Lagos State Water Corporation (LSWC) stands at 210 MGD. The report however noted that the LSWC website put total production capacity at 163 MGD. By 2020, it noted, water demand is expected to reach 733 MGD in the state.

    Adejare explained that the administration is aware of the water situation in the state. To this end, he said the state has embarked on the construction of more water plants, such as the Adiyan II. Besides, he said  State Executive Council (SEC) has approved the construction of the Odomola II water plant, which on completion will serve Victoria Island, Lekki, Ajah, and environs.  The project will be handled by Messers Bryo Nigeria Limited.

    Indeed, the Commissioner boasts that water supply  is being given a new lease of life as most of the state’s waterworks, such as Ishasi, Adiyan and Iju produce and supply uninterrupted water to Lagosians upon the repairs of equipment and restoration of power supply. And to find lasting solution to billing problems, the LSWC carried out and completed the verification  of its customers at Ikeja I and Ikeja II. While the result of this exercise is being awaited, it will soon be extended to other parts of Lagos metropolis.

     

    Huge Cost / PPP

    Although he declined to disclose the cost of the Odomola project, Adejare, however, revealed that the Adiyan II water project, which was initially estimated to cost N54 billion, has jumped to over N60 billion due to the foreign exchange rate.

    At N60 billion, Adejare further explained, it becomes rather burdensome for the state to shoulder the financing alone. This is why the state is partnering with private concerns to execute water plant projects across the state.

    “We are not privatising the LSWC, notwithstanding that there are challenges. The private concerns that have partnered with us will charge moderate fees for their services which will not inconvenience the citizens. At present, we charge five kobo per litre of water and this is not even sustainable. At this rate, the LSWC cannot even generate enough to pay its own salaries,” Adejare explained, stressing that if the government did not seek private partnerships for its water plants, the entire budget would be spent on such alone. He is right considering that the Adiyan II water plant, which is not even enough to sustain one-third of the population, is costing about 10 per cent of the state’s budget.

     

    Waste management

    Adejare revealed a greater plan for waste management and control in the state. For instance, he said the state is now redefining solid waste management, which will ensure that such wastes are bailed and sold, leading to extra revenue for the state. The Commissioner pointed out that waste management would take a new dimension in the state as from 2017. “We are reforming waste management; we are no longer going to do it the way we are used to. By the time we do this, environmental infractions would have reduced,” he assured.

    Besides, he said that in line with the ministry’s mandate on waste water management, the scheduled maintenance of government-owned Wastewater Treatment Plants (WWTP) which are Abesan Low Cost Housing Estate; Oke-Afa Low Cost Housing Estate; Iponri Low Cost housing Estate; and the Secretariat, Alausa have been done.

    Besides, a total of 224 wastewater haulage trucks have been registered, while three septage discharge points – Oregun, Ojota and Amuwo-Odofin, have been registered for  the yearly monitoring of activities.

     

    Waste statistics

    A breakdown of the volume of waste evacuated in the Central, Western and Eastern parts of the state as at last September, stood at 12,303.50; 8,811.50; and 18,375.50. Similarly, the statistics of refuse deposited at various landfill sites last September (in Metric Tons), are: Olushosun – 150,307.00; Solous III – 30,134.20; Ewu Elepe – 11,180.00; Epe – 9.970; Simpson Transfer Loading Station (TLS) – 7,183.00; and Agege TLS – 2,016.90. Oshodi TLS is undergoing repairs and maintenance.

    Also, the Commissioner disclosed that 351 PSP Operators serviced 367 wards in 20 Local Government Councils and 37 Local Council Development Areas of the state during the period under review. Besides, he revealed that 460, 523 recyclable materials were collected from the buy-back centre and recycling banks. The breakdown is as follows: 103,684 Cartons; 46,949 Cans; 184,714 Pet Bottles; 1,284 Bottles; 108,316 LDPE sachets; and 15,576 Paper.

    Through the Lagos State Waste Management Agency (LAWMA), the state engaged a total of 60 ad-hoc staff to clean 13 major water bodies in the state, while a total of 333 Service Providers with 5,500 employees (Street Sweepers) were supervised during the month for highway sanitation.

    Others

    While re-stating the policy of the state government on cleaner and sustainable environment, the commissioner said government was committed to the removal of all environmental infractions and would not relent in bringing about a sustainable environment as well as a livable state to enhance aesthetically beautiful state.  Adejare said the commitment of the government to greening the environment, saying over 800 trees, including 700 coconuts have been planted along Lekki Epe Expressway and another 100 trees at Orile Agege LCDA.

    The Environment Commissioner said that government is poised to control and eradicate diseases such as Lasa fever and malaria through the kicking off of the vector control programme.

    “To control vector-borne diseases such as Lasa fever and malaria, we have flagged off the vector control programme through which we will be delivering effective “deratisation” of markets and adjoining streets in the state with the use of time tested technology,” he said.

    Adejare said the Department of Drainage Services, the Emergency Flood Abatement Gangs and the Drain Ducks have been working round the clock to keep most of the state’s drainage channels flowing. Consequently, collectors and channels have been cleared, seven new ones constructed and reconstructed, while six channels were desilted. He maintained that the “Operation Clean Lagos,” otherwise known as “IBILE”, covering the five divisions of the state, is a manifestation of the fact that the state’s administration will not relent in bringing about a sustainable environment as well as a livable state.

    Given the above efforts, it may well be a new dawn for Lagos environment. But time will tell.

  • Petroleum engineers decry harsh operating environment

    Petroleum engineers decry harsh operating environment

    The Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) Nigeria Council has decried the harsh operating environment caused by lack of investment, infrastructure for gas gathering and distribution and non-passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB).

    Its  Chairman, George Kalu who spoke at the group’s ongoing annual conference in Lagos, said natural gas is the future of the petroleum industry, lamenting that lack of gas gathering and supply infrastructure is hampering Nigeria’s ability to maximise the benefits of gas sale in the domestic market, which currently is more attractive than in the international market.

    He also noted that among other challenging factors, the delay in the passage of the PIB has constrained further investment in the industry to the extent that exploration activities are at its lowest ebb.

    Kalu stated that the level of crude oil and gas reserves addition do not match the rate of production, with rig count declining steadily in Nigeria between 2013 and this year resulting in minimal expectation and new development activities when compared to other producing countries.

    In view of the challenges, the theme of the conference “Transparency in the oil and gas business: An imperative for Energy security and stability,” is rather timely given that oil prices are hovering around $43 per barrel with significant challenges to the local oil and gas environment.

    He listed the challenges in the nation’s oil and gas industry to include funding constraints rising from cash call arrears, exchange rate differential in a cyclical oil price regime, high operational costs due to long contracting cycle time and severely delayed payment to vendors, as well as high cost of borrowing. These issues are affecting the much anticipated boom in the industry, he added.

    “The Nigerian oil and gas industry has also experienced massive capital flights due to bureaucratic bottlenecks in releasing information and prospects, fiscal regime, extant laws and feedback on performance of contractors. This resulted in significant delays in permits approval while providing a breeding and enabling environment for sharp practices.

    “The recent challenges of vandalism and outright destruction of oil and gas facilities has further curtailed Nigeria’s oil and gas production, power generation ability, reduced the inflow of revenue, escalated the cost of environmental remedies and provision of secondary health care facilities as well as increased security surveillance and facility replacement cost,” he said.

    The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Seplat Petroleum Development Company Plc, Mr. Austin Avuru agreed no less with him.

    He said: “Last week, we published our half year result and for the first time ever since we started the business six years ago, we made a half year loss from bountiful profit in the last six years.

    “But still we hope that by 2020, our production of natural gas will fire this economy. We should be refining about half of our products in country by 2020. “Domestic refining capacity of 1.2million barrels per day is realistic by 2020, and domestic utilisation of between 3.2 billion standard cubic feet per day (bscf/d) of gas and 3.5bscf/d are realistic. As bleak as the situation looks, we see hope by 2020.”

  • Residents sensitised to clean environment

    Residents sensitised to clean environment

    The Sole Administrator of Lagos Inland East Local Council Development Area of Lagos State, Mr. Bashiri Abiola Are has said one of the priorities of his administration is ensuring that residents’ well-being is guaranteed.

    This, he said, would be through making sure that the environment is safe and healthy.

    According to him, the council is making frantic effort toward securing the environment.

    He stated this while sensitising residents to the importance of maintaining clean environment through participation in the weekly and monthly sanitation exercises which he and some council officials monitored at Okesuna, Pike Street and their environs.

    Mr. Are, who said strict enforcement of Lagos and council’s environmental laws, would go a long way in keeping Lagos Inland East LCDA in particular and Lagos State in general clean. He expressed his dissatisfaction over nonchalant attitude of some members of the council towards the environment. He said incessant dumping of garbage close to residential areas is inimical to people’s heath.

    At Pike Street off Okesuna Street, Mr Are described it as an eyesore, even as he advised the leaders of the area to ensure that residents keep their surroundings clean at all times. He also urged sanitary inspectors to make sure that residents stopped dumping garbage in drainage systems to avoid epidemic.

    He said: “Our team will continue to let our people know the danger of living in dirty environment. Some of these vehicles have not been driven for over six months or more. We need to inform owners of the abandoned vehicles to remove them. If they fail to comply, then we would do something about it quickly.”

    On youths playing football on the road, Mr Are reminded parents and community leaders of the need to talk to their kids about the importance of environmental sanitation.

    The council chief expressed dismay over some residents’ non-compliance with proper waste disposal system, frowning at indiscriminate dumping of garbage in water channels by some residents which, he said, would have devastating effects on the environment and residents’ health.

    He revealed that the council’s vehicles would help in evacuating domestic wastes from individuals’ homes and also work towards making residents of various communities to maintain clean environment.

    Corroborating Mr Are’s views, the Chairman of Community Development Associations (CDAs) Lafiaji North West (CDA), Chief Magaji Fatayi said in their monthly stakeholders’ meeting, they would continue to appeal to residents to maintain clean environment. On the abandoned vehicles, he said they would persuade the owners to remove them.

    Responding on behalf of the residents, Mr. Mufutau  Abdulsalami thanked the council for the sensitisation exercise.

    The Head of Environmental Services and Waste Management Department, Mr. Babasanya Ayosanya said efforts are being made to sensitise residents to the need to clean their surroundings every day and not necessarily waiting for the routine sanitation days.

  • Lagosians urge to keep environment clean

    A former Lagos State Governor, Alhaji Lateef Jakande has urged Lagosians to ensure cleanliness of their environment daily.

    Jakande, spoke last Saturday during the monthly environmental exercise, organised by Greater Ilupeju Township Association (GITA) in conjunction with Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA).

    Decked in a blue native attire, a silver cap and blue palm slippers, the elderstateman was seen sweeping the floor with other members of the association – all in uniformed T-shirt.

    Jakande, who recently marked his 87th birthday, said it is imperative to take care of the environment for the good of the society.

    According to him, no country can do well without a good environment.

    “This was why we started GITA and we carry out environmental sanitation every month in various parts of the state,” he said.

    He therefore appealed to all Lagosians to make the environmental day, a day of service.

    “We in GITA attach a great importance to this, because a clean environment ig good for the health of the people and that of the entire nation.”

    Jakande noted that Lagos State government has to do more in the area of the environment.

    “The state should give total support to LAWMA and make Lagos a better mega city. Lagosians should also take initiative to clean the environment. GITA has gone round today to keep the environment clean and I hope that will and be a sample for all citizens to participate,” he said.

    A clean environment, he said, is a good habitation and it is to the benefit of all.

  • ‘Embrace clean environment’

    The Sole Administrator Mushin Local Government Area, Olayinka Kazeem has said clean environment engenders healthy living for the people.

    He stated that regular environmental hygiene will reduce high cost spent on diseases, ailments and other health issues.

    While monitoring the sanitation exercise in the local government area, the Sole Administrator observed that collapsed drains and pot-holes would also be given high priority in order to minimise flooding so as to make the streets and roads motorable.

    Kazeem also enjoined the residents to desist from dumping garbage in the drains, even as he admonished them by paying their rates and taxes in order to assist the council to fulfil its statutory obligations and responsibilities to the people.

    Dignitaries present at the event were the Head of Environmental Department, Mrs Adebimpe Adedipe, other heads of departments, top politicians, community development leaders and para-military agencies, among others.

  • ‘How to guarantee safe, healthy environment’

    ‘How to guarantee safe, healthy environment’

    Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode has said the best way to guarantee safe and healthy environment is through planting of trees.

    Governor Ambode stated this during this year’s tree planting campaign held at Oriade Local Council Development Area. The event held at Ijegun-Egba Primary School, Satellite Town Lagos.

    He noted that the annual event was one of the cheapest ways of combating the effects of global warming and climate change, hence the state’s commitment to plant 10 million trees by 2020.

    Represented by the Commissioner for Housing who spoke through Mr. O. Atitebi, Governor Ambode said “planting of trees is very important for our environment because trees provide oxygen, cool the atmosphere, help conserve energy, save water, prevent erosion, save our children from ultra-violet rays, provide food and brings diverse groups together as we are doing today. The state government is solidly behind this year’s theme which is ‘Lend a hand to Save Trees.’”

    He urged the people to plant trees to replace those removed from vast acres of land so that we would be able to reduce the rate of ocean surge and erosion which has the tendency of displacing home and communities.

    Noting that Lagos State has become a reference point in the country in terms of creating a green environment, he pledged his administration’s commitment to pursue the state’s greening policy of total regeneration of degraded sites.

    He pleaded with all stakeholders to support government’s efforts at making the environment safe and clean as it cannot do it alone, even as he appreciated supporters of the programme such as Ecobank Plc and Reliance Towers Limited.

    In his remarks, the Commissioner for the Environment, Babatunde Samuel Adejare said the tree planting programme is to further help in propagating the Green Revolution Campaign geared towards climate change mitigation and adaptation, adding that besides beautifying the environment, the trees help in converting criminal hideouts and open spaces into orchards and woodlands.

    Represented by Mr Adeola O. S., Adejare regretted that human activities are threatening the survival of trees.

    The Commissioner revealed that “the government has embarked on several campaigns that aimed at sensitising the residents to the importance of supporting government so that we can jointly solve some environmental challenges that we created such as dumping waste indiscriminately into drainage system and canals that result in flooding. We are calling on Lagosians to preserve trees and promote landscaping and greening of our homes. It is important to plant trees always and protect existing ones in order to remain healthy and live in beautiful, safe and healthy environment.

    In a chat with Southwest Report, the Sole Administrator of Oriade LCDA, Mr Abeeb Aileru said as a result of the effects of global warming, trees could help communities to mitigate the effects of environmental degradation.

    He said: “The oxygen that we breathe in is emitted from trees for our survival. Trees are so important because they beautify the environment. They help in health-related issues in terms of the cooling effects on our body system. Though we use trees in different ways such as cooking, to do furniture and other things, there is the need to plant trees.”

    The council chief said people’s attitude to trees is becoming worrisome, adding that they do not see the correlation between government planting trees when the people are hungry. What our people need is re-orientation. Let the people see the importance of planting trees, not only to beautify our surroundings, but also to get some health benefits derivable from trees which are so crucial to our survival.

  • Lafarge Africa commits to safer environment

    Lafarge Africa commits to safer environment

    •Inaugurates logistics academy

    Lafarge Africa Plc has pledged further commitment to ensuring safer environment in its business operations.

    To this end, the firm, last week, inaugurated a logistics academy at its Ewekoro cement plant in Ogun State.

    The academy to train and upgrade  drivers’ skills, transport firms’ owners, employees and other stakeholder groups in the logistics process of its cement business, is situated across four locations in three regions of the country where the firm operates.

    According to the Managing Director, Lafarge Africa, Mr. Michel Puchercos, the academy is in line with the company’s vision to build a stronger Nigeria safely, ethically and sustainably through innovative construction solutions.

    “One of the ways to achieve this is through the safe delivery of our products across the country. We commit to operational excellence, enhanced  quality of logistics services, strong road transport safety management, and attainment of our overall safety objective of Clean, Green, Zero Harm environment,” he stressed.

    Puchercos explained that the initiative would impact the firm’s business positively and aid in achieving the desired Operational Performance Improvement.

    The scheme, he further said, would focus on three ‘Ps’- People development; Process efficiency and Performance improvement – factors, he explained, are driven by the pillars of drivers training and development, contractors/transporters development, and logistics staff training and development.

    The Logistics Director, Lafarge Africa Plc, Mr. Hans Mielants, argued that the majority of accidents   on the roads were avoidable. This, he said, was why key logistic stakeholders must continue to develop the requisite skills and constantly enhance their levels of professionalism, which will ultimately make the environment safer.

    He said the Lafarge Africa Plc, is, through this initiative, proactively closing this gap and raise the required level of proficiency for sustained improvement of business and the environment.

    It will be recalled that the firm, in May 2014, launched a Drivers’ Academy for the engagement of certified drivers, who would have passed through a systematic qualification process.

    The successes recorded from this effort, as well as the urge to continue to improve its safety records, Puchercos explained, culminated in the launch of the more, inclusive Lafarge Africa Logistics Academy.