Environment
Water Scarcity Hits Makurdi…
Makurdi, the Benue capital and its environs have been hit by acute water scarcity creating fears of possible outbreak of water-borne diseases in the town and other neighbouring communities.
Correspondent who went round the state capital on Thursday reports that water vendors were having a filled day, as a result of the scarcity.
The situation has been made worse by some water vendors who, in a bid to make brisk money now take water directly from River Benue to sell to unsuspecting consumers.
Further reports that areas affected are: Wadata, Demekpe, High Level, Achussa, Nyima, Kanshio, Welfare Quarters, Wurukum, North Bank, Gyado Villa and the highbrow Judges Quarters.
Most inhabitants of the town have resorted to buying water from water tankers and some individual water vendors who buy in large quantity from water tankers and retail to consumers.
The scarcity has also elicited sharp increase in water rates as a 20 litre jerry can of water, formerly sold for N20, now costs N30, while 1,000 litre water tank sold for N3,000 before now goes for N3,500.
Miss Doofan Igba, a resident of Wadata, said that for years, they had no access to pipe-borne water because their area was not connected.
Igba who explained that she had lived in Wadata for over 15 years and never had access to water, urged the government to reticulate the area.
Also, Mrs Iember Eze, a resident of Demekpe, said overtime, they had been surviving on either water from well or water from vendors.
Eze said that even water vendors had hiked the price, adding that not all residents could afford the price.
Reacting, the General Manager, Benue State Water Board, Mr Gideon Shenge, said most residents refused to pay water bills within the state capital and were disconnected.
Shenge said that the board was pumping water regularly to areas that were reticulated.
He said until the whole capital city was reticulated, many parts of the town would not have access to water, especially the new layouts. (NAN)
Environment
Erosion Control Project: Gombe SEC Approves N389m Compensation for Residents
The Gombe State Executive Council (SEC) has approved payment of N389 million as compensation for residents that would be affected by the gully erosion control project at Federal College of Education (FCE) Technical and its surrounding communities.
The Commissioner for Finance, Gombe State, Malam Mohammed Magaji, stated this at the end of the SEC meeting on Friday in Gombe.
Magaji said the payment, which would commence immediately, would be for individuals and organisations along the gully erosion site.
He said almost 1000 persons were expected to benefit from the gesture.
According to him, the compensation is part of the requirements of the World Bank, which specifies that such payments be made to property owners.
Magaji said the payment would also be made to ensure seamless resettlement of affected persons.
“The beneficiaries are in hundreds, almost a 1,000 people; there is compensation for houses, and also for business premises.
“There is also stipends for the elderly living around that area so that they are able to have good livelihood,” he said.
The commissioner for Education, Hajiya Aishatu Maigari, also said the SEC approved upgrade of the five mega senior secondary schools in the state to sustain improvement in the education sector.
Maigari said the upgrade would be carried out based on the needs of each of the schools.
She stated that infrastructure in some of the schools were already being upgraded to global standards.
“We have seen construction of toilets, installation of solar-powered light, construction of roads, school clinics, boreholes and many more,” she said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the state government had on Nov. 23 signed a N12 billion contract with Triacta Nigeria Ltd. for a 21-kilometre gully erosion control work in six communities within Gombe metropolis.
The project is under ACRESAL project, a World Bank-assisted project to address the challenges of land degradation and climate change in northern Nigeria. (NAN)
Environment
Fire Razes Household Properties Estimated at Millions of Naira
The Ebonyi Fire Service, on Tuesday confirmed that a fire incident destroyed properties estimated at millions of naira at the residence of Mr Chris Uchaji, a former commissioner in the state.
Mr Raphael Ibiam, the Chief Fire Officer of the agency, said that the inferno was suspected to have been caused by an electrical spark within the building.
He explained that the fire razed valuable household properties in three rooms of the storey building.
He said no life was lost in the incident as his men responded promptly and was later assisted by the Federal Fire Service.
“At about 0800 hours, there was a fire outbreak at 13 Lawrence Ónór street, off Nna street.
“It destroyed properties in a storey building belonging to Mr Chris Uchaji, a Former State Commissioner for Solid Mineral Development,” Ibiam said.
Uchaji told newsmen shortly after the incident, that he was at the stadium with his wife for morning exercise when he received a distress call from his security man that his family house was on fire.
“We quickly rushed to the scene, only to see many people on a rescue mission as the whole house had been engulfed.
“I suspected it was due to an electrical spark and it started in my wife’s room, where my six-year-old daughter was sleeping.
“The intensity of the fire was high and it spread to other rooms, causing massive damage, but thank God no life was lost.
“I thank God for people’s goodwill and the fire service. Though the state fire service came here, their water finished early, but with the intervention of federal firefighters, they were able to control the fire.” Uchaji said.(NAN)
Environment
Nigeria’s NGO Takes Plights of Local Communities to COP28
Connected Advocacy for Empowerment and Youth Development, a Nigeria-based NGO, has called for the involvement of local communities in decision-making on climate solutions in order to build a sense of responsibility and unity.
Mr Israel Orekha, Executive Director of the NGO, made the call on Monday in his address at a side event organised at the ongoing COP28 in Dubai.
“The event is themed “Putting Local Community First in Climate Agenda.
’’Orekha advocated policy changes that incentivised and prioritised sustainable practices at the local and national levels
According to him, empowering communities through participation will ensure that solutions align with local needs.
He also called for inclusive policies that addressed both environmental and social aspects of clean energy transitions.
The executive director particularly canvassed for the consideration of local community in the clean energy transition plan.
The local community, he said, needed clean energy transition parks and not false solutions.
“Clean energy transition parks not only combat climate change but also strengthen community resilience.
“Local involvement in these parks is key to addressing pressing environmental challenges.
“Beyond jobs, clean energy engagement enhances community knowledge about sustainable practices.
“Involving communities in clean energy decisions fosters responsibility and unity.
“Local job opportunities and skill development can result from participation in the renewable energy sector.”
Orekha also underscored the importance of transparency in decision-making processes so as to discern genuine solutions from greenwashing.
“False solutions can perpetuate environmental injustice, disproportionately affecting marginalised communities.
“False solutions, like greenwashing, hinder genuine progress.
“Thorough research and community input are essential for sustainable solutions,’’ he said.
Reports says that clean energy parks are separate areas used and planned for the purpose of clean energy development, like wind and solar generation facilities.(NAN)